Gov Chapter 3

constitutionalism

idea that government should be based on an established set of principles, usually spelled out in a written constitution

majority rule

idea that decisions approved by more than half of these people in a group or society will be accepted and observed by all of the people

bicameral

Under the Virginia plan, the new government would have this, a two house legislature

unicameral

one house legislature in which all states had equal representation

electoral college

is the body would be made up of electors from each state who would cast votes to elect the president and vice president

federalists

favored the creation of a strong federal government that shared power with the states

anti federalists

were people who preferred the loose association of states established under the Articles of Confederation

natural law

belief that there exists, beyond the frame work of human laws , a universal set of principles that can be applied to any culture or system of justice. could be discovered using reason and sense of right and wrong.

representative government

idea of republicanism, decision making by officials elected from the citizenry

charter

a written grant of authority

rule of law

says that the king can not sell, deny, or delay justice

limited government

the petition of rights underscored the principle of this _____ by affirming that the kings power was not absolute

individual rights

established in magna carta and petition of right. right to petition the King, right to bear arms, freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. right to jury trial. kind couldn't levy taxes or maintain and army during peacetime

natural rights

rights that all people have by virtue of being human. right to life, to liberty, and to ownership of property produced or gained through ones labor.

separation of powers

three bran system of government. executive , legislative, judicial. idea that powers of a government should be split between two or more strongly independent ranches to prevent any one group or person from gaining too much power

popular sovereignty

general will of the people, principle that people are the ultimate source of the authority and legitimacy of a government

compact

agreement, from the governing of the new colony

militias

groups of armed citizens, to defend their rights. formed by colonial patriots

unalienable rights

governments are formed to protect this, right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

ratification

formal approval