Lecture Notes - Political Culture, Forms of Government, Founding Ideals, and Critical Thinking (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Pages 1–12, including political culture, forms of government, foundational documents, critical thinking concepts, and major theories of power.

Political culture

The widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of a people about politics, rooted in national traditions.

Habits of the Heart

Alexis de Tocqueville’s idea describing Americans’ enduring civic habits and commitments.

European Enlightenment influence

14th–18th century ideas about liberty, rights, and government that shaped American political ideals.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document asserting natural rights and explaining the colonies' reasons for independence.

Liberty

Freedom from abusive government; includes political liberty as a birthright and religious freedom.

Monarchy

A form of government ruled by a king, queen, or monarch.

Absolute Monarchy

Monarchy where the sovereign’s power is unrestricted by laws or a constitution.

Divine Right

The belief that a monarch’s authority is God-given.

Limited/Constitutional Monarchy

Monarchy whose powers are limited by a constitution and/or parliament.

Self-government

Popular sovereignty; power comes from the people rather than a ruler.

Citizen comes first

Idea that the individual citizen’s rights and welfare precede the power of government.

Rugged individualism

A strong emphasis on personal independence and self-reliance.

Individualism

A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency.

Equality

The belief that all individuals have equal moral worth and are entitled to equal treatment under law.

Self-government (again)

Power derives from the people; governance is by and for the citizens.

Mayflower Compact

Early colonial agreement establishing self-governance and consent to rule.

Virginia House of Burgesses

America’s first colonial representative assembly (1619).

Delegate representation

Representatives should do what voters want (vote as delegates).

Trustee representation

Representativess should do what they believe is best, even if it conflicts with voters’ wishes.

Salutary neglect

British policy of lax enforcement allowing colonial institutions to flourish.

Mercantilism

Economic policy maximizing exports and limiting imports to strengthen national power.

Direct democracy

A form of democracy where citizens vote on all major issues themselves.

Representative democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Stamp Act

1765 tax on printed materials that sparked colonial resistance.

Townshend Acts

Taxes on colonial imports that intensified conflict with Britain.

Boston Massacre

March 5, 1770 clash fueling anti-British sentiment in the colonies.

Boston Tea Party

1773 protest against taxation by dumping tea into Boston Harbor.

Common Sense

Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet advocating independence from Britain.

Committee of Five

Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Sherman, Livingston; drafted the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Jefferson

Author of the main ideas in the Declaration; influenced by John Locke.

John Adams

Influential Founding Father and member of the Committee of Five.

Unalienable rights

Rights that cannot be taken away; cornerstone of natural rights (e.g., life, liberty, pursuit of happiness).

Natural rights

Rights inherent to all humans, identified by John Locke as life, liberty, and property (later rights updated in the Declaration).

“All men are created equal”

Foundational idea in the Declaration asserting equal moral worth.

Articles of Confederation

First American constitution; created a weak national government and strong state sovereignty.

Weak central government

Under the Articles, Congress lacked power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws.

Unanimous consent to amend

To change the Articles, all states had to agree.

Powers of Congress (Articles)

Declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, raise armies and navies, establish post offices.

Shays’ Rebellion

1786–87 farmer uprising that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles and pushed for a constitutional convention.

Constitutional Convention (Philadelphia 1787)

Meeting to revise the Articles; produced a new framework for national government (the Constitution).

Montesquieu

Philosopher who argued for separation of powers to protect liberty.

Separation of powers

Division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and balances

Each branch has powers to limit the others, preventing tyranny.

Legislative

Branch that makes laws (Congress).

Executive

Branch that enforces laws (President,administration).

Judicial

Branch that interprets laws (courts).

Rousseau

Philosopher who argued for the social contract and that governments should promote freedom and equality.

Social Contract

Idea that government legitimacy comes from the freely given consent of the governed.

Majority rule

Principle that the majority’s decision should govern in a democracy.

Minority rights

Protection of rights for those not in the majority (speech, assembly, etc.).

Consent of the governed

Legitimacy of government derived from the people’s consent.

Elite theory (1%)

Critique that power resides in a small, privileged elite.

Elections without the popular vote

Situations where elections can be decided without a direct popular majority (e.g., certain indirect systems).

Marxist Theory

Power relations between capitalists and workers are exploitative and conflict-driven; government serves the wealthy.

Elitist Theory

Power rests with wealthy and influential individuals across sectors.

Bureaucratic Theory (Weber)

Power held by the career civil service and expert administrators.

Pluralist Theory

Politics influenced by many non-governmental groups that compete for influence.

Social Movement Theory

Collective organized efforts to create or resist change (e.g., civil rights, Occupy).

Interest groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy and decisions.

Lobbyists

Individuals who advocate for specific interests before policymakers.

The Declaration’s signers’ sacrifice

Of the 56 signers, many faced wounds, imprisonment, and loss; they remained committed to independence.

Common themes in the founding period

Natural rights, consent of the governed, popular sovereignty, and limited government.