Unit 1 Principles and Documents

Limited Government

Definition: The government can only do the things that people give it the power to do. Government’s power is not unlimited!

My words: Limited power

Majority rule

Definition: The government must do what the majority of people vote for.

My words: Responsible representative

Federalism

Definition: A system of government where power is divided between the central government and the states.

Separation of Powers

Dividing governments into branches with different powers so that no one branch becomes too powerful.

Principle

Definition: A basic truth or fundamental law.

Rule of Law

Definition: Everyone must obey the law, including government officials.

Democracy

A system of government where the people rule.

Republicanism (Representative Democracy)

A government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions, laws, and run the government for them (on their behalf).

Popular Sovereignty (the consent of the Government)

All power in government comes from the permission of the people; the people give power and authority to the government, in return for protection of their rights.

Fundamental

Definition: Serving as a foundation or source of origin; everything is built from this.

Direct Democracy

Direct democracy only works with a smaller group of people, like a town hall meeting or ancient Greece.

Checks and Balances

Definition: Each branch is able to check the power of the other branches in order to maintain a balance of power in government.