FREE TRADE: The international exchange of goods and services that takes place without government regulation.

FUNDAMENTALISM: Beliefs that sacred books should be taken literally. Christian fundamentalists believe that creationism, or the belief that God made all creatures, should be taught in public school.

GENOCIDE: The mass killing of a specific group of people usually belonging to a certain race or religion, performed in order to eliminate that group completely. This is currently taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. Learn more about this issue and how to help here!

GLOBAL WARMING: An increase in the average temperature of the earth’s surface, air, and oceans. This leads to climate changes and creates environmental damage. Learn more about environmental awareness in our Earth to CG! section!

GREEN PARTY: A political party that focuses on environmental issues and supports social justice and human rights.

IMMIGRATION: The process by which a person moves into a new country to live there permanently. Immigrants have to apply in order to become citizens of the U.S.; if they're not, they are considered illegal immigrants.

INDEPENDENT PARTY: A political party organized as opposition to the existing parties in a two-party system. In June 2007, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg left the Republican party and switched to unaffiliated. This move caused many people to speculate that he’ll run as an independent in the 2008 election.

LIBERAL: Not bound by tradition, religion or other extreme forms. The Democratic party is generally considered to be the liberal major party. They emphasize achieving social change through the federal government. In the U.S. political spectrum, they are defined as being left-wing.

MUDSLINGING: The practice of trying to discredit political opponents by spreading lies and exaggerations about them. This is a part of what is called negative campaigning, and can be viewed in the television commercials of certain candidates.

NATIONAL DEBT: The amount of money that the government owes.

NONPARTISAN: Not adhering to a specific political party.

POLITICAL PARTY PLATFORMS: A formal written statement of a political party's principles and goals.

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