We The People Vocab

Consent

permission to do something

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Purpose of Government

to protect those natural rights that the individual cannot effectively protect in a state of nature

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.

State of Nature

a condition in which no governments or laws existed at all

aristocrats（aristocrat）

people who inherited social rank, title, and land

civic virtue

the democratic ideas, practices, and values that are at the heart of citizenship in a free society

common good

The good of the community as a whole.

delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

faction

A group with a distinct political interest

representative

a person who is elected by citizens to speak or act for them

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

republican government

System of government in which power is held by the voters and is exercised by elected representatives responsible for promoting the common welfare.

autocratic or dictatorial government

Government in which a single ruler or group has unlimited power.

Constitution

A written plan of government

higher law

A set of laws that establish and limit the power of government

Limits

Restrictions or boundaries on governmental power.

monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

private domain

areas of a person's life that are not subject to governmental interference

Bill

a proposed law

Checks and balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

executive branch

the branch of government that carries out laws

judicial branch

Branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly.

the branch of government that makes the laws