Government: The people and system that make and enforce laws for a community or nation
Citizen: A legal member of a country
Citizenship: Being a member of a country with rights and duties
Democracy: Government by the people, usually through voting
Republic: A government with elected representatives and a constitution
Monarchy: Rule by a king or queen
Dictatorship: Rule by one person with total power
Constitution: The basic plan and laws of a government
Law: A rule made by the government that everyone must follow
Right: Something you are free to do or have
Responsibility: Something you should do
Duty: A task you are required to do
Liberty: Freedom
Justice: Fair treatment under the law
Equality: Being treated the same under the law
Authority: The power to make decisions and be obeyed
Power: The ability to make things happen
Rule of law: Everyone follows the same laws, including leaders
Legislature: A group that makes laws
Executive: The part of government that carries out laws
Judiciary: The courts
Federal: National, as opposed to state or local
State: One of the 50 divisions of the US with its own government
Local government: City, town or county government
Mayor: Head of a city government
Governor: Head of a state government
Council: A group of officials who make local laws
Representative: A person elected to speak and act for others
Senator: A member of the Senate
Ambassador: Official sent to represent a country abroad
Candidate: Person running for office
Campaign: Efforts to win an election
Election: A vote to choose leaders or decide an issue
Ballot: The paper or screen used to cast a vote
Vote: A choice made in an election
Voter registration: Signing up to vote
Polling place: Where people go to vote
Primary election: A vote to choose a party's candidate
General election: A vote to choose among candidates from different parties
Majority: More than half
Minority: Less than half; also a smaller group
Referendum: A direct vote by citizens on a law or issue
Initiative: A way for citizens to propose a law by gathering signatures
Political party: A group that organizes to win elections and shape government
Platform: A party's list of goals and positions
Interest group: A group that tries to influence government decisions
Lobbying: Trying to influence lawmakers
Media: News sources that inform the public
Public opinion: What most people think about issues
Poll: A survey of people's opinions
Petition: A written request signed by many people
Protest: A public demonstration of disagreement
Boycott: Refusing to buy something as a protest
Civil rights: Rights to equal treatment under the law
Civil liberties: Basic freedoms protected from government action
Discrimination: Unfair treatment because of identity
Segregation: Forced separation of groups
Suffrage: The right to vote
Amendment: A change to a constitution
Ratify: To approve formally
Veto: To reject a bill
Impeach: To charge an official with wrongdoing
Override: To pass a bill despite a veto
Treaty: An agreement between nations
Diplomacy: Handling relations between countries peacefully
Sovereignty: A nation's right to govern itself
Immigrant: Person who moves to a new country to live
Naturalization: Process of becoming a citizen
Tax: Money paid to the government
Budget: A plan for earning and spending money
Public service: Work done for the community
Volunteer: Person who works without pay to help others
Jury: Citizens who decide a verdict
Verdict: Decision of a jury or judge
Defendant: Person accused in court
Plaintiff: Person who brings a lawsuit
Prosecutor: Lawyer who brings charges for the government
Judge: Official who runs a court
Testify: To give evidence in court
Common good: What benefits everyone in a community
Compromise: Each side gives up something to agree
Consensus: General agreement
Civic engagement: Taking part in community and public life
Bipartisan: Involving two political parties
Constituent: A voter represented by an official
Term: The length of time an official serves
Incumbent: Person currently holding an office

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/civics-vocabulary