Vest AP Gov Vocab Unit 1, Week 1

Democracy-Oligarchy

Democracy

A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.

Direct democracy

Where citizens deliberate and vote directly on laws, policies, and constitutional changes, rather than electing representatives to make those decisions on their behalf.

Representative Democracy (republic)

Where citizens exercise their power by voting to elect officials who make laws, set policies, and govern on their behalf.

Constitutional democracy

Enforces recognized legal limits on those who govern while allowing the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair, and regular elections

Constitutionalism

a political theory and system of government where the state’s power is derived from the people and is strictly limited by a written or unwritten constitution

Statism

Political and economic philosophy that the central government should play a primary, active role in directing a country’s economy, society, and public life rather than leaving those matters to individual choice or free markets.

Popular Consent

Political principle that a government derives its legitimacy and right to rule only with the approval of the people it governs.

Majority Rule

Democratic principle stating that the option or candidate receiving more than half of the votes wins and election or makes a binding decision for the entire group.

Majority

More than 50% of the total votes, seats, or participants

Plurality

an electoral rule where the candidate or choice with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive an absolute majority

Theocracy

System of government where a deity is recognized as the supreme ruler, and laws are administered by religious leaders or clergy acting under divine guidance.

Dictatorship

Form of government in which a single person or a small group holds absolute power with no constitutional limits or accountability to the people

Autocracy

System of government in which all power and authority are concentrated in the hands of a single individual (an autocrat) who rules with no effective legal, constitutional, or legislative limits

Oligarchy

a form of government where political and social power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people, often defined by wealth, family status, corporate control, military power or region, who generally rule for their own self-interest rather than for the general public.