Civics Academic Vocab (LA standards)

Citizenship

• Status of being a member of a nation.

• A legal document granting residency.

• A form of government participation.

• A type of cultural identity.

Preamble

• Introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution.

• A section outlining the amendments to the Constitution.

• A declaration of independence from British rule.

• A summary of the Bill of Rights.

Amendment

• Formal change to the Constitution.

• A temporary law passed by Congress.

• A type of judicial review.

• An executive order issued by the President.

Interest Group

• Organization seeking to influence public policy.

• A group that provides financial support to political candidates.

• An entity that conducts scientific research for public benefit.

• A social club for networking among professionals.

Judicial Branch

• Interprets laws and administers justice.

• Creates laws and policies.

• Enforces laws and regulations.

• Advises on legal matters.

Republic

• Head of state elected, not a monarch.

• Government led by a king or queen.

• A system where citizens have no voting rights.

• A form of government with a dictator.

Bicameral

• Legislative body with two chambers.

• A system of government with one chamber.

• A type of law that applies to all states.

• A political party with multiple factions.

Legislature

• Governing body that makes laws.

• A group of citizens who vote on laws.

• An organization that enforces laws.

• A body that interprets laws.

Checks and Balances

• Limits powers of each government branch.

• Allows one branch to dominate the others.

• Eliminates the need for a judicial branch.

• Encourages collaboration between branches.

Separation of Powers

• Divides government into three branches.

• Concentrates power in a single branch.

• Eliminates checks and balances.

• Creates a unitary government.