Philosophy of Government Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms, philosophical ideas, types of government, republican principles, and limiting mechanisms from the Philosophy of Government review guide.

Republican government

A system of government where citizens pass their power to elected leaders who represent them.

Direct democracy

A form of government where citizens make laws themselves and vote directly on every single law.

Representative democracy

A form of government where citizens use elected leaders to make laws and represent them in government.

Common good

Whatever helps the whole community rather than just one person.

Civic virtue

The requirement that citizens and leaders put aside personal desires to support what is best for the public.

Cincinnatus

A Roman figure remembered as an example of civic virtue because he led Rome to victory in battle, gave up his military power, and returned to farming.

James Madison

A Founder who changed the traditional idea of a republic to fit the colonies by combining direct voting for leaders with elected lawmakers to build a representative democracy.

Constitution

A rulebook that explains how a government functions and how laws are made.

Rule of law

The principle that everyone, including government leaders and the president, must follow the law.

Separation of powers

The division of authority among several branches (making laws, carrying out laws, and interpreting laws) so no single part gets total control.

Consent of the governed

The concept that citizens give permission to be governed by exercising their right to vote.

Rights of the minority

Protections that ensure small or unpopular groups are treated fairly despite majority rule.

Checks and balances

The core concept that ensures one branch of government can limit the actions of another branch.

State of Nature

A concept describing the condition of people living without a government or laws.

Social Contract

An agreement where people give up certain freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and order.

Sovereign

A supreme ruler or monarch holding ultimate political power.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's idea that individuals are born as a blank slate and shaped by experience.

Natural Rights

Fundamental rights that belong to all human beings from birth.

Dictatorship

A government system where a single ruler holds absolute authority and total control over the nation.

Monarchy

A government system ruled by a single monarch, such as a king or queen.

Oligarchy

A form of government where power is held by a small group of wealthy or privileged citizens.

Theocracy

A government system ruled by religious leaders or based on religious laws.

Anarchy

A state of society lacking government, laws, or central authority.

Delegate

A person selected or elected to represent others in government or meetings.

Faction

A group of citizens united by a specific passion or interest that may differ from the whole community.