Paine, Thomas (1737-1809) - English-born American political theorist and pamphleteer who wrote in defense of the ideals of the American Revolution. His most famous work, Common Sense, was published in 1776, and influenced people throughout the colonies to support the patriot cause.

Pardon - legal forgiveness for a crime. Governors can issue pardons for state crimes, and the President can issue pardons for federal crimes.

Partisan - partial to a particular party or person, often political in nature. One criticism of federal politics, especially regarding Congress, is that some politicians spend more time and effort trying to promote their party's platform than trying to develop laws and policies which serve the American people.

Party identification - belief that one belongs to a certain party, and the extent to which that belief affects one's political views and actions.

Patent and Trademark Office - part of the Department of Commerce. The Patent and Trademark Office grants patents and registers trademarks to applicants who pass their examination process. In (fiscal year) 1993, for example, the office registered about 86,122 trademark and renewed 6,182; and issued about 107,000 patents.

Peace Corps - independent federal agency in the executive branch. The Peace Corps was created in 1961, and was made an independent agency in 1981. Its goal is to promote peace and international cooperation by helping other nations meet their needs for trained and educated people, as well as offering opportunities for Americans to serve those in need. Peace Corps volunteers are trained in the language of the country they are serving, and become part of the indigenous communities.

Pentagon - building in Washington, D.C. that is shaped like a pentagon (five-sided figure). The Pentagon serves as the headquarters for the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Built during World War II, the Pentagon is the largest office building in the world. It holds 20 miles of corridors; 24,000 employees; 4,200 clocks; 685 water fountains; and 87,000 telephones connected by 100,000 miles of cable. Every day, employees and others in the building drink about 30,000 cups of coffee and make about 200,000 telephone calls.

Petit jury - a trial jury, which weighs the evidence against someone accused of a crime, and determines his or her guilt or lack of guilt under the law. Trial or petit juries traditionally have 12 people, although several states have juries with only 6 people. In most states, all the members of the jury must make their decision on the person's guilt or lack of guilt (verdict) unanimously. Some states, however, only require a majority which is greater than a simple majority. If a jury cannot agree on verdict, it is declared a "hung jury," and the matter is either dropped or brought to another trial with a new jury.

Petition of Right (1629) - British document guaranteeing the right of representation in determining taxation. Along with the British Bill of Rights (1689) and the Act of Settlement (1701), this law helped shape the British constitutional system.

Platform - set of opinions and ideas for policy, upon which the members of a political party decide. Party members often determine their platforms in caucuses.

Political action committee (PAC) - an independent organization established by interest groups, political candidates, and people who hold office. PACs serve to raise and contribute money to the political campaigns of individuals whose platforms agree with the aims of the PAC. These organizations were founded because federal laws prohibit most interest groups from contributing money directly to political campaigns.

Political culture - basic beliefs, customs and assumptions about government which are shared by the people in a group or nation.

Political participation - becoming involved in activities such as voting, running for political office, signing petitions and other activities which help citizens make an impact on public or political issues.

Political party - organized group of people who want to control or influence government by winning elections, holding public office, and having the government's laws and policies reflect their political beliefs. In the United States, there are two major parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

Politics - an area of activity aimed at influencing or controlling the government in order to formulate or guide public policy.

Poll tax - a tax a person is required to pay before he or she is allowed to vote. Poll taxes were used in many southern states after the Reconstruction period to restrict African-American citizens' right to vote.

Popular sovereignty - idea that government should reflect the general will of the people, or the interests that all citizens have in common. Political theorist Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78) described this concept in Du contrat social (The Social Contract), published in 1762.

Popular vote - vote of the people of a nation or group. In the United States, this contrasts with an electoral vote, which is done by a small group of electors, rather than the general public.

Pork-barrel legislation - laws that directs funds to local projects in an area which a member of Congress represents.

Precinct - smallest, most local unit in the typical structure of political parties at the local level. Precincts act as voting districts, and cover an area of several blocks.

President - Chief Executive of the United States, Head of State and Commander and Chief of the US Armed Forces. The President of the United States is elected every 4 years, by the Electoral College.

Primary - process by which members of a party elect candidates to run for office as the representative of the party. Primaries are held in national presidential elections, as well as more local elections.

Prior restraint - blocking a story before it is punished or broadcast

Privileges and immunities - refers to Article IV, Section 2 of the Constitution, which guarantees that "citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens" in any other state in the United States.

Progressive Party - nicknamed the "Bull Moose" Party, led by Theodore Roosevelt. The nickname came from Roosevelt's frequently-uttered statement that he felt "as strong as a bull moose." The party stood for lower tariffs, conservation policies, government regulation of big business, women's right to vote; an eight-hour work day; and the prohibition of child labor. In 1912, Roosevelt ran for President as a Progressive Party candidate. Although he lost the election, he was able to garner 27.4% of the popular vote, making him the most successful third-party candidate in American history.

Proportional representation - system of electing members of the legislature, in which the number of seats given to a particular party is determined by the percentage of the popular vote which goes to that party. This system is used in many countries, including most European nations.

Public Health Service - umbrella organization of the Department of Health and Human Services. It contains the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institute of Health.

Public policy - actions which the government takes to address problems and issues raised in society and introduced through the political system.

Public service - time, effort and energy given to local, state or national communities, generally through opportunities in appointed or elected office.