gov week 1 vocoab

Government

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

Politics

the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government

Natural rights

The right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away.

Social contract

People allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society.

Popular Sovereignty

the idea that the government's right to rule comes from the people

Republicanism

A system in which the government's authority comes from the people who elect their representatives to make

Particapatory Democracy

A theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government.

Pluralist theory

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process.

Elitism theory

A theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process.

Political institutions

The structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Constructional republic

A democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law.