ch one & two vocab Flashcards
Civic engagement
Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issue of public concern
constitutionalism
The idea that there are definable limits on the rightful power of a government over its citizens.
elitism
The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy.
democracy
A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.
Indirect democracy (representative democracy)
Citizens elect representatives who decide
policies on behalf of their constituents
inalienable (natural) rights
Those rights that persons theoretically possessed in the state of nature, prior to the formation of governments. These rights, including those of life, liberty, and property, are considered inherent and, as such, are inalienable. Since government is established by people, government has the responsibility to preserve these rights.
republic
A form of government in which the people’s representatives decide policy through institutions structured in ways that foster deliberation, slow the progress of decision making, and operate within restraints that protect individual liberty.
delegates
Elected representatives whose obligation is to act in accordance with the expressed wishes of the people they represent.
supremacy clause
article VI of the Constitution, which makes national law supreme over state law when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits.
tyranny of the majority
The potential of a majority to monopolize power for its own gain to the detriment of minority rights and interests.
limited government
A government that is subject to strict limits on its lawful uses of power, and hence on its ability to deprive people of their liberty.
majoritarianism
The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination.
Naturalization
the process of becoming a citizen by means other than birth
pluralsim
A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups.
social contract
A voluntary agreement by individuals to form government, which is then obliged to act within the confines of the agreement.