WGU C963 - Vocabulary with 100% correct answers(verified for accuracy)

Natural Rights The right to life, liberty, and property; believed to be given by God; no government may take them away. State of Nature A theory on how people might have lived before societies came into existence. Previous Play Next Rewind 10 seconds Move forward 10 seconds Unmute 0:03 / 0:15 Full screen Brainpower Read More Due Process The requirement that government, when dealing with people, have in place a fair procedure which it equally applies to all. Social Contract An agreement between people and government in which citizens consent to be governed so long as the government protects their natural rights. Political Ideologies Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government. Bicameral Legislature A lawmaking body that consists of two separate chambers. Popular Vote An election in which the winner is determined by the number of individual votes obtained. Virginia Plan A plan for a two-house legislature; representatives would be elected to the lower house based on each state's population; representatives for the upper house would be chosen by the lower house. New Jersey Plan A plan that called for a one-house national legislature; each state would receive one vote. Great Compromise Also known as the Connecticut Compromise. A compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that created a bicameral legislature; representation based on population in the House of Representatives and equal representation of states in the Senate. Three-Fifths Compromise A compromise between northern and southern states that called for counting of all a state's free population and 60 percent of its slave population for both federal taxation and representation in Congress. Veto The power of the president to reject a law proposed by Congress. Checks and Balances A system that allows one branch of government to limit the exercise of power by another branch; requires the different parts of government to work together.. Separation of Powers The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government. Federal System A form of government which power is divided between state governments and a national government. Enumerated Powers The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution; power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, raise and support armies, declare war, coin money, and conduct foreign affairs. Reserved Powers Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government; powers reserved to the states and denied to the federal government. Political Ideologies Coherent philosophies about the structure, power, and purpose of government. Ratification The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid. Republic A system of government in which power is given to the people through their ability to elect representatives who make laws on their behalf. Habeas Corpus The right to know, before a judge, why you have been detained. The Federalist Papers A series of 85 essays, written and published in favor of ratifying the Constitution. Faction A group who gathers together to advocate for their special interest. Impeachment A process of removing government officials suspected of criminal activity, including judges and even the president. It requires a majority vote in the House of Representatives to accept articles of impeachment. Two-thirds of the Senate must then vote to remove the person. Executive Orders Rules or orders that are issued by the President and have the force of law. Inherent Power The powers neither enumerated nor implied but assumed to exist as a direct result of the country's existence. Oversight The right to review and monitor other bodies such as the executive branch. Committees A small set of representatives tasked with considering, researching, introducing, and investigating particular policy areas. Discretionary Spending Spending that can be altered from year to year through the appropriations process. Budget Resolution A model of what the government plans to spend and take in as revenue over the next fiscal year.