Citizenship and civics concepts

The cards, front and back

1. 1
   Front

   Democracy

   Back

   A system of government in which power comes from the people, who choose their leaders and influence decisions, usually through free and fair elections.

2. 2
   Front

   Representative democracy

   Back

   Citizens elect representatives, such as members of parliament or congress, to make laws and decisions on their behalf.

3. 3
   Front

   Direct democracy

   Back

   Citizens vote on laws or decisions themselves, for example in a referendum, instead of leaving them to representatives.

4. 4
   Front

   Referendum

   Back

   A vote in which all eligible citizens decide a single question, such as a change to the constitution.

5. 5
   Front

   Rule of law

   Back

   The principle that everyone, including government leaders, must follow the law, and that laws are public, applied equally and enforced fairly.

6. 6
   Front

   Constitution

   Back

   The set of fundamental rules that sets out how a country is governed, what powers each part of government has and, often, the rights of citizens.

7. 7
   Front

   Separation of powers

   Back

   Dividing government into separate branches so no single person or group holds all power. The usual three are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

8. 8
   Front

   Legislature

   Back

   The branch of government that makes and changes laws, such as a parliament, congress or national assembly.

9. 9
   Front

   Executive

   Back

   The branch that puts laws into action and runs the government day to day, led by a president or prime minister and their ministers.

10. 10
    Front

    Judiciary

    Back

    The courts and judges, who interpret the law and decide whether it has been broken.

11. 11
    Front

    Checks and balances

    Back

    Ways each branch of government can limit the others, such as courts reviewing laws or the legislature questioning ministers.

12. 12
    Front

    Independence of the judiciary

    Back

    Judges must be free to decide cases according to the law, without pressure from politicians or other powerful groups.

13. 13
    Front

    Head of state vs head of government

    Back

    The head of state represents the country, often in a ceremonial role. The head of government leads the government. In some countries one person holds both roles.

14. 14
    Front

    Republic vs constitutional monarchy

    Back

    In a republic, the head of state is usually elected or appointed, not a monarch. In a constitutional monarchy, a king or queen is head of state, but their powers are limited by the constitution.

15. 15
    Front

    Federal vs unitary system

    Back

    In a federal system, power is shared between a national government and states or provinces. In a unitary system, the national government holds most power.

16. 16
    Front

    Universal suffrage

    Back

    The right of all adult citizens to vote, regardless of sex, race, wealth or religion.

17. 17
    Front

    Secret ballot

    Back

    Voting in private so nobody can see or pressure how a person votes.

18. 18
    Front

    Political party

    Back

    A group of people with shared ideas who organise to win elections and form a government.

19. 19
    Front

    Opposition

    Back

    Parties or members not in government, whose role includes questioning the government and offering alternatives.

20. 20
    Front

    Human rights

    Back

    Basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person, such as the right to life, freedom of thought and equality before the law. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN in 1948.

21. 21
    Front

    Freedom of speech

    Back

    The right to express opinions without government censorship. Most democracies set some limits, for example on threats or defamation.

22. 22
    Front

    Presumption of innocence

    Back

    A person accused of a crime is treated as innocent until proven guilty in a fair trial.

23. 23
    Front

    Rights and responsibilities

    Back

    Citizens have rights, such as voting and a fair trial, and responsibilities, such as obeying laws, paying taxes, respecting the rights of others and, in some countries, voting or serving on a jury.

24. 24
    Front

    Ways to become a citizen

    Back

    Common routes are by birth in a country, by descent from a citizen parent, and by naturalisation after living in a country and meeting legal requirements. The rules vary by country.