WGU C963 Terms And Definition For American Politics
And The US Constitution | Verified 2022/2023
Natural Rights
The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may
take them away.
State of Nature
A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence.
Due Process
The requirement that government, when dealing with people, have in place a fair
procedure which it equally applies to all.
Social Contract
An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be
governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Bicameral Legislature
A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers.
Popular Vote
An election in which the winner is determined by the number of individual votes
obtained.
Virginia Plan
A plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house
based on each state's population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen
by the lower house.
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one
vote.
Great Compromise
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise. A compromise between the Virginia Plan
and the New Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature; representation based on
population in the House of Representatives and equal representation of states in the
Senate.
Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a
state's free population and 60 percent of its slave population for both federal taxation
and representation in Congress.
Veto
The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by
another branch; requires the different parts of government to work together..
Separation of Powers
The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
Federal System
, A form of government which power is divided between state governments and a
national government.
Enumerated Powers
The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution; power to
regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin
money, and conduct foreign affairs.
Reserved Powers
Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government;
powers reserved to the states and denied to the federal government.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Ratification
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement,
making it officially valid.
Republic
A system of government in which power is given to the people through their ability to
elect representatives who make laws on their behalf.
Habeas Corpus
The right to know, before a judge, why you have been detained.
The Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays, written and published in favor of ratifying the Constitution.
Faction
A group who gathers together to advocate for their special interest.
Impeachment
A process of removing government officials suspected of criminal activity, including
judges and even the president. It requires a majority vote in the House of
Representatives to accept articles of impeachment. Two-thirds of the Senate must then
vote to remove the person.
Executive Orders
Rules or orders that are issued by the President and have the force of law.
Inherent Power
The powers neither enumerated nor implied but assumed to exist as a direct result of
the country's existence.
Oversight
The right to review and monitor other bodies such as the executive branch.
Committees
A small set of representatives tasked with considering, researching, introducing, and
investigating particular policy areas.
Discretionary Spending
Spending that can be altered from year to year through the appropriations process.
Budget Resolution
A model of what the government plans to spend and take in as revenue over the next
fiscal year. Includes a set of budget priorities and discretionary spending limits.
Pork-barrel Spending
Spending on often unnecessary local projects that benefit a specific member of
Congress' district or state.
And The US Constitution | Verified 2022/2023
Natural Rights
The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may
take them away.
State of Nature
A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence.
Due Process
The requirement that government, when dealing with people, have in place a fair
procedure which it equally applies to all.
Social Contract
An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be
governed so long as the government protects their natural rights.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Bicameral Legislature
A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers.
Popular Vote
An election in which the winner is determined by the number of individual votes
obtained.
Virginia Plan
A plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house
based on each state's population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen
by the lower house.
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one
vote.
Great Compromise
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise. A compromise between the Virginia Plan
and the New Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature; representation based on
population in the House of Representatives and equal representation of states in the
Senate.
Three-Fifths Compromise
A compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a
state's free population and 60 percent of its slave population for both federal taxation
and representation in Congress.
Veto
The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress.
Checks and Balances
A system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by
another branch; requires the different parts of government to work together..
Separation of Powers
The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
Federal System
, A form of government which power is divided between state governments and a
national government.
Enumerated Powers
The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution; power to
regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin
money, and conduct foreign affairs.
Reserved Powers
Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government;
powers reserved to the states and denied to the federal government.
Political Ideologies
Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government.
Ratification
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement,
making it officially valid.
Republic
A system of government in which power is given to the people through their ability to
elect representatives who make laws on their behalf.
Habeas Corpus
The right to know, before a judge, why you have been detained.
The Federalist Papers
A series of 85 essays, written and published in favor of ratifying the Constitution.
Faction
A group who gathers together to advocate for their special interest.
Impeachment
A process of removing government officials suspected of criminal activity, including
judges and even the president. It requires a majority vote in the House of
Representatives to accept articles of impeachment. Two-thirds of the Senate must then
vote to remove the person.
Executive Orders
Rules or orders that are issued by the President and have the force of law.
Inherent Power
The powers neither enumerated nor implied but assumed to exist as a direct result of
the country's existence.
Oversight
The right to review and monitor other bodies such as the executive branch.
Committees
A small set of representatives tasked with considering, researching, introducing, and
investigating particular policy areas.
Discretionary Spending
Spending that can be altered from year to year through the appropriations process.
Budget Resolution
A model of what the government plans to spend and take in as revenue over the next
fiscal year. Includes a set of budget priorities and discretionary spending limits.
Pork-barrel Spending
Spending on often unnecessary local projects that benefit a specific member of
Congress' district or state.
