AP U.S. Gov - Week 1

Government

The organization through which a society makes and enforces public policies (system of laws).

Democracy

A system of government where power and determination of the governing body is given to the people.

Pure (Direct) Democracy

A form of democracy where the people directly determine laws and policies rather than electing a representative. It is based on the sovereignty of the people in the form of an assembly democracy.

Representative (Indirect) Democracy

A form of democracy and political system where citizens vote for representatives to handle legislation and make laws for them.

Republic

Elite Theory

Pluralist Theory

Autocracy

A system of government where one person possesses unlimited power.

Natural (Inalienable) Rights

Rights that are granted to you at birth and given by your Creator, they cannot be taken away from you (Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness).

Social Contract Theory

Divine Right Theory

The belief that monarchs were chosen and given power directly by and from God to rule.

Limited Government

The principle in the constitution that limits the government’s power.

Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

A government principle in which the government is formed by the people for the people. Its decisions and authority is influenced by the citizens who made it.

Magna Carta (1215)

Petition of Right

Mayflower Compact

House of Burgesses

Charles-Louis Montesquieu

A French writer who argued in favor of separation of powers. He believed that the best form of government included checks and balances as well as separation of powers to keep one group (or branches) from abusing its power.

John Locke

An English political philosopher whose ideas about government later influenced the writing of the Constitution. He argued that all people are born equal and that life, liberty, and property were all natural rights. Locke believed that the purpose of the government is to protect the people’s rights and that the power of the government should be limited by laws.