Unit 1 Principles and Documents

Republicanism (Representative Democracy)

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

Direct Democracy

Every citizen votes directly on every issue

Democracy

A system of government where the people rule

Rule of Law

Everyone must obey the law, including government officials.

Majority Rule

The government must do what the majority of people vote for

Principle

A basic truth or fundamental law

Federalism

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

Fundamental

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

Limited Government

The government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do

Popular Sovereignty

All power in government comes from the people; the people give power and authority to the government

Checks and Balances

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