Principles of Government Vocabulary

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Politics

Aimed at resolving Conflicts over the distribution of society scarce resources.

Democracy

Government in which the supreme political authority rests with the people.

Authority

Legitimate, or valid, right to use power

Sovereignty

When a state is sovereign, it has the absolute authority to govern itself.

Autocracy

Government which power is held by a single person.

National Sovereignty

Absolute authority to govern itself without foreign influence.

Constitutional Republic

President and representatives are elected by the people and follow a system of written laws.

Divine Right theory

Idea that the ruler of the state is granted the authority to do so by gods, or God.

Social Contract Theory

People agree to obey a common set of rules and give some of their freedom for security.

Authorian

Government in which the people must obey the leaders who are not required to answer to the people.

Dictatorship

Governments formed by an individual or a group whose power is not supported by tradition.

Totaltarian

Sets goals and controls almost all aspects of a country’s social and economic life.

Communism

A tolitarian form of government, state controls all government.

Democracy

Government in which the supreme political authority rests with the people.

Republic

A specific type of representative democracy with an elected head of state.

Limited Government

A government whose powers and actions are restricted by a system of laws.

Bill of RIghts

Sets forth basic civil liberties.

Liberty

Is the freedom of individuals to believe, act, and express themselves.

Equality

We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.

Natural Rights

Rights to life, liberty, and property.

Unalienable Rights

Of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Partianship

Strong attachment of people to a political party and the ideas and standerds it promotes.

Political Ideology

System of political ideas that are rooted in religious or philosophical beliefs.

Conservatism

Generally the view that government should play a limited role in economic affairs.

Liberalism

A set of political beliefs that advocate for government intervention.

Moderate

Do not fully embrace either liberalism or conservatism.

Libertarianism

Is an ideology that involves opposition to almost all government regulation of economy and peoples personal lives.

Libertarianship

Is an ideology that involves opposition to almost all government regulation of economy and peoples personal lives.