Terms Glossary

The national debt is the total amount of money owed by the federal government of the United States to its creditors, including individuals, businesses, and foreign governments. This debt is the result of borrowing by the government to cover budgetary deficits and other expenses.

A national party convention is an event where members of a political party gather to nominate their candidates for public office, endorse their platform, and conduct other party business. This is often done by delegates, who are selected by the party and represent their local party organization.

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 is a federal law that requires states to make voter registration more accessible by allowing registration through a variety of methods such as mail-in forms, motor vehicle offices, and public assistance offices. It also requires states to provide voter reg...

Nationalism is a political ideology that emphasizes and glorifies national identity within a population, usually based on shared history, culture, and language. It includes a belief that each nation has the right to determine its own destiny and that the collective well-being of the nation should ta...

Nativism is an exclusionary approach to politics that favors existing citizens over immigrants, and prioritizes the interests of the native-born population. It is a term used to describe a political ideology that seeks to preserve or promote the interests of native-born citizens, often at the expens...

Natural right is a concept that suggests that individuals have certain inherent rights that cannot be taken away. These rights are seen as being fundamental to a person's life and well-being, and include things such as the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Natural rights are seen...

A naturalized citizen is a person who was not born a U.S. citizen, but legally became a citizen through the naturalization process. Naturalization is a process that involves a formal application, background check, and the passing of an English language and civics test. Once naturalized, a person acq...

Neoconservatism is a political ideology that is characterized by a commitment to conservative social and economic principles combined with a reform-minded approach to foreign policy. Its definition is rooted in the idea that an assertive foreign policy is the best way to maintain a strong national s...

Neoliberalism is a political and economic ideology that seeks to promote individual liberty and free markets with limited government intervention. It is rooted in the belief that the market can provide solutions to many of society's problems. Neoliberalism is closely associated with the two-party sy...

New Federalism refers to the devolution of power from the federal government to state and local governments. It seeks to increase the autonomy of state and local governments in order to give them more control over the implementation of policy and the organization of their respective societies. New F...

The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a landmark reform that guarantees all citizens the right to vote regardless of sex. The amendment was ratified in 1920, after decades of advocacy from many dedicated activists and organizations. The amendment reads: "The right of citizens...

Nomination is the process of officially selecting a candidate for public office. This is usually done by a political party or committee, but in some cases, independent candidates can be nominated as well. Nomination is a critical step in the electoral process, as it brings clarity and focus to the e...

The term “nonpartisan” can describe a political system, process, or person that is not affiliated with any particular political party. This can include elections, appointments, and policy-making processes that are open to candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and viewpoints.