AP GOV

Government

The rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking.

Politics

The process of influencing the actions and policies of government.

Natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property which the government cannot take away.

Social Contract (John Locke)

The agreement that people will follow the government if it protects their independent rights; if not, they can overthrow it.

Popular sovereignty

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people.

Democracy

A system of government where power is held by the people.

American political culture

The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values shared by Americans.

Republicanism

A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people.

Unalienable rights

Rights that the government cannot take away.

Liberty

Social, political, and economic freedoms.

Sovereignty

The ability for a country to govern itself and maintain its borders.

Public Policy

Any action the government takes on an issue.

Direct Democracy

A system where everybody votes on all public policy and the majority wins, but the minority never wins.

Indirect Democracy

A form of democracy where people vote for representatives to make public policy.

Confederalism

A form of government with two levels of government: central and regional, where regional has more power.

Republic

A form of democracy where the executive is elected separately.

Federal Republic

Similar to a republic but with the supremacy of regional government found within the central government.