AP Government Unit 1.1: Democracy Ideals & Key Concepts

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Republicanism

A form of government in which leaders are elected for a specific period by the citizenry and laws are passed by these elected leaders for the benefit of the republic.

Social Contract

A theory in which individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the government in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights granted to all people by nature or God that cannot be taken away; often associated with life, liberty, and property (John Locke), or life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (Declaration of Independence).

Limited Government

A governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a constitution or other source of authority.

Democracy

A system of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislation or leaders.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly, rather than through representatives.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions.

Pluralist Democracy

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process. Power is distributed among many groups that compete to influence policy.

Elite Democracy

A model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision-making.

Declaration of Independence

A 1776 document written primarily by Thomas Jefferson declaring the 13 colonies independent from British rule. It outlines the philosophical justification for independence based on natural rights and social contract theory.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States, ratified in 1788, that outlines the framework of the federal government and enumerates its powers and limitations.