Government and Legal Terms

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amendment

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a change or addition to a written document

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confederation

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a loose alliance of countries, states, and other political units in which each unit maintains most or all power over itself

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democracy

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a form of government in which the people rule, either directly or through elected representatives

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due process

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a legal process established to make sure people are not punished without first being proven guilty in a fair trial

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representative democracy

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a government where the people vote for (elect) a smaller group of citizens to make the laws for everyone

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ratify

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to give formal approval to something so it can become legal or valid

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republic

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a country governed by elected representatives and by an elected leader (such as a president)

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rights

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freedoms that are protected by law.