AP US Government - American Political Culture and Democratic Theories

Vocabulary flashcards generated from AP US Government lecture notes covering core political ideals, Enlightenment figures, and democratic theories.

American political culture

A shared set of beliefs, values, etc. that define Americans' relationship to government.

Limited government

The principle that government is limited by the Constitution.

Democracy

A system of government where power is held by the people.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker who believed people are born with natural rights (life, liberty, property) that elites cannot take away, and that government is based on a social contract.

Social contract

An agreement where people give to the government the ability to rule over them to have an orderly society; if the government breaks it by violating natural rights, people have the right to replace it.

Baron de Montesquieu

A French Enlightenment figure who stated that power in government should be divided between different branches so no one branch will be too powerful.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that the government cannot take away (life, liberty, property), serving as a continuation of natural rights.

Negative liberty

Freedom from something, where the government promises not to do something to or from an individual (e.g., right to bear arms).

Positive liberty

Freedom to do something or pursue one's goals.

American Dream

Achieving goals by hard work, sacrifice, and talent.

Popular sovereignty

The concept that government's right to rule comes from the people, and citizens can replace the government if they are not happy.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy holding that widespread political participation (such as joining civil society groups) is needed for a democratic government.

Pluralist Theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of groups in making policies, where policymaking is complex and involves bargaining, compromise, and group influence.

Elitist Theory

A theory that a small minority group with economic power controls government and politics, and elected officials are overly influenced by wealthy groups.

Republicanism

A system where the authority of the government comes from the people through their representatives.

Totalitarian

A form of power that operates with no limits.

Authoritarian

A system that suppresses citizens in order to keep power.

Constitutional republic

A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws instead of each citizen voting directly for laws.