Unit 1

Government

an institution through which leaders use to institute laws

Politics

the set of activities which are associated with making decisions in groups or other forms of power relations among individuals

Democracy

rule by the people

Representative Democracy

citizens choose representatives to make decisions about policy

Natural Rights

life, liberty, property - cannot be taken away without good reason

Social Contract

people must give up some rights for the greater good

Popular Sovereignty

power from the consent of the governed

Limited Government

A government’s power cannot be absolute - power needs checks and balances.

Rule of Law

everyone must follow the laws, including the powerful and rich

Federalism

separation between federal and state governments

Separation of Powers

separation between judicial, legislative, and executive branchs, limits corruption of one branch

Checks and Balances

checks must be equal

Autocracy

rule by one

Constitutional Monarchy

rule of monarch is limited

Absolute Monachy

rule of monarch is unlimited

Anarchy

no government

A strong federal government is an example of

elite democracy