AP Gov Ch. 1 Vocab

Politics

The process of influencing the actions and policies of the government

Government

The rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking

Democracy

A system of government where power is held by the people

Natural Rights

The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Social Contract

People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

American Political Culture

The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people

Republicanism

A system in which the government’s authority comes from the people through their representatives

Inalienable Rights

Rights the government cannot take away

Liberty

Social, political, and economic freedoms

Participatory Democracy

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

Civil Society Groups

Independent associations outside the government’s control

Pluralist Theory

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process

Elitist Theory

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Political Institutions

The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary

Constitutional Republic

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law