U.S GOV

John Locke

British philosopher whose ideas influenced the founders of the United States government, including natural rights and the social contract.

Democracy

Government in which the people have the power to make political decisions.

Unitary

Political power placed in a single central government, which may delegate some powers to smaller units.

Parliamentary

System of government where power is in the legislative branch, and the legislature chooses the head of government.

Federal

System of government where powers are divided between a central government and individual states.

Authoritarian

Government in which power rests in the hands of a few elites, often ruled by dictators.

Direct Democracy

Form of government where all citizens come together to pass laws and make decisions.

Executive Branch

Responsible for putting policies into effect, may include a president, chancellor, or prime minister.

Confederate

System of government where smaller states unite into a loose alliance, with limited powers for the central government.

Authority

Power exercised by one person or group over another, supported by law, moral code, or group affiliation.

Preamble

Introduction to a formal document, stating its purpose, such as the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Sovereign

Person, group, or government with independent authority to make policies and decisions.

Oligarchy

Government ruled by a small number of privileged and corrupt individuals.

Legislative Branch

Responsible for making laws in a nation or state.

State

Defined territory with a self-ruling government.

Thomas Hobbes

British political scientist who believed in a social contract and the need for law and order.

Government

Processes, officials, and bodies that manage a society, providing a framework for interaction and regulation.

Dictatorship

Government where a single person or small group has absolute power.

Representative Democracy

System where citizens choose leaders to work on their behalf.

Presidential

System where legislative and executive branches are separate, with a president as head of the executive branch.

Totalitarian

Government where rulers have total power and people have little freedom.

Monarchy

Government where a single person, usually through heredity, functions as the head of state.

Limited Government

Government with checks on its power by voters and a constitution.

Mayflower Compact

Document creating a government and framework for self-government in the American colonies.

Consent of the Governed

Principle that the power of legitimate governments should come from the consent of the people.

Rule of Law

Method of governing based on clear laws, equality before the law, and fairness.

Common Sense

Pamphlet by Thomas Paine advocating for independence from Great Britain in clear and simple language.