Unit 1 terms

A set of fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering core concepts, thinkers, and legal documents from two pages of notes.

Constitution

The written framework of government that outlines powers, responsibilities, and limits.

Constitutionalism

The principle that government authority is derived from and limited by a body of fundamental law. Has to ordered liberty and limited government.

Limited Government

Government powers are restricted to protect individual rights.

Ordered Liberty

Freedom exists within limits that protect the rights of others.

Monarchy

Rule by one person, usually hereditary.

Tyranny

Abuse of power by a ruler or government.

Aristocracy

Rule by the elite or noble class.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small, powerful group.

Polity

A political community organized under a government.

Democracy

Government by the people, directly or through representatives.

Direct Democracy

Citizens directly make laws and decisions.

Republic

Government in which elected representatives make decisions for the people.

Classical Republicanism

Political philosophy stressing civic virtue, common good, and citizen participation.

Civic Virtue

Citizens’ willingness to put the common good above personal interests.

Plato

Advocated rule by philosopher-kings, skeptical of democracy.

Aristotle

Believed in 'polity,' a balanced government mixing democracy and oligarchy.

Cicero

Roman thinker; emphasized natural law, civic duty, and republicanism.

Divine Right

Belief that monarchs rule by God’s will.

John Locke

Believed in natural rights (life, liberty, property) and consent of the governed.

Thomas Hobbes

Advocated strong authority to avoid chaos; 'state of nature' is brutish.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Social contract theory; believed in popular sovereignty and direct democracy.

Baron de Montesquieu

Advocated separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Machiavelli

Emphasized pragmatism in politics ('the ends justify the means').

Edmund Burke

Father of modern conservatism; valued tradition and gradual change.

Alexis de Tocqueville

Observed American democracy; stressed importance of civic associations.

John Stuart Mill

Supported individual liberty and utilitarianism.

John Rawls

Philosopher of justice and fairness; 'veil of ignorance' thought experiment.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all humans (Locke).

Popular Sovereignty

Government derives power from the people.

Consent of the Governed

Legitimate authority requires people’s approval.

Right of Revolution

People may overthrow an abusive government.

Social Contract Theory

Agreement where individuals consent to form government for protection.

State of Nature

Hypothetical condition without government; philosophers used it to justify authority.

Feudalism

Medieval system of lords, vassals, and serfs; shaped ideas of hierarchy.

Renaissance

Revival of classical thought; emphasis on humanism and reason.

Reformation

Religious movement challenging church authority; encouraged freedom of conscience.

The Enlightenment

The intellectual movement stressing reason, science, and rights.

Common Law

English system based on precedent and tradition.

Magna Carta

Limited king’s power; established rule of law.

Rights of Englishmen

Traditional rights developed over time (jury trial, due process).

Rule of Law

Law applies equally to all, even rulers.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

Court order protecting against unlawful imprisonment.

Stuart Kings

English monarchs whose absolutism led to resistance and revolution.

Petition of Right

Limited king’s power; no taxation without Parliament’s consent.

English Civil War

Conflict between monarchy and Parliament over sovereignty.

Commonwealth

Government without a monarch, ruled by Parliament and Cromwell.

Glorious Revolution

Overthrew James II; established constitutional monarchy.

English Bill of Rights

Guaranteed Parliament’s power and certain individual rights.

William Blackstone

Wrote 'Commentaries on the Laws of England'; influenced American law.

Slavery Abolition Act 1833

Ended slavery in the British Empire.

Massachusetts Body of Liberties

First legal code in New England; protected rights.

Pennsylvania Frame of Government

William Penn’s constitution; stressed religious freedom and self-government.

Indentured Servant

Person bound by contract to work for a period in exchange for passage.

Primogeniture

Inheritance law where eldest son inherits entire estate.

Separation of Powers

Division of authority among legislative, executive, judicial branches.

Salutary Neglect

British policy of ignoring colonies’ self-government before Revolution.

Writs of Assistance

Broad search warrants used by British officials.

Declaration of Independence

Asserted colonies’ independence; based on natural rights.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

Model for Bill of Rights; emphasized natural rights.

Massachusetts Constitution

Oldest functioning constitution; influenced U.S. Constitution.

Enlightened Self-Interest

Doing good for others ultimately benefits oneself.