Political Science Glossary

A form of government with concentrated power, limited political freedoms, and suppressed opposition.

A legislative structure consisting of two separate chambers, such as a Senate and a House of Representatives.

The administrative system of non-elected officials that implements government policies and programs.

Constitutional mechanisms that allow each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

Fundamental individual rights protected from government interference, such as freedom of speech and religion.

A loose alliance of independent states that delegate limited powers to a central authority.

The body of voters or residents represented by an elected official, or the district itself.

The fundamental law of a state establishing the framework of government, its powers, and citizens' rights.

A system of government in which power is vested in the people through elections and political participation.

The practice of conducting negotiations and managing relations between nations.

A system of government dividing sovereignty between central and subnational political units.

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

A coherent set of political beliefs about the proper order of society and the role of government.

The power of courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

The recognized right of a government to exercise authority, based on law, tradition, or popular consent.

The act of attempting to influence government decisions on behalf of an interest group or organization.

The authority granted to a government by its electorate to carry out its proposed policies.

A political theory holding that power is distributed among multiple competing groups rather than concentrated in a single elite.

An organized group sharing political views that contests elections and seeks to influence public policy.

A political approach that appeals to the interests and sentiments of ordinary people against a perceived elite.

A direct vote by the electorate on a specific political question or piece of legislation.

The division of government authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

The right to vote in political elections.

An extreme form of authoritarian government seeking to control all aspects of public and private life.