AP GOV TERMS

Politics

The process of influencing the actions and policies of a government

Government

The rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking within a country

Democracy

“demos”- people, “kratos”- power: power is held by the power

Natural Rights

The right to life, Liberty, and property, which government cannot take away

Social Contract

People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society. Break the contract and the people have the right to replace the unjust government with a just one

American Political Culture

The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share

Popular Sovreignty

the idea that the government’s right to rule come from the people

Republicanism

a system in which the government’s authority comes from the people

Inalienable Rights

Rights the government cannot take away

Liberty

social, political, and economic freedoms

Declaration of Independence

A statement of political philosophu and not a governing document