Government - Unit 1

discernment

understanding; judgment

inalienable

inherent; characteristics of natural rights

innate

born in; inherited

natural law

inherent, unwritten laws derived from nature concerning rights of every individual that cannot be taken away

populace

common people

sovereignty

having supreme, absolute power

state

a politically organized body of people occupying a definite territory that has sovereignty and a government

tyranny

government characterized by unreasoned abuse of power

vestige

evidence of something no longer existing

civil rights

freedoms and liberties established by human law

espouse

to take on as a cause

ideology

a strong belief that guides a movement or cause

absolute monarchy

form of government in which the power to rule has been bestowed by God on those born to royalty

constitutional monarchy

the monarch serves as the ceremonial head of the state with limited power

constituent

a person who authorizes another to represent him

dictatorship

form of government in which absolute power is held by one person

subservient

to be submissive or subordinate

factors of production

land, labor, capital goods, and entrepreneurship used to create goods and services

laissez faire

economic theory advocating little or no government intervention for production or distribution of goods

mercantilism

system of government-controlled businesses concerning exports and imports