Vocabulary List

Natural Rights - Locke argued that these are rights that a king cannot give or take away

Social Contract - people give their government the right to rule over them in an orderly society but oftentimes people have to give up some of their rights

American Political Culture - the ideas of liberty, equality, and rights shape the shared set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that define the relationship of Americans to their government

Democracy - power is held by the people

Popular Sovereignty - the idea that the government’s right to rule comes from the people

Republicanism - the authority of the government comes from the people through their representatives

Inalienable Rights - rights the government cannot take away

Liberty - social, political, and economic freedoms

Participatory Democracy - when widespread participation is essential to the democracy in place

Civil Society Groups - independent associations outside of the government’s control

Pluralist Theory - emphasizes the role of groups in policymaking processes

Elitist Theory - a small minority with most of the economic power controls government and politics, and elected officials are too easily influenced by wealthy interest groups

Political Institutions - formed by the United States Constitution, includes legislative, executive and judicial branches

Constitutional Republic - representatives can be elected to make laws and policies of the nation rather than having the people vote directly