What is Civics?
Civics is a branch of political science that focuses on the role of citizens in their governments. In many nations, it is a fundamental part of instruction for students who are about to graduate, ensuring that every citizen has at…
Constitutional Amendments
What are Individual Rights?
Individual rights are those principles that are held by a single person rather than an entire group. The rights of individuals can be mandated by the law, provided by social means, or gained through self-determination. These rights are generally associated…
In the United States, what are the Three Branches of Government?
Long ago, when the Founding Fathers of the U.S. wrote the Constitution, they wanted to ensure that no one person in government had absolute power or authority. They had learned that such power was dangerous because of the years of…
Which States did Not Originally Ratify the 13th Amendment?
Mississippi was the last state to ratify the 13th Amendment, which bans slavery in the United States — and its legislature only voted to do so in 1995, 130 years after it was originally ratified. It also failed to officially…
What is the Rule of Four?
The rule of four is a custom of the United States Supreme Court that dictates that, if four justices decide that a case is worthy of being heard, the Court will agree to hear it. This rule is designed to…
What Is the Lautenberg Amendment?
The Lautenberg Amendment is a nickname for an amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. The 104th United States Congress, meeting in Washington, D.C., between 3 January 1995 and 3 January 1997, enacted it in 1996. It is named…
What is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act?
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a federal law passed in the United States in 1978 to protect debtors rights. It is codified as a federal statute in the United States Code under 15 U.S.C. § 1692. Its…
What Is the 12th Amendment?
The 12th Amendment of the United States Constitution details the procedure that the Electoral College uses to elect both the President and Vice President. It was ratified on 15 June 1804, and this procedure has been used in every presidential…
What Is Freedom of the Press?
The press refers to the agencies and people involved in collecting and conveying the news. This includes printed news outlets, such as newspapers and periodicals; broadcast news, such as radio and television news; and news spread over the Internet through…
What is an Executive Agreement?
An executive agreement is an arrangement established by the President of the United States between the US and another foreign nation or agency. It is one of the primary tools in the arsenal of the executive branch when dealing with…