The highest law of the United States. It creates the federal government, divides its powers, and protects certain rights.
An election used by a political party to choose its candidate for the general election.
GOV101
📖 PoliticalDad Reference Guide
Gov101
Government and politics, explained simply.
Heard a political term and have no idea what it means? You are not alone.
Gov101 gives you quick, plain-English explanations without the classroom lecture,
partisan spin, or alphabet soup.
Search the full Gov101 reference library.
Browse by topic
Political dictionary A-Z
Government Basics
The basic structure of American government and how its pieces fit together.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution, protecting freedoms such as speech, religion, assembly, and due process.
The legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch carries them out, and the judicial branch interprets them.
A system that gives each branch ways to limit the power of the other branches.
The division of power between the national government and state governments.
The idea that government power should be divided so no single person or branch controls everything.
Elections & Voting
How candidates are chosen, how votes are counted, and how elections are decided.
The election in which voters choose who will hold public office.
The state-by-state system used to officially elect the president and vice president.
The total number of individual votes cast for a candidate.
A state where either major party has a realistic chance of winning.
The process of redrawing voting district boundaries, usually after the census.
Drawing voting districts to give one political party or group an advantage.
Congress
The House, the Senate, and the machinery used to write and pass federal laws.
The chamber of Congress based on state population. Members serve two-year terms.
The chamber of Congress with two senators from each state. Senators serve six-year terms.
A smaller group of lawmakers that studies bills, holds hearings, and makes recommendations.
A proposed law introduced in Congress or a state legislature.
A Senate tactic or procedure used to delay or block action by extending debate or preventing a final vote.
The Senate procedure used to end debate and move toward a vote.
A temporary spending measure that keeps the government funded when a full budget has not been approved.
A partial stop in government operations caused by a lapse in approved funding.
The President
The powers, responsibilities, and limits of the executive branch.
The part of government led by the president that carries out and enforces federal laws.
A written direction from the president to the executive branch. It cannot override the Constitution or a valid law.
The group of senior officials who lead major executive departments and advise the president.
The president's rejection of a bill passed by Congress.
The president's power to forgive a federal crime or reduce its legal consequences.
The constitutional process for formally accusing and potentially removing certain federal officials.
Courts & the Supreme Court
How federal courts interpret laws, settle disputes, and review government actions.
The highest court in the federal system and the final authority on many constitutional questions.
The power of courts to decide whether a law or government action violates the Constitution.
A request for a higher court to review a lower court's decision.
An earlier court decision used as guidance in later cases involving similar legal questions.
The court's main written decision explaining the ruling supported by most justices.
A written opinion from a judge or justice who disagrees with the majority decision.
Economy & Your Wallet
The government and economic terms that show up in headlines and household budgets.
A broad increase in prices over time, which reduces what each dollar can buy.
A measure of average price changes for a basket of goods and services purchased by consumers.
The total value of goods and services produced within a country during a period of time.
The amount by which the federal government spends more than it collects during a year.
The total amount the federal government owes from past borrowing.
The central bank of the United States. It influences interest rates, credit conditions, and the money supply.
A significant decline in economic activity lasting more than a brief period.
A tax placed on goods imported from another country.
Foreign Policy & National Security
The institutions and tools the United States uses when dealing with other countries.
A formal agreement between countries. U.S. treaties negotiated by the president require Senate approval.
Economic or financial restrictions used to pressure a country, organization, or individual.
A military alliance in which members agree to support one another's security.
An international organization where countries cooperate on security, diplomacy, development, and humanitarian issues.
Money, supplies, training, or other assistance provided to another country.
A formal action by Congress recognizing a state of war.
Political Dictionary
Common words, labels, and phrases used in political news and debate.
Supported by members of two political parties, usually the two major parties.
Strongly connected to or favoring one political party or political side.
A broad political viewpoint that often favors limited government, traditional institutions, and market-based solutions.
A broad political viewpoint that often favors government action to address social and economic problems and protect civil rights.
A person whose political views generally fall between more liberal and more conservative positions.
A political viewpoint that generally supports stronger government action to address inequality and expand social protections.
A political approach that presents ordinary people as being in conflict with powerful elites or institutions.
A person paid to influence lawmakers or government policy on behalf of a client or organization.
A political action committee that raises and spends money to influence elections within legal limits.
A political committee that may raise and spend unlimited amounts independently of candidates and parties.
Founding Documents
The original documents behind the American system of government.
The 1776 document announcing that the American colonies were separating from Great Britain.
The document that establishes the structure, powers, and limits of the federal government.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
Essays written to support ratification of the Constitution and explain the proposed system of government.
Abraham Lincoln's 1863 speech connecting the Civil War to equality, democracy, and national unity.
Original documents and trusted references
Gov101 is written in plain English, but the foundation should always lead back to the real documents and institutions.
