Ch. 7 Vocabulary Flash Cards: The Constitution

democracy

• a form of government in which the people rule, either directly or through elected representatives

• a system where a single ruler has absolute power

• a government system based on hereditary rule

• a political system where decisions are made by a small group of elites

constitution

• a written plan of government

• a type of law

• a form of currency

• a political party

debate

• a discussion involving people or groups stating opposing points of view

• a casual conversation between friends

• a formal agreement between parties

• a type of competitive sport

preamble

• an introduction that states the purpose of a document

• a summary of the main points of a document

• a conclusion that wraps up the document

• a list of references used in the document

compromise

• an agreement where one party wins everything

• settlement of a dispute by each side giving up something and getting something

• an argument that leads to a fight

• the act of refusing to negotiate

convention

• a formal agreement between countries

• a meeting or assembly of persons coming together on specific matters of common concern

• a type of social gathering for entertainment

• a set of rules or practices followed by a group

checks and balances

• a system that gives each branch of government certain powers to limit the power of the other branches

• a method for increasing the power of the executive branch

• a process for electing government officials

• a strategy for reducing government spending

rights

• powers, privileges, or claims possessed by someone and protected by law

• legal entitlements granted by a government

• social norms that dictate behavior

• moral principles that guide actions

legislative branch

• the branch of government that makes the laws

• the branch that enforces laws

• the branch that interprets laws

• the branch that conducts elections

judicial branch

• the branch of government responsible for interpreting and applying laws

• the branch of government that creates laws

• the branch of government that enforces laws

• the branch of government that manages foreign relations