CCSLC Social Studies key terms

The legal status of belonging to a country, carrying rights such as voting and protection, and duties such as obeying laws and paying taxes.

A system of government in which adult citizens choose their leaders through regular, free and fair elections and where power is limited by law.

The supreme set of rules that establishes how a country is governed, what powers government has, and what rights citizens hold.

The principle that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the same publicly known laws applied fairly by independent courts.

The division of government into legislative, executive and judicial branches so that no single body holds all authority unchecked.

The branch of government, often called parliament or congress, that debates and passes laws and approves the national budget.

The branch of government that carries out laws and runs public services, headed by a president, prime minister or cabinet.

The branch of government made up of courts and judges that interprets laws, settles disputes and decides whether laws are constitutional.

The right to vote in political elections, which may be limited by age, citizenship or, historically, by gender, race or property.

A formal process in which eligible voters choose representatives or decide an issue, usually by secret ballot.

The paper or electronic form on which a voter records a choice, or the secret voting process itself.

A defined geographical area whose voters elect one or more representatives to a legislature.

A proposed law presented to a legislature for debate, amendment and vote before it can become an Act.

A law that has completed all legislative stages and received official approval, making it legally binding.

Entitlements that people are owed, such as freedom of expression, education and a fair trial, often protected by law or constitution.

Duties that individuals owe to others and to society, such as obeying laws, paying taxes and respecting the rights of others.

Basic freedoms and protections believed to belong to every person regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity or religion.

Unfair treatment of a person or group based on characteristics such as sex, race, religion, disability or age.

The principle that all people deserve the same legal treatment and fair access to opportunities and services.

A preconceived negative opinion about a person or group formed without sufficient knowledge or evidence.

An oversimplified and fixed generalisation about all members of a group, often used to justify unfair treatment.

Dishonest use of power or position for private gain, such as bribery, embezzlement or favouritism in public appointments.

The obligation of leaders and officials to explain their decisions and accept responsibility for their actions to those they serve.

Openness in decision-making so that citizens can see how and why public money and power are used.

Work carried out by government bodies for the community, including health, education, policing and refuse collection.

The compulsory collection of money by government from individuals and businesses to fund public services and infrastructure.

A financial plan estimating expected income and planned spending over a set period, used by households and governments.

The basic economic problem that resources are limited while human wants are unlimited, forcing people to make choices.

The value of the next best alternative given up when a person or society chooses one option over another.

The relationship in which the quantity sellers offer and the quantity buyers want together determine market price.

An economic system in which private individuals and firms, rather than the state, decide what to produce and at what price.

A person who starts and runs a business, taking on financial risk in the hope of earning profit.

A sustained rise in the general level of prices, which reduces the purchasing power of money over time.

The growing interconnection of countries through trade, investment, travel, technology and the exchange of ideas and culture.

The movement of people from one place to another to live, either within a country or across international borders.

The rising share of a population living in towns and cities, usually driven by rural-to-urban migration and natural growth.

Development that meets present needs without destroying the resources and environment on which future generations depend.

Long-term shifts in global temperatures and weather patterns, mainly driven by human emission of greenhouse gases.

Power from sources that naturally replenish, such as sunlight, wind, water and geothermal heat, unlike coal or oil.

The basic physical systems a society needs, including roads, bridges, water pipes, electricity grids and communication networks.

Planned actions such as early warning, building codes and evacuation drills that lessen the harm caused by hazards.

A person forced to flee their country because of war, persecution or disaster and who seeks protection elsewhere.

An international organisation of sovereign states founded in 1945 to promote peace, human rights and cooperation on global problems.

The shared beliefs, values, language, customs, food and arts that shape the identity of a group of people.

Traditions, monuments, sites and practices inherited from earlier generations and considered worth preserving.

The lifelong process through which people learn the norms, values and behaviours expected in their society.

A person's sense of who they are, shaped by nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, family and personal experience.

A basic social unit of people related by blood, marriage, adoption or choice, which raises children and transmits culture.