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50 Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on natural rights, sovereignty, republicanism, democracy models, and constitutional principles.
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Natural rights
Inherent rights to life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness) that government exists to protect.
Life
A core natural right; the right to exist.
Liberty
Freedom from oppressive restraint; a fundamental natural right.
Property
Ownership of possessions and resources; a natural right.
Pursuit of happiness
The right to seek personal fulfillment; included as a natural right.
Social contract
An agreement among the governed to form a government that protects rights.
Popular sovereignty
Power derives from the people; government legitimacy rests on the consent of the governed.
Consent of the governed
Legitimacy of government depends on the people’s agreement to be governed.
Republicanism
Government based on elected representatives who govern on behalf of the people.
Elected representatives
Citizens choose individuals to make policy decisions.
Direct democracy
Citizens participate directly in policy decisions themselves.
Participatory democracy
A form of democracy emphasizing direct citizen involvement in decision-making.
Direct citizen involvement
Active participation by citizens in lawmaking or policy decisions.
Town halls
Local meetings where citizens discuss and influence policy.
Ballot initiatives
Citizens vote directly on proposed laws or policy changes.
Elite democracy
Governance by a small, informed leadership elite.
Informed leaders
Leaders with expertise who guide public policy.
Electoral College
A body that formally elects the president; an example of elite democracy.
Pluralist democracy
Governance through competition and cooperation among many interest groups.
Interest groups
Organized groups advocating for specific policy outcomes.
Policy influence
The ability of groups to shape government decisions.
Majority rule
Policy decisions tend to reflect the preferences of the majority.
Minority rights
Legal protections for individuals or groups in the minority.
Checks and balances
Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.
Separation of powers
Division of government into separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Rule of law
Government operates under a system of laws, not arbitrary power.
Limited government
Government power is restricted by the constitution and laws.
Tyranny
Oppressive or unjust use of power; prevented by checks, balances, and limits.
Government legitimacy
Widespread belief that the government has the right to govern.
Direct vs indirect democracy
Direct involves citizen voting on policy; indirect uses elected representatives.
Republic
A government where the people rule through elected representatives under the rule of law.
Representative democracy
Citizens elect representatives to make policy decisions.
Constitution
Foundational legal framework outlining powers, limits, and rights.
Declaration of Independence
1776 document asserting natural rights and grievances that shaped American political philosophy.
Enlightenment
Intellectual movement emphasizing reason, rights, and government by consent.
John Locke
Enlightenment thinker whose ideas about natural rights and social contract influenced the U.S.
Large republic
A broad, diverse political system Madison argued can prevent faction-driven tyranny.
Three models of democracy
Participatory, Elite, and Pluralist models of how democracy functions.
Participatory democracy examples
Town halls and ballot initiatives as direct citizen involvement examples.
Elite democracy examples
Presidential appointments and the Electoral College as elite governance examples.
Pluralist democracy examples
Competition among many groups shaping policy outcomes.
Mob rule
Tyranny of the majority when minority rights are ignored; a risk in unchecked democracy.
Framers’ fear
Concern that direct democracy could lead to mob rule in large republics.
Town hall importance
Illustrates participatory democracy through direct citizen involvement.
Ballot initiative importance
Mechanism for direct citizen input into policy.
Authority from the people
Source of government power and legitimacy rooted in popular consent.
Declaration’s role in natural rights
Documents articulate inherent rights that justify government.
Constitution’s role in limiting government
Outlines structure, powers, and constraints to prevent abuse.
Consent as basis for legitimacy
Legitimacy arises from the people’s agreement to be governed.
Governance through institutions
Power exercised via established political institutions with checks.
Enlightenment influence on U.S. government
Rational rights, social contract, and consent principles shaping governance.
Framers’ design principles
Structures like checks, balances, and separation of powers to prevent tyranny.
Public policy formation
Process by which government decides on laws and actions.
Majority protection of rights
Systems ensure minority rights are protected despite majority rule.
Mob rule avoidance
Guardrails to prevent opportunistic, unrestrained majority power.
Consent-based legitimacy
Authority that rests on the voluntary agreement of the governed.
Influence of institutions on power
Institutions allocate and constrain power, shaping policy outcomes.
Democratic legitimacy sources
Legitimacy stems from consent, rule of law, and representation.
Enlightenment thinkers in America
Philosophers like Locke who influenced rights and government ideas.
Representative vs direct democracy
Difference between electing representatives and direct citizen voting.
Lockean rights theory
Idea that individuals possess intrinsic rights requiring protection by government.
Constitutional checks on power
Mechanisms that prevent any one branch from dominating government.
Citizen participation in policy
Active involvement of the public in policy decisions and governance.
Legitimacy through consent
Public approval and acceptance as the basis of governmental authority.
Citizens as political agents
People have the power to influence policy through vote and participation.
Representative institutions
Structures like Congress and courts that mediate between people and policy.