United States Government

Vocabulary Part 1
Victoria Boyer

Anti-federalists
a person who opposes the adoption of the
United States Constitution
The antifederalists were often up against the
federalists because they had opposing views
on the ratification of the United States
Constitution.

Administration
the group of people who work for the
executive branch under a specific president
The administration currently is working under
President Barack Obama.


Bills
proposed laws
There was a bill passed by the 113
th
Congress
to help the Sandy relief efforts.

Bill of Rights
Laws specifying human rights; a list of basic
human rights as guaranteed by the laws of a
country
The Bill of Rights has protected many people
in their fight for justice.

Bicameral
A governmental body with two houses or
chambers
The United States House of Representatives
and Senate makes up a bicameral legislature.

Bureaucracy
A type of organization, either in government
or the private sector, having the following
features: a clear formal structure, a division of
labor, and a set of rules and procedures by
which it operates
In every country the bureaucracy is abused,
with more or less reason, for
Unprogressiveness, timidity and red-tape
Census
Official count of the United States population
Julie was worried about filling out the
paperwork correctly for the next census
because she was about to have a baby.

Chief Executive
Another title for President, who holds the
executive power to run government programs
and implement laws that are passed by
Congress.
Greg was confused when his friend referred to
the president as the chief executive because
he did not realize that the two terms are
interchangeable.
Commander in Chief
Supreme command of a countrys armed
forces
Many people dont realize that the President
is also the Commander in Chief.
Chief of Staff
The official who manages the everyday
operations of the White House Office or who
may serve as the primary presidential adviser
who controls all access to the president and
helps map political strategy
The Chief of Staff always knows whats going
on and is in control.
Chief of State
Another title for the president, takes on the
role of the symbolic figurehead of the United
States; also known as the head of state
Many people get the Chief of State and Head
of State confused because they dont realize
that these two terms are interchangeable.
Checks and Balances
The system that gives each branch of
government the power to change or cancel
acts of another branch, the system prevents
any branch from exerting too much power
The checks and balances of the government
can be thought of as a big twisting triangle.
Constituents
The people of a particular geographic area
who are represented by a lawmaking body
It is very important that government officials
keep the constituents happy because they are
the ones that keep in them in office.
Civil Liberties
Basic freedoms to think and act that all people
have and that are protected against
government abuse.
A persons civil liberties are very important to
protect because it allows someone to be free.

Due Process
Following established and complete legal
procedures
Due process is a very important concept to
protect citizens in court.
Executive Branch
The branch of federal and state government
that is broadly responsible for implementing,
supporting, and enforcing the laws made by
the legislative branch and implemented by the
judicial branch.
The president is part of the executive branch.

Federal System
A government that divides power over people
and territory between a national government
and smaller, regional levels of government.
The United States is a very good example of a
federal system.
Foreign Policy
A nations plans and procedures for dealing
with other countries
George Washington addressed the foreign
policy in his Farewell Address.
Government
The Formal structures and institutions through
which a territory and its people are ruled.
The United States runs a very effective type of
government called a democracy where all of
the citizens are free
Individualism
Belief in the primary importance of the
individual and the virtue of personal
independence
Many people feel that their right to
individualism gives them their freedom