America's founding ideals

Direct Democracy

GOV'T -PEOPLE VOTE---A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Representative Democracy (Republic)

GOV'T-ELECT LEADERS ---A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Liberty

FREEDOM TO HAVE CONTROL OF LIFE---the ability of individuals to have control over their lives

Equality

SAME RIGHTS---As a political value, the idea that all people have the same rights and opportunities

Consent of the Governed / Popular Sovereignty

POWER OF THE PEOPLE---A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Limited Government

RESTRICTED POWER TO RULE----A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Federalism

SPLIT POWER -NATIONAL & STATE----A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Separation of Powers

SPLIT POWER-- 3 BRANCHES----Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Checks & Balances

EACH BRANCH LIMITS EACH OTHER's POWER----A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Unalienable Rights aka Natural Rights

BASIC RIGHTS-CAN'T TAKE AWAY---basic rights of the people that may not be taken away (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness)

Social Contract

AGREEMENT -GOV'T & PEOPLE----an agreement between the citizens and the government; the citizens will trade some individual freedom in exchange for the government's responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens

Rule of Law

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW; the laws apply to everyone regardless of their position

Civil Liberties

CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOMS guaranteed to all citizens; Bill of Rights; Ex: Freedom of speech, religion, trial by jury

Individual Rights

rights guaranteed or belonging to a person