Unit 1a: Constitution

Limited Government

Government limited in power

Natural Rights

Universal and inalienable rights

Popular Sovereignty

Government’s legitimacy and authority derived from the consent of the governed

Social Contract

When citizens sacrifice some of their rights, the government should protect the rest

Republicanism

Power is held by voters and exercised by electing representatives

Consent of the Governed

Government’s legitimacy comes from the approval of the people

Elite democracy

A small number of people, often the wealthy and well-educated, have the most influence

Plural democracy

No one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy

Participatory democracy

Citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions

Federalist v. Anti- federalist

F: strong national government

A-F: strong state governments

Virginia Plan

Congress representation should be based on population

New Jersey Plan

Congress representation should be equal with each state having 1 representative

Great Compromise

AKA Connecticut Plan, created a bicameral Congress with a Senate and House of Representatives