American Government and Politics
This category encompasses terms and concepts fundamental to understanding the structure, function, and principles of the political system of the United States of America. It covers the core elements of American government – from its constitutional foundations and branches of power, to the processes of legislation, elections, and political participation.
Bicameral Legislature
Overview A bicameral legislature is a type of legislative body that consists of two separate cham...
Caucus
Overview A caucus is a meeting of party members in a local area (e.g., precinct, county, or state...
Commerce Clause
Overview The Commerce Clause is a part of the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8) t...
Democratic Party
Overview The Democratic Party is one of the two major political parties in the United States, alo...
Due Process
Overview Due process is a legal concept protecting individuals from arbitrary or unfair treatment...
Electoral College
Overview The Electoral College is the system used in the United States to elect the President and...
Enumerated vs Implied Powers
Overview The concepts of enumerated powers and implied powers are fundamental to understanding th...
Equal Protection
Overview The Equal Protection Clause is a cornerstone of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitut...
Establishment Clause
Overview The Establishment Clause is a provision in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,...
Executive Agencies
Overview The United States government is divided into three branches: legislative, judicial, and ...
Executive Orders
Overview An executive order is a directive issued by the President of the United States that carr...
Federalism
Overview Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between national and regi...
Free Exercise Clause
Overview The Free Exercise Clause is part of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ...
General Election
Overview A General Election in the United States is a nationwide vote to elect the President and ...
Judicial Review
Overview Judicial review is the process by which a court examines the actions of a legislative, e...
Legislative Process
Overview The legislative process, or how a bill becomes law in the United States, is a detailed s...
Lobby and Special Interest Groups
Overview Lobbying refers to advocacy efforts aimed at influencing decisions made by policymakers,...
Majority and Minority
Overview Majority and minority refer to the division of power between different groups based on t...
Media as a Political Actor
Overview When we talk about "media as a political actor," we’re referring to the way various medi...
Political Action Committee
Definition A political action committee (PAC) is an organization formed to raise and spend money ...
Primary Election
Overview A primary election in the United States is a preliminary election where voters select ca...
Privacy
Overview Privacy in the context of the United States Constitution refers to the right of individu...
Republic vs Democracy
Overview The terms "republic" and "democracy" are often used interchangeably, but they have disti...
Republican Party
Overview The Republican Party, also known as the GOP (Grand Old Party), is one of the two major p...
Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Overview The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United State...
Rule of Law
Overview The Rule of Law is a legal principle that suggests all people, including those in power,...
Separation of Powers
Definition The separation of powers (checks and balances) is a fundamental principle in democrati...
Supremacy Clause
Overview The Supremacy Clause is a part of the United States Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2) ...
Two-Party System
Overview A two-party system is a type of political party structure in which two major parties dom...