Unit 4 terms

Natural rights

Rights with which all humans are born, including the rights of life, liberty and property

Rationalism

A system of thought expanded by Rene Descartes based on the belief that reason is the chief source of knowledge

Absolutism

A political system in which a ruler holds total power

Divine right

Religious doctrine that a monarchs authority to rule comes from God

Montesquieu separation of powers

A political theory that divides governmental authority into legislative, executive, and judicial

The social contract

Individuals surrender some natural freedoms tot he collective good

Constitutional republic

A system where people elect representatives to govern

Oligarchy

the rule of the few; a form of government in which a select group of people exercises control

Egalitarianism

A political belief centered on the idea that all humans are fundamentally the same

Nordic model

A system where high taxes paid by people equals free education, health care, and child care