DE Gov Unit 1.1 and 1.2

Patriotism

A citizen’s pride in their state

Citizenship

An individual’s relation to the state, they swear allegiance in return for certain rights

Local Autonomy

Power to enact laws

State

An organized and institutionalized political unit with established government that controls its own affairs

Monopoly On Violence

Use of force that is the only entity in its jurisdiction to legitimately use force

Sovereignty

Independence from control of its internal affairs and has international recognition

Regime

Fundamental rules of politics regarding powers and freedoms

Government

Leadership or elite in charge of running the state

Head of State

Official representative of the state

Head of Government

Coordinates foreign and domestic policy

Legitimacy

Right to rule recognized by the citizens of a state

Rational/Legal Legitimacy

Most common form based on a system of laws

Equal Access Act of 1984 (EAA)

Allows high schools to have religious clubs

Democracy

Power is held by the people

Natural Rights

John Locke’s and Thomas Hobbes argued that all individuals were free and equal

Social Contract

People allow a government to rule over tem and if they fail, people have a right to overthrow them

American Political Culture

Ideas of liberty, equality, and rights

Popular Sovereignty

Government’s right to rule comes from the people

Inalienable Rights

Rights the government can’t take away

Liberty

Freedom from government interference or freedom to pursue one’s dreams

Participatory Democracy

The theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

Civil Society Groups

Independent association outside the government

Pluralist Theory

Democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in policy making process

Elitist Theory

Elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process

Political Institutions

The structure of government, including executive, legislative, and judiciary

Constitutional Republic

The constitution is the supreme law

Centralized

Unitary, authority over all government

Decentralized

Federal, government gives power to local territories

Politics

The process that determines whom we select as our leaders

Nation

A group that desires self-government

National Identity

A sense of belonging to a nation, basis of nationalism

Political Efficacy

A citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events

Political Socialization

How citizens learn about their government and how education affects attitudes towards government

Political Participation

The level of voluntary activities undertaken by the public

Political Attitudes

Views regarding the change in the balance between freedom and equality

Political Ideologies

Sets of political values held by individuals

Political Transparency

The government’s obligation to share information with its citizens

Consensual Political Culture

Accepts the legitimacy of the regime and solutions to major problems

Conflictual Political Culture

Sharply divided, often on both legitimacy and regime

Social Contract Theory

The belief that people are equal by nature and give their consent to be governed

Thomas Hobbes

Believed Government, was necessary, strong monarchy was  justifiable, and people must give up certain rights to government

The Leviathan

Written by Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

Believed government should regulate and preserve property and if governments act improperly they lose the consent of the governed

Montesquieu

Believed government should maintain law and order, the best form of government is one that fits best with the people and separation of government and people are naturally timid

Spirit of the Laws

Written by Montesquieu

State of War

Once humans enter society it begins according to Montesquieu

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Believed joining together citizens abandon natural rights

Classical Republicanism

Built around concepts such as liberty and self-government

The Social Contract

Written by Jean Jacques Rousseau

Magna Carta

Placed checks on the power of a monarch in 1215

English Civil War

Led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England

Glorious Revolution

The events leading to the deposition of James II of England and establishing William and Mary as monarchs

English Bill of Rights

 Established the principles of frequent parliaments, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament

Constitutional Monarchy

Form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state but powers are defined and limited by law

3/5s Compromise

How slaves were valued

Two Treatises of Governement

Written by John Locke