Unit 1 Vocab Terms Government

Natural Rights

Rights that human beings possess simply because they are born

Social Contract

An actual or hypothetical agreement among the members of an organized society or between a community and its ruler that defines and limits the rights and duties of each (agreeing to get protection in exchange for some freedoms)

Separation of Powers

The division of government authority into three branches of government, each with specified duties on which neither of the other branches can encroach

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of a government to amend, override, or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power or power beyond its authority

Rule of Law

A principle under which all persons, institutions, and entities are accountable to laws (everyone, no matter how powerful, is bound by the law)

Popular Sovereignty

Government based on consent of the people

Democratic Republic

Leaders are chosen by who they represent

Federalism

A system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government (state and national governments coexist and are balanced)

Individual Freedoms

Freedoms each person hold against government power (things anyone can do as long as they are not detrimental to others)