AP Gov Chapter 1 Vocab

Politics

the process of influencing the actions and policies of government

Government

the institutions that make up the system of policy making

Democracy

a system of government where power is held by the people including free and fair elections and civil rights and liberties

Natural rights

the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away

Social contract

an agreement between the people and the government where the people give up some freedoms and allow the government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

Popular sovereignty

the idea that the government's right to rule comes from the consent of the people

Limited government

a system in which the authority of the government is not absolute

Republicanism

a system in which the people elect representatives to carry out their wishes

Inalienable rights

rights the government cannot take away

Civil society groups

independent associations outside the government's control

Participatory democracy

a theory that widespread participation in politics and civil society is essential to democratic government

Pluralist theory

a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of non-governmental group-based activism in an effort to impact the policy making process

Elitist theory

a theory of democracy based on the premise that participation in politics and civil society is limited because elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process

Political institutions

the structure of government, including the executive branch, legislative, and judicial.

Constitutional republic

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

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 by US revolutionaries; it declared the United States as a free state. (not governing document; state of political thought)