Ideals of Democracy – Vocabulary Review

32 vocabulary flashcards covering Enlightenment roots, founding documents, models of democracy, and key Federalist/Anti-Federalist writings relevant to U.S. democratic ideals.

Limited Government

A governing system in which powers are restricted to protect individual liberties; central democratic ideal reflected in U.S. founding documents.

Enlightenment

18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individual rights that inspired American democratic principles.

Natural Rights

Inherent, God-given liberties—life, liberty, and property—that cannot be taken by government, articulated by John Locke.

John Locke

English philosopher whose Second Treatise proposed natural rights and consent-based government; heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Hobbes

English thinker who described a chaotic ‘state of nature,’ arguing that people form governments to secure order.

State of Nature

Hypothetical pre-government condition of complete freedom used by Locke and Hobbes to justify forming governments.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that political power resides in the people, who delegate authority to government to protect their rights.

Social Contract

Mutual agreement in which people cede some freedom to a government that must protect their rights; breakable if the government becomes tyrannical.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Philosopher who formalized the social contract idea and argued that citizens should overthrow tyrannical governments.

Republicanism

Political doctrine where citizens elect representatives to make laws in the public interest.

Baron de Montesquieu

French author of ‘Spirit of the Laws’ who advocated separation of powers to prevent tyranny.

Separation of Powers

Division of governmental authority among executive, legislative, and judicial branches with checks and balances.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, that justified colonial separation from Britain using Enlightenment ideals.

Articles of Confederation

America’s first constitution (1781-1789) that created a weak central government and led to the Constitutional Convention.

Constitutional Convention

1787 Philadelphia meeting where delegates, led by James Madison, drafted the current U.S. Constitution.

Representative Republic

System in which citizens elect officials to legislate on their behalf, reflecting republicanism.

Participatory Democracy

Model emphasizing broad citizen involvement in decision-making, such as town halls, initiatives, and referenda.

Initiative

Process allowing voters to place proposed laws on the ballot for direct decision.

Referendum

Procedure enabling voters to approve or reject laws passed by a legislature.

Elite Democracy

Model that entrusts decision-making to a small, educated group, exemplified by the Electoral College and judicial appointments.

Electoral College

Body of state-chosen electors that formally selects the U.S. president, illustrating elite democratic elements.

Pluralist Democracy

Model where competing interest groups shape policy, preventing domination by any single faction.

Interest Group

Organization of individuals sharing a policy goal who lobby government, e.g., NRA or NAACP.

Federalism

System dividing authority between national and state governments, allowing states to craft their own laws.

Federalist Papers

Series of essays (1787-88) advocating ratification of the Constitution and explaining its framework.

Federalist No. 10

Essay by James Madison arguing that a large republic controls factions and protects liberty.

Faction

Group of citizens united by common interests contrary to the rights of others or the community as a whole.

Tyranny of the Majority

Risk that a majority faction will oppress minority rights; addressed by Madison in Federalist No. 10.

Brutus No. 1

Anti-Federalist essay warning that a strong central government would endanger liberties and favor participatory democracy.

Checks and Balances

Mechanism allowing each branch of government to limit the powers of the others, preventing abuse.

Philadelphia Convention

Alternate name for the Constitutional Convention where the current Constitution was drafted.

James Madison

‘Father of the Constitution’ and author of Federalist No. 10 who advanced separation of powers and republicanism.