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anarchy
Absence of government, order, control.
authoritarian
Micromanagement of citizens via government structure.
capitalism
An economic system that relies heavily on free market and free trade by individuals who create profit through assets and private ownership.
civic engagement
The participation that connects citizens to government.
common goods
Generally natural resources that all people may use but that are of limited supply and are protected and regulated by government.
Declaration of Independence
Written reasoning for political and economic separation between colonies in America and Great Britain.
democracy
A form of government where political power rests in the hands of the people; majority rule; minority rights may be ignored.
dictatorship
Very strong or authoritarian ruler of a government with excessive regulation and control over public and private lives of individuals.
direct democracy
A form of government where people participate directly in making government decisions instead of choosing representatives.
elite theory
The theory that a set of elite citizens is really in charge of government and that others have no influence.
government
The means by which a society organizes itself and allocates and exercises authority and decision-making.
intense preferences
Preferences based on strong feelings regarding an issue, adhered to over time.
latent preferences
Preferences that are not deeply or strongly held and do not remain the same over time.
liberty
Freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control that does not encroach on other individuals' freedoms.
majority rule
A fundamental principle of democracy; the majority should have the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.
minority rights
Protections for those who are not part of the majority.
monarchy
A form of government where one hereditary ruler holds political power.
order
The government's responsibility to create stability and peace and protect its citizens.
oligarchy
A form of government where a handful of elite society members hold political power.
pluralist theory
Belief that political power rests with competing interest groups who share influence in government.
political power
Influence over a government’s institutions, leadership, or policies.
politics
A competitive power struggle for gaining and exercising control over governmental processes.
preamble
Introductory paragraph of the U.S. Constitution, stating the purposes of the government.
private sector goods and services
Goods and services provided through the free market economy by businesses to those who pay for them.
privatization
The transfer of a business, industry, or service from public to private ownership.
public sector goods and services
Goods and services, including regulation, provided by government and paid for by taxpayers.
representative democracy
A form of government where voters elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
republic
Indirect rule by citizens’ representatives; also known as representative democracy.
totalitarianism
A form of government where government is all-powerful and citizens have no rights.
tyranny
Excessive control over public and private lives of individuals by a ruler or government.
consent
Individual citizens recognize governmental authority and vote to be ruled by their elected representatives.
elite theory (elitism)
Claims political power rests in the hands of a small, elite group of people.
pluralist theory (pluralism)
Claims political power rests in the hands of competing groups of people.
unalienable rights
Rights possessed by every person, not conferred by government; individual rights to life, liberty, and property.
civic engagement/political engagement
Citizen involvement with politics/government; being involved in the political process.
participation
Citizen involvement in a representative republic; an important principle of representative government.
partisanship
The tendency to identify with and support a particular political party.
social capital
Collective value of all social networks and the inclinations that arise from these networks.
amendment
Ability to change or add to the U.S. Constitution.
Anti-federalists
Those who did not support ratification of the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution for the United States, adopted in 1781; a weak central government.
bicameral legislature
A legislature with two houses, such as the U.S. Congress.
bill of attainder
Trial by legislature rather than the court system.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, designed to protect fundamental rights.
civil liberties
Limitations on the power of government designed to ensure personal freedoms.
civil rights
Guarantees of equal treatment by government authorities.
confederacy/confederation
A highly decentralized structure of government formed by sovereign states.
due process clause
Provisions that limit government power to deny people life, liberty, or property unfairly.
equal representation
Legislative representatives for each state to be exactly equal regardless of population.
enumerated powers
Specifically expressed or explicit powers.
ex post facto law
Laws enacted retroactively that punish after the fact.
federal
A structure of government with power divided between state and national governments.
Federalist Papers
A collection of essays in support of ratification of the Constitution.
Federalists
Those who supported ratification of the Constitution.
Great Compromise
Created a two-house Congress; representation based on population in the House and equality in the Senate.
habeas corpus
Government may not hold an individual indefinitely without charges.
natural rights
Rights to life, liberty, and property, believed to be given by a Higher Power.
New Jersey Plan
Called for a one-house national legislature, with equal voting for each state.
popular sovereignty
The people are sovereign, placing them above a monarch or oligarchy.
proportional representation
Legislative representation based on state population.
ratification
Formal acceptance of the U.S. Constitution by gaining consent of citizens.
reserved powers
Powers granted that are specifically stated.
separation of powers
The sharing of powers among three separate branches of government.
social contract
Agreement between people and government where citizens consent to be governed.
supremacy clause
Proclaims that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.
Term Limits
Limiting the president and members of Congress to a specified number of terms.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromise that calls for counting 60% of a state’s slave population for taxation and representation.
unicameral
A legislature with only one house.
unitary
A form of government where lower levels depend on the national government.
Virginia Plan
A plan for a two-house legislature based on state population.
