2009 FINAL VOCABULARY LIST – CIVICS AND ECONOMICS

This is a vocabulary based test, so if you know most of this vocabulary, you will do well on the eoc.

1. New England - Dominated by Puritans and founded for religious reasons (God). Massachusetts,
New Hampshire, etc.
2. Middle Colonies- Had great religious variety: Catholics in Maryland, a mix of Anglicans (Church
of England), Quakers, Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists. Pennsylvania and
Maryland were known for their religious toleration, unlike the New England Puritans who for the
first hundred years were known to persecute other Christian sects.
3. Southern Colonies- The tidewater areas were primarily dominated by the Anglican Church; this
church was the established church and the citizens were required to pay taxes for the upkeep of
this denomination. In the “Southern Back country”, the people were primarily Presbyterians,
Baptists, Methodists, and Quakers, all of whom resented paying taxes for the Anglican Church.
4. Mercantilism - The theory and system of political economy prevailing in Europe after the decline
of feudalism, based on national policies of accumulating bullion, establishing colonies and a
merchant marine, and developing industry and mining to attain a favorable balance of trade.
5. Indentured servants - Indentured servants were imported from England; the plantation owners
would pay their passage over to America for the exchange of their work for about 7 years
6. Middle Passage- The voyage that brought enslaved Africans to the West Indies and later to
North America.
7. Joint-stock Company– Business organization in which money is raised by selling shares in the
company to investors.
8. London Company– Large joint-stock company sent to Jamestown until it was sued by England
because of financial problems in Jamestown.
9. Social Contract theory- Rousseau / Hobbes / Locke- Is the view that persons' moral and/or
political obligations are dependent upon a contract or agreement between them to form society.
10. Natural rights- Locke - Political theory that maintains that an individual enters into society with
certain basic rights and that no government can deny these rights. Common good/ Civic virtue- Is
the cultivation of habits of personal living that are claimed to be important for the success of the
individual, the family, and the community, or other groups of people. The identification of the
character traits that constitute civic virtue has been a major concern of political philosophy.
11. Republic- A political order whose head of state is not a monarch and in modern times is usually a
president.
12. French and Indian War– Or the seven years’ war – British v. French. British won, but the cost
was great and led to increased pressure on the U.S. colonies.
13. Writs of assistance – general arrest/search warrants
14. Proclamation of 1763– British Proclamation saying colonists could not settle west of the
Appalachian Mountains.
15. Stamp Act– Direct tax. Colonists especially angry at this – all important documents, newspapers,
etc. had to be printed on special stamped paper for which the colonists had to pay a tax. Patrick
Henry – “No taxation without representation!”
16. Committees of Correspondence- One of the groups set up by American colonists to exchange
information about British threats and their liberties
17. John Peter Zenger– 1735 – publicist accused of libel but found not guilty – first example in U.S.
of freedom of the press.
18. “Shot heard around the world”– 1775 – Lexington and Concord – Mass.
19. Boston Tea Party. - The dumping of 18,000 pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor by colonists in
1773 to protest the Tea Act.

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20. Intolerable Acts/ Coercive Acts- A series of laws enacted by Parliament in 1774 to punish
Massachusetts colonists for the Boston Tea Party. Closed the Boston Port, revoked
Massachusetts’ independent rights and put her under more direct control of England, and also
created the new Quartering Act, forcing people to house troops in their homes if barracks,
taverns, or deserted buildings were not available.
21. Declaration of Independence- The document, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, in which the
delegates of the Continental Congress declared the colonies’ independence from Britain.
22. Thomas Paine’s Common Sense- Condemning the English Crown (first direct attack on the
King, George III), and increasing popularity of Radicals with the public at large, thus resulting their
gaining more seats in Congress.
23. Salutary neglect- An English policy of relaxing the enforcement of regulations in its colonies in
return for the colonies’ continued economic loyalty. Helped lead to more political, economic, and
social independence. Occurred before the French and Indian War.
24. Northwest Ordinance of 1787- A law that established a procedure for the admission of new
states to the Union.
25. Treaty of Paris, 1783- The treaty that ended the Revolutionary War, confirming the
independence of the United States and setting the boundaries of the new nation.
26. Shays Rebellion- Uprising in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 caused by excessive land
taxation, high legal costs, and economic depression following the American Revolution. Shays'
rebellion and the other protests forced the leaders and politicians of the young nation to take note.
The existing Articles of Confederation, which provided for the basic laws of the nation, were not
an effective means of governing. The protests helped push the nation's leaders closer to
formulating and ratifying the Constitution of the United States.
27. The Virginia Plan-Proposal presented by Virginia delegates at the 1787 Constitutional
Convention which recommended that Congress be bicameral, and that states' representation be
based on their populations. This plan favored states with large populations, since they would have
more representatives in Congress than less populated states.
28. The New Jersey Plan- Proposal presented by New Jersey delegates at the 1787 Constitutional
Convention which recommended that Congress be unicameral, and that all states be equally
represented in Congress. Small states developed the proposal to counter the Virginia Plan. The
New Jersey Plan gave large and small states equal power in Congress, and made Congress
power to force states to cooperate with the national government.
29. The Great Compromise/ Connecticut Plan- Roger Sherman. The Constitutional Convention’s
agreement to establish a two-house national legislature, with all states having equal
representation in one house and each state having representation based on its population in the
other house.
30. The 3/5ths Compromise- Delegates agreed to count slaves as 3/5ths of a person when
apportioning representation and taxation
31. The Electoral College- A group selected by the states to elect the president and vice-president,
in which each state’s number of electors is equal to the number of its senators and
representatives in Congress.
32. Federalist- An advocate of federalism. /A member or supporter of the Federalist Party-
Supporters of the Constitution and of a strong national government.
33. Anti-federalists- An opponent of a strong central government.
34. Loose Interpretation– Alexander Hamilton and Federalists – Society changes and the
Constitution should be interpreted for the changing society, not read literally.
35. Strict Interpretation– Thomas Jefferson. Constitution only means what it explicitly says
36. Federalism- A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and
constituent political units. - A political system in which a national government and constituent
units, such as state governments, share power.
37. Separation of Powers- The doctrine and practice of dividing the powers of a government among
different branches to guard against abuse of authority. A government of separated powers
assigns different political and legal powers to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
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 38. Checks and Balances- The provisions of the U.S. Constitution that prevent any branch of the
U.S. government from dominating the other two branches.
39. Legislative Branch- Article I – makes the laws.
40. The Executive Branch- Article II - administers and enforces the laws.
41. The Judiciary Branch- Article III - interprets laws and the Constitution.
42. Free Exercise Clause- The legal interpretation of the separation of church and state raises
perplexing legal issues because the Free Exercise Clause sometimes conflicts with the
Establishment Clause. If the government taxes church property, for example, does the tax violate
the church’s right to “free exercise” of its religion? If, on the other hand, the state exempts
churches from property taxes, does the exemption constitute an unconstitutional “establishment”
of religion.
43. Establishment Clause- Neither the federal government nor the states can enact laws that would
“establish” or create a religion. In the 17th century, most American colonies supported official
religions with public revenues, and laws required residents to attend church services. The framers
of the Constitution drafted the Establishment Clause to ensure that there would be no official
national religion.
44. Eminent Domain – power of the government to seize land for fair compensation if it is needed for
public good
Due Process - the regular administration of the law, according to which no citizen may be denied his or
her legal rights and all laws must conform to fundamental, accepted legal principles, as the right of
the accused to confront his or her accusers.
45. Double Jeopardy – being tried for the same crime twice
46. Self Incrimination – saying anything that can be used against you in court
47. Rights of the accused – protections in the Bill of Rights for people accused of a crime
48. Anarchy- Absence of any form of political authority
49. Autocrat- A ruler having unlimited power; a despot/A person with unlimited power or authority:
50. Theocracy- A government ruled by or subject to religious authority
51. Oligarchy- Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.
52. Limited/ Absolute Monarchy- Government by a monarch
53. Totalitarianism- Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political
authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is
subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed: “A
totalitarian regime crushes all autonomous institutions in its drive to seize the human soul” (Arthur
M. Schlesinger, Jr.).
54. Dictatorship- A state or government under dictatorial rule/Absolute or despotic control or power.
55. Aristocracy- Hereditary ruling class; nobility.
56. Democracy- Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected
representatives

GOAL 2

1. Preamble- A preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document that serves
to explain its purpose.
2. Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause) – Article 1 sec. 8 – Congress has the power to
make all laws necessary and proper to the carrying out of the enumerated powers
3. Implied Powers – powers assumed under the elastic clause but not explicitly stated
4. Enumerated Powers – Art. I sec. 8 1-17. Powers explicitly stated in the Const.
5. Expressed Powers – same as enumerated powers
6. Delegated Powers – powers given to Congress
7. Reserved Powers - powers given to the states
8. Concurrent Powers – powers of both the states and Congress
9. Supremacy Clause – U.S. Const. is the law of the land and states can not pass any laws
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 conflicting with it.
10. Speaker of the House – Most powerful leader of the House of Representative. Assigns
legislation to committee
11. President Pro Tempore – acting head of the Senate win the President is not there. Mostly just a
figure head
12. President of the Senate – vice president. Only votes if there is a tie
13. House of Representatives – 435 members elected by voters in the states. Representation is
based on population
14. Senate– 100 - An assembly or a council of citizens having the highest deliberative and legislative
functions in a government, specifically:
15. Bill- A draft of a proposed law presented for approval to a legislative body.
16. Law- A rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority.
17. The Committee System- Using a smaller body within a larger body to discuss and refine laws
without taking up the time of the whole legislature
18. Cloture- A parliamentary procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken on
the matter under discussion. Also called closure
19. Filibuster- The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose
of delaying legislative action.
20. Apportionment- The proportional distribution of the number of members of the U.S. House of
Representatives on the basis of the population of each state
21. Non-legislative Powers- powers of Congress that do not have to do with making laws such as
approving Presidential nominations
22. Immunity- immunity granted to officers of the executive branch of government from personal
liability for tortious acts or omissions done in the course of carrying out their duties
23. Censure- An official rebuke, as by a legislature of one of its members
24. Expulsion- The act of expelling or the state of being expelled
25. Majority and Minority Leaders – party leadership positions in Congress.
26. Party Whips – party positions in Congress. Keep track of votes
27. Impeachment- A formal document charging a public official with misconduct in office
28. Presidential Succession – order in which people would replace the President if something
happened. Vice-President, Speaker of the House, President Pro-Tempore, Secretary of State
29. State of the Union Address – a speech given by the president at the beginning of every year to
set the legislative agenda for that session of congress and to give a general update on how the
country is doing.
30. Veto Power – President’s power to veto legislation passed by congress
Executive Agreement - an agreement, usually pertaining to administrative matters and less formal than
an international treaty, made between chiefs of state without senatorial approval.
Executive Orders – issued by president and has force of law
31. Treaty- A formal agreement between two or more states/countries, as in reference to terms of
peace or trade. Senate approves/ ratifies.
32. U.S. Supreme Court – highest court of the land. Only hears appeals. Can choose which cases it
will hear
33. Chief Justice – head of the U.S. Supreme Court
34. Associate Justices - 8
35. Original Jurisdiction – first level of court to hear a case
36. Appellate Jurisdiction – right to review cases after they have been decided in a lower trial court
37. Concurrent Jurisdiction – right for more than one court to hear a case
38. Exclusive Jurisdiction –right for a court to be the only court to hear that case
39. Impeachment- To charge (a public official) with improper conduct in office before a proper
tribunal.
40. Pardons- Exemption of a convicted person from the penalties of an offense or crime by the power

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 of the executor of the laws; An official document or warrant declaring such an exemption.
41. Commutations- Reduction of a penalty to a less severe one
42. Reprieve- To postpone or cancel the punishment of.
43. Writ of Habeas Corpus- a writ ordering a prisoner to be brought before a judge
44. Bill of Attainder – law passed suspending due process
45. Ex post facto laws – law passed that makes an act illegal after it was committed
46. Rule of Law – no one is above the law
47. Judicial Review – power of the Supreme Court to declare acts of the President and Congress
unconstitutional
48. Citizenship- The status of a citizen with its attendant duties, rights, and privileges.
49. Department of Homeland Security – latest presidential cabinet department
Patriot Act - a U.S. law enacted in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which gave
law-enforcement officials greater ability to tap telephones and track Internet users.
50. Fiscal Policy – government’s use of taxing and spending in order to stimulate or slow down the
economy
51. Expenditure- The act or process of expending; outlay.
52. Revenue- The income of a government from all sources appropriated for the payment of the
public expenses.
53. Regressive taxation – poorer people pay a higher percentage of their income – everyone pays
the same amount in tax, example sales tax.
54. Progressive taxation – richer people pay a higher percentage of their income – example income
tax
55. Proportional taxation – everyone pays the same percentage of their income – also known as a
flat tax
56. Income Tax- A tax levied on net personal or business income.
57. Excise tax- An indirect tax charged on the sale of a particular good.
58. Corporate Tax- A levy placed on the profit of a firm different rates are used for different levels of
profits
59. Direct Tax- A tax, such as an income or property tax, levied directly on the taxpayer.
60. Estate Tax- A tax imposed on the right to transfer property by inheritance and assessed on the
net value of a decedent's estate before distribution to the heirs. Also called death tax by its
opponents.
61. Tariffs- A list or system of duties imposed by a government on imported or exported goods.
62. Social Security often Social Security Abbr. SS- A government program that provides economic
assistance to persons faced with unemployment, disability, or agedness, financed by assessment
of employers and employees.
63. Budget deficit/ Surplus – when government revenue is less than/greater than its expenditures
64. National debt – total of all government deficits minus anything paid on it
65. Deficit spending – when the government spends more than it takes in
66. Tax returns – filed by individuals and companies to report earnings and tax paid
67. Bond- A certificate of debt issued by a government or corporation guaranteeing payment of the
original investment plus interest by a specified future date.
68. Balanced Budget – expenditures equal revenue. All state and local governments must maintain
a balanced budget.
69. Federal Bureau of Investigation – law enforcement agency at the federal level. Only investigate
federal crimes
70. Central Intelligence Agency – government agency that collects information on people and
foreign countries
71. Internal Revenue Service – collects taxes
72. Department of Transportation – oversees roads and public transportation
73. National Transportation Safety Board – oversees travel safety

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 74. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services – oversees immigration and naturalization
75. Drug Enforcement Agency – oversees drug smuggling, making, selling, etc.
76. Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) – oversees the sale of tobacco, alcohol and firearms.
Makes sure stores follow laws of who can buy.
77. Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) – agency responsible for organizing
and getting help to people who need housing and such due to a natural disaster. (Think
Hurricane Katrina)
78. Medicare/ Medicaid – government sponsored health program for the elderly (Medicare) and the
poor (Medicaid)
79. Center for Disease Control – Researches and reports on diseases and outbreaks

GOAL 3

1. Census- A count of the citizens and an evaluation of their property for taxation purposes.
2. Amendment Process – 2/3 state legislature call convention or 2/3 Congress proposes
Amendment and then 3/4th of state legislature or ¾ of states’ citizens vote to approve it.
3. Popular sovereignty – power lies with the people
4. Incorporation – legal right of a city to exist and govern itself
5. Governor – executive of a state
6. Lieutenant Governor – vice-executive of the state, takes over if Governor can’t serve and votes
in State Legislature if there is a tie
7. Types of local government: County, city, special districts, townships, metropolis
8. Mayor- The head of government of a city, town, borough, or municipal corporation
9. Mayor-council plan- people elect a mayor and a council. Can be strong mayor system or weak
mayor system
10. City or town council- legislative branch at the local level
11. Council-manager plan- people elect a town council and sometimes a mayor but the council
appoints a manager to run the city, kind of like a CEO
12. County Commissioners – people elect 5 commissioners to serve as the legislative branch of the
county government
13. Sheriff- The chief law enforcement officer for the courts in a U.S. county.
14. Statutes- Laws enacted by a legislature.
15. Ordinance- A statute or regulation, especially one enacted by a city government – local law.
16. Board of Education – oversees public schools within a county or state
17. Referendum – a law or proposed amendment on the ballot for voters to vote on
18. State v. Mann 1830 – established supremacy of the N.C. constitution over local laws
19. The Leandro Case – stated that the N.C. constitution did not require equal funding of education
Civil Rights - rights to personal liberty established by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the U.S.
Constitution and certain Congressional acts, esp. as applied to an individual or a minority group.
20. Gerrymandering – oddly shaped creation of electoral districts solely on the means of getting a
desired outcome in an election
21. Estate Tax – tax on home and belongings passed on after death. Also called a death tax
22. Intergovernmental Revenue – money transferred from one level of government to the other
23. Impact Fees – fees charged to builders and passed on to new home buyers to cover the cost of
building roads, sewers, schools, etc. Very controversial in Wake County right now.
24. State & Municipal Bonds – this is how state and local government raise money for capital
projects

GOAL 4

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Political Party
1. *Democratic – seen as party of the people, more liberal, in support of more social welfare
programs
2. *Republican – seen as party of the business class, more conservative, doesn’t like social welfare
only corporate welfare
3. *Third Parties (minor) – challenge the major parties, usually focus on limited issues
4. One-Party System – only one dominant party in a country - Communism
5. Two-Party System – 2 dominant parties compete for power and hold most seats in legislature
6. Multi-Party System – many parties compete for influence and seats in parliament. Often must
coalition build to get a majority. Israel.
7. Liberal – in support of more social welfare programs, more government control of some industries
such as healthcare, support rights for marginalized and minority groups
8. Moderate – middle of the road political philosophy, taking liber and conservative views.
9. Conservative – limited role of government
10. Platform – written document of political parties stance on current issues
11. Planks – each individual part of the plaform
12. Candidates – people running for political action
13. Plurality Vote – more than any other candidate
14. Majority Vote – more than 50% of the vote
15. General Election – held every year. 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November Obama vs.
McCain.
16. Primary Election – Part of the nomination process for candidates from major political parties.
elections held to vote for a candidate to run for president for one political party
17. Partisan/Nonpartisan – based on political party ideaology/not based on political party ideaology
18. Caucus- A group within a legislative or decision-making body seeking to represent a specific
interest or influence a particular area of policy:
19. Political Action Committee – formed by corporations and interest groups in order to support
candidates for election since the actual groups can’t give that much money
20. Canvass- To go through (a region) or go to (persons) to solicit votes or orders; To conduct a
survey of (public opinion); poll.
21. Endorsements – famous or popular people support candidates
22. Propaganda- The systematic propagation of a doctrine or cause or of information reflecting the
views and interests of those advocating such a doctrine or cause. 24-29 below:
23. *Glittering Generalities – sound good but don’t mean anything
24. *Bandwagon – everybody else likes this person and will vote for them.
25. *Stacked Cards – presents only one side of the issue for one candidate
26. *Name Calling – putting down oponent
27. *”Just Plain Folks” -hey, I’m just like you!
28. *Image Molding – making yourself look good to the voters.
29. Polling Place – the building people go to vote
30. Precinct – smallest electoral division. All people in same precint vote at the same polling place
31. Types of Ballots – straight, lever, electronic, butterfly, punch-card
32. Board of Elections - oversee ballots, registration, and voting
33. Exit Poll – survey taken as people leave polls to try to predict winners
34. National Convention – officially nominates that party’s presidential nomination, but based on
primary results
35. Recall Election – vote to pull someone out of office. Gov. of Calif. Grey Davis
36. Initiative – procedure for getting a law or amendment onto the ballot
37. Proposition – petition for a law for voters to vote on
38. Electors – people chosen to represent a candidate at the electoral college
39. Electoral College – group of electors that actually elect the president

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 40. Political Machine – very strong political party organization that manages to get their people
elected year after year to all levels of government in an area
41. Mass Media – media that reaches the masses of people
42. Vote- A formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of
an issue.
43. Protest- To object to, especially in a formal statement.
44. Bias- A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment
45. Slander- Oral communication of false statements injurious to a person's reputation.
46. Libel- A false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's
reputation
47. Petition- A formal written document requesting a right or benefit from a person or group in
authority
48. Survey- A gathering of a sample of data or opinions considered to be representative of a whole.
49. Random Samples – survey of a sample of people that is about 1500 people that demographically
reflect that total population
50. Activist- A proponent or practitioner of activism: political activists.
51. Lobbyist- someone who tries to persuade legislators to vote for bills that the lobbyists favor
52. Apathy- Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or
appeal; indifference
53. Criminal Law- laws that deal with actual criminal statutes
54. Prosecution – side that investigates and brings a case against the accused
55. Civil Law – tort law. Civil wrong-doings
56. Lawsuits- civil suits
57. Mandatory Sentencing – required sentence for specific crimes
58. Anarchy- Absence of any form of political authority.
59. Patriotism- Love of and devotion to one's country.
60. Peace Corps- A federal government organization, set up in 1961, that trains and sends American
volunteers abroad to work with people of developing countries on projects for technological,
agricultural, and educational improvement.
61. AmeriCorps – combined the peace corp and job corp
Job Corps - an organization within the Department of Labor that operates rural conservation camps and
urban training centers for poor youths.
62. Senior Corps – volunteer opportunities for senior citizens
63. Arbitration – third party decides case
64. Mediation – third party tries to help two sides reach a decision
65. Pre-hearing Settlement – civil cases that are settled before trial to avoid costly long battle

GOAL 5

1. Federal Courts – district courts, U.S. court of appeal, U.S. supreme court
2. State Courts – lower courts, trial courts, appellate courts, state supreme courts
Writ of Certiorari – request of judicial review
3. Brief –supreme courts written decision in a case
4. Oral Argument – presented by lawyers to the supreme court
5. Majority Opinion – decision of majority of justices
6. Dissenting Opinion – decision by one or more justices against the majority opinion
7. Concurrent Opinion – decision by one or more justices that agrees with majority opinion but has
different
8. reasoning
9. Felony- One of several grave crimes, such as murder, rape, or burglary, punishable by a more
stringent sentence than that given for a misdemeanor

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 10. Misdemeanor- An offense less serious than a felony.
11. Tort- Damage, injury, or a wrongful act done willfully, negligently, or in circumstances involving
strict liability, but not involving breach of contract, for which a civil suit can be brought.
12. Court Docket – supreme court calander
13. De facto – not by law
14. De jure – by law
15. Prosecutor – state in criminal cases, side bringing criminal case
16. Complaint – filed by the plaintiff in a civil case stating the alleged wrongdoing and reasoning of
responsibility
17. Defendant – person who is being sued in a civil case
18. Plaintiff – person bringing suit in a civil case
19. Subpoena – court order to turn evidence over to the court
20. Summons – court order to appear in court
21. Arrest Warrant – issued by a judge for the arrest of a suspect
22. Indictment – grand jury finds enough evidence to go to trial
23. Information / discovery – part of civil case when lawyers from both sides gather information on
the case. Many cases are settled and end before going any further.
24. Perjury – lying under oath
25. Plea – guilty, innocent, no contest
26. Plea Bargaining – saying you are guilty but to a lesser charge
27. Bail- Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a
guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
28. Sentence – consequence if you are found guilty
29. Public Defender – lawyer appointed to represent a defendant if that defendant can not afford one
30. Hearing – where you are presented the charges against you in front of a judge and bail is set
31. Bailiff- A court attendant entrusted with duties such as the maintenance of order in a courtroom
during a trial.
32. Verdict – guilty or innocent
33. Settlement – responsible and willing to pay x amount
34. Bill – piece of legislation that if passed will become a law. “I’m just a bill, just a bill on capital hill”
35. Standing Committee – permanent, always there, continues work session to session
36. Seniority System – used to appoint people to committee. Longer you serve more likely to get
Chair or committee you want
37. House Rules Committee – most powerful committee in House. Sets debate rules and schedules
debates and votes
38. Line Item Veto – ability to veto only a part of a bill before signing it into law
39. Pocket Veto – president does nothing to a bill that has been passed by Congress and Congress
goes out of session within a few days
40. Filibuster – way to kill a bill in the Senate by talking it to death
41. Cloture – way to end a filibuster. Need 3/5th vote
42. Rider – completely unrelated amendments to a bill. Can only be added in Senate not House
43. Town Meetings – oldest form of government in America. Exercise of direct democracy. Seen in
New England
44. At-Large – elected based on the whole city/county instead of just a small ward/precinct within it.
45. Zoning – decision of local government for land development – residential, commercial, industrial,
mix, ect.

GOAL 6

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Criminal Law - the laws of a state or country dealing with criminal offenses and their punishments.
Civil Law - the body of laws of a state or nation regulating ordinary private matters, as distinct from laws
regulating criminal, political, or military matters.
1. Constitutional Law - a body of statutory and case law that is based on, concerns, or interprets a
constitution
2. Administrative Law - the body of rules and principles that governs the duties and operations of
federal or state administrative agencies, as commissions and boards.
3. Statutory Law - the written law established by enactments expressing the will of the legislature,
as distinguished from the unwritten law or common law
4. International Law - the body of rules that nations generally recognize as binding in their conduct
toward one another.
5. State Bureau of Investigation – Responsible for law enforcement at the state level
6. Franking Privilege – power of Congressional members to mail anything without paying to mail it
7. Sheriff – chief law enforcement officer at the county level. Enforces court orders and oversees
jails and deputies
8. Probation - a method of dealing with offenders, esp. young persons guilty of minor crimes or first
offenses, by allowing them to go at large under supervision of a probation officer.
9. Parole - the conditional release of a person from prison prior to the end of the maximum sentence
imposed.
10. Juvenile Detention – incarceration for juveniles
11. Incarceration – being put in jail

GOAL 7
1. Economics – study of decision making where resources are limited
2. Want – desire but don’t need
3. Need –must have for survival
4. Land – natural resources
5. Renewable Natural Resource – naturally makes more - trees
6. Nonrenewable Natural Resources - limited supply within earth - oil
7. Labor – human activity
8. Capital – money, building, machines, etc.
9. Entrepreneurship –ambition, innovation, and ideas
10. Productivity - amount that can be produced with a set amount of labor and time
11. Incentives – something offered in order to pursaude people to act one way or another
12. Fixed Costs – always the same no matter how much is produced
13. Variable Costs –varies depending on how much is produced
14. Total Costs – fixed and variable
15. Marginal Costs – cost to produce one more
16. Specialization – only making what you are absolutely best at making (wine in Italy, Cheese in
Wisconsin)
17. Human Capital – brainpower and physical labor of workers
18. White Collar – professional job – business, teacher, doctor, etc.
19. Blue collar – labor/trade job – custodian, mechanic
20. Skilled Workers – people with specific skills or knowledge – mechanic, plumber
21. Unskilled Workers – people with not specific skills – cashier, retail
22. Capitol Goods – something used by a business to make/provide something else (wood to build a
house)
23. Consumer Goods – something individuals buy to use (toilet paper)
24. Law of Diminishing Return – the more you use/eat something the less satisfying it is (first slice
of pizza taste better the 20th slice)

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 25. Laissez-Faire- The principle that the government should not interfere in the economy
26. Invisible Hand – what controls the market (supply and demand) in a capitalist society
27. Competition – results in highest quality product at lowest price
28. Consumer Sovereignty – customer controls the market
29. Private Property – people own factors of production and can do what they want with them.
30. Profit Motive – if you are willing to risk you money, time, energy, you can make money
31. Communist Manifesto – book written by Karl Marx about communist ideology
32. Wealth of Nations – book written by Adam Smith about capitalism
33. The Keynesian Theory- Emphasizing government spending and deficits can help the economy
weather its normal ups and downs.

GOAL 8

1. Market Economy- an economic system in which the government plays no role, and what is
produced is based solely on what is in demand. There are not true market economies in existence
today.
2. Mixed Market Economy – some government regulation, minimal government ownership
3. Command Economy- an economic system in which the government controls all aspects of
production and consumption, with no individual decisions being made. North Korea is an example
of a command economy.
4. Mixed Economy- an economic system in which the government is deeply involved in economic
decisions through its role of regulator, consumer, subsidizer, taxer, employer, and borrower. The
US can be considered a mixed economy.
5. Traditional Economy- an economic system where what is produced is based solely on the needs
of a small community. For example, if wheat is needed, the community grows wheat. Many 3rd
world countries have traditional economies.
6. Voluntary Exchange – producers and consumers willingly make transactions in the market place
because they benefit both sides
7. Division of Labor – different people perform different parts of a job to ultimately make one thing
8. Circular Flow of Economic Activity – flow of money and resources between the consumer
sector, business sector, government sector and foreign sector
9. Economic Interdependence – domestic economies are dependent upon the economies of other
countries. Example – U.S. depends on oil from middle east, Russia and Venezuela
10. Demand Curve/Schedule – how much people want at a given price
11. Disposib State Income Tax – percentage of earned income payed to the state government
12. Corporate Income Tax – percentage of money maid by a business paid to the state
13. Sales Tax – percentage of the price of a purchased product paid to the state
14. Excise Tax –tax on luxury items such as tobacco and gasoline. Often used as an dis-incentive
15. Inheritance Tax – tax on money you inherit when someone dies. Sometimes called a death tax
16. Property Tax – taxed based on the value of property you own. Usually a certain amount per
$100/$1,000 in value
17. al Income – money left over after paying taxes
18. Complimentary Goods – two items used together – Peanut butter and jelly
19. Substitute Good – two items used in place of one another – butter or margerine
20. Surplus – too much product, don’t sell it all, price set about equilibrium price
21. Shortage – not enough product to meet demand, price set below equilibrium price
22. Minimum Wage – minimum wage per hour that employers can pay by law. Price floor – creates
surplus of labor/shortage of jobs
23. Inflation- The rise in price of consumer goods, the devaluation of currency.
24. Deflation- The fall in price of consumer goods. Ex: Computers, a computer worth $10,000 ten
years ago would now be worth $200

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 25. Interest Rates – percentage banks charge to lend you money or pay you to borrow your money
in the form of a savings account or C.D.
26. Trickle-Down Effect - are characterizations of the policy of lowering taxes on high incomes and
business activity. Proponents of these policies claim that they will promote new investment and
economic growth, thereby indirectly benefiting people who do not directly pay the taxes.
27. Supply Side Economics - a school of macroeconomic thought that argues that economic growth
can be most effectively managed using incentives for people to produce (supply) goods and
services, such as adjusting income tax and capital gains tax rates.
28. Monopoly – no competition only one producer
29. Oligopoly – very little competition only a few producers
30. Competitive Market – several producers – branding differentiates
31. Mergers – two companies coming together as one, limits competition
32. Sole Proprietorship – company owned by one person
33. Partnership – company owned by 2 or more people
34. Corporation – company owned by stock holders
35. Cooperative - a jointly owned enterprise engaging in the production or distribution of goods or the
supplying of services, operated by its members for their mutual benefit, typically organized by
consumers or farmers.
36. Franchise - the right or license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its
products or services in a specific territory.
37. Limited Liability – applies to corporation, only responsible for amount you put in if company goes
bankrupt or gets sued
38. Unlimited Liability – full responsibility for debt/ lawsuits
39. Stock – share of a company
40. Stock Market – places where stocks are bought and sold
41. Dividend – money earned on stock based on profits of company
42. Bond – loan to a company
43. Craft Union – union of skilled workers, ex. plumbers
44. Industrial Union – union of workers, ex. Auto workers
45. Collective Bargaining – negotiations between management and union reps to agree on a
contract for the workers
46. Lockout – management locks out workers without pay to try to force them to accept a contract on
their terms
47. Strike – workers don’t work to try to force management to accept a contract on their terms
48. Social Security Act of 1935 - established the social security system
49. National Labor Relations Act, 1935 - guarnateed workers the right to join unions
50. Fair Labor Standards Act, 1938 - set working standards especially in the area of minumum
wage and child labor
51. Taft-Hartley Act, 1947 - limited the activities of union and abolished closed shops
52. Anti-trust Laws – no monopolies
53. Labor Union – created to help workers fight for better working conditions and pay
54. Certificate of deposit – money put into the bank for a specific period of time.
55. Savings account deposit – money put in the bank but can be withdrawn at any time
56. Credit Cards – way of borrowing money short term
57. Debit Cards – plastic card that allows you to spend money in your checking account
Mutual Funds – buy a fund that includes many different types of stocks – a less risky investment.
58. Commercial Bank – handle all types of financial transactions
59. Savings & Loan Associations – mostly savings and home loans
60. Credit Unions – for members only, non-profit so higher interest rates on savings and lower interst

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 rates on loans
61. Federal Deposit Insurance Commission – protects money put into banks in case they go
bankrupt
62. Investment Spending –money spent in order to make more money
63. Capital Investment – buying things that can be used to make other things to sell
64. Reserve Requirement – percentage of deposits that bank must keep on hand

GOAL 9

1. Peak/Prosperity – highest point in the business cycle

2. Contraction/Recession – time between peak and trough, period of declining GDP
3. Trough/Depression – lowest point in the business cycle
4. Expansion/Recovery – time after trough until level of last peak, time of increasing GDP
5. Gross Domestic Product – value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year
6. Per Capita GDP – GDP per person – better measure of standard of living
7. Standard of Living – availability and access to needs and wants
8. Consumer Price Index- The key measure of inflation that relates prices in one year to prices in
another year.
9. Deregulation – government relaxing rules on businesses and banking
10. Microsoft Anti-Trust Case – case against Microsoft for being a monopoly. Found Microsoft
guilty and they had to release information about their operating system in order to create more
competition
11. Out-sourcing – using people outside our country to perform jobs for companies within our
country. Ex: customer service for cell phone
12. Tariffs – tax on imported products, AKA Customs duty
13. Exchange Rate – value of currency in comparison to one another
14. Multinational Conglomerate – company that operates in more than one country
15. Globalization – speed at which the world can connect and interact
16. North American Free Trade Agreement – no trade barriers such as tariffs on trade between
Canada, U.S., and Mexico
17. World Trade Organization – international trade association that promotes free trade
18. European Union – lowered trade barriers among European countries by establishing a common
currency and lowering tarrifs
19. Unfavorable Balance of Trade – importing more than you export (buying more than you sell)
20. Comparative Advantage – due to resources, labor, education, etc. you are naturally better at
making something and can do it easier, faster and cheaper
21. Developed Countries - industrialized
22. Developing Countries – agrarian, traditional, little industry
23. United Nations – international peace keeping organization
24. International Monetary Fund - an international organization that promotes the stabilization of the
world's currencies and maintains a monetary pool from which member nations can draw in order
to correct a deficit in their balance of payments: a specialized agency of the United Nations.
25. World Bank - an international bank established in 1944 to help member nations reconstruct and
develop, esp. by guaranteeing loans: a specialized agency of the United Nations.
26. Free Trade – no trade barriers or tariffs
27. Monetary Policy- Manipulation of the supply of money in private hands by which the government
can control the economy
28. Fiscal Policy- The policy that describes the impact of the federal budget-taxes, spending, and
borrowing- on the economy
29. Loose (Easy) Money Policy – stimulate economy by increasing the money supply

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 30. Tight Money Policy – slow down economy by decreasing money supply
31. Discount Rate – interest rate the fed charges banks
32. Open Market Operations – buying and selling of treasury bonds
33. Revenue – money the government collects
34. Inflation – steady increase in overall cost of goods
35. Recession - 6 straight months of declining GDP
36. Bear and Bull Markets – Bear market is pessimistic/prices down – Bull is optimistic/lots of
investing/prices up

GOAL 10
1. Compromise- A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
2. Cooperation- The association of persons or businesses for common, usually economic, benefit.
3. Collaboration- To work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort./To cooperate treasonably,
as with an enemy occupation force in one's country.
4. Racism- The belief that race accounts for differences in human character or ability and that a
particular race is superior to others.
5. Sexism- Discrimination based on gender, especially discrimination against women.
6. Ageism- Discrimination based on age, especially prejudice against the elderly.
7. Bias- A preference or an inclination, especially one that inhibits impartial judgment/An unfair act
or policy stemming from prejudice.
8. Gender- The condition of being female or male; sex.
9. Disability- The condition of being disabled; incapacity
10. Religion- Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and
governor of the universe.
11. Nationality- The status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization.
12. Physical Appearance
13. Multicultural- Of, relating to, or including several cultures/Of or relating to a social or educational
theory that encourages interest in many cultures within a society rather than in only a mainstream
culture
14. “Melting Pot” Theory – many cultures that meld together into one American culture
15. “Tossed Salad” Theory – many cultures that keep their own unique characteristics
16. Literacy- The ability to read and write
17. Taxpayer- one who pays taxes
18. Charity- Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
19. Tolerance- The capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices
of others
20. Patriotism- Love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it
21. Baby Boomers – people born after WWII. Currently reaching retirement and straining the social
security and
22. Graying Population – due to better health and medicine a larger percentage of the population is
60 and over
23. Taxation- The act or practice of imposing taxes.
24. Citizen Apathy- A lack of caring or action within the citizenry, for example, low voting turnout.
COMBAT APATHY!
25. Security- Freedom from risk or danger; safety
26. Economic Cycles- a pattern of increases and decreases in economic activity. –Expansion, peak,
contraction, and trough
27. Unemployment Rate- As measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics(BLS), the proportion of the
labor force actively seeking work but unable to find jobs.
28. Acid Rain/Greenhouse Effect- Acid precipitation falling as rain. The greenhouse effect is the rise

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 in temperature that the Earth experiences because certain gases in the atmosphere (water vapor,
carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane, for example) trap energy from the sun.
29. Self-Determination- Determination of one's own fate or course of action without compulsion; free
will. Freedom of the people of a given area to determine their own political status; independence
30. Socio-Economic Status- An individual’s or group’s position within a hierarchical social structure.
Socioeconomic status depends on a combination of variables, including occupation, education,
income, wealth, and place of residence. Sociologists often use socioeconomic status as a means
of predicting behavior.

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