GoPro

Participatory Democracy

System of democracy where citizens are actively and directly involved in the political system (voting, protest, activism)

Pluralist Democracy

System of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy-making process (interest groups, federalism)

Elite Democracy

System of democracy that limits the citizens' role to the wealthy/educated society (electoral college, judicial appointments)

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence government policy by promoting their ideas and interests.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Social Contract

An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, like forming a government that protects your rights

Natural Rights

Rights that people have under natural law, including the right to life, liberty, and property, and the government cannot take them away

Declaration of Independence

Formal statement declaring the freedom of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. Includes ideas of Natural Rights, Pop. Sovereignty, and Social Contract.

Articles of Confederation

First constitution of the United States, lacked the power to tax, raise army, etc. and highlighted the need for a stronger national government

Bicameral legislature

A legislative body with two separate chambers or houses, like the US Congress

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a bicameral legislative branch, with representation based on population size.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for equal representation in Congress among the states

Connecticut Compromise

An agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention, providing a dual system of congressional representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention stating that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining representation in the House of Reps.

Slave Trade Compromise

An agreement during the Constitutional Convention prohibiting Congress from banning the slave trade until 1808.

Federalists

Supporters of the U.S. Constitution and a strong central government.

Anti-Federalist

Opponents of the U.S. Constitution and advocates for states' rights.

Federalist #10

An essay by James Madison in which he argued that a large republic would better protect minority rights and control the effects of factions.