Chapter 1: Gateways to American Democracy Flashcards
Rule of Law
Principle that could prevent mob rule and keep political or popular majority under control so it doesn’t trample minority rights.
Democracy
rule by the people; self-government
Constitutional system
Serves to protect both liberty and order.
Unalienable rights
The right to life, liberty and property; Est. by John Locke.
direct democracy
Citizens come together to directly debate and vote.
representative democracy
In which people elect representatives to govern in their name.
Legislative Branch
Makes the laws
Executive Branch
Executes the laws
Judicial branch
Interprets the laws
Republic
(America); a form of government in which power derives from the citizens but their representatives make policy and govern according to law.
factions
competing interests
federalism
Constitutional divide of powers horizontally, into layers, between national and state government.
liberals
favor government efforts to increase equality (left end); higher tax rates on the wealthy, greater provision of social benefits such as healthcare, unemployment insurance, & welfare.
Conservatives
(On the right); fears the government will suppress individual liberty
Moderates
In between conservative and liberal
libertarians
Believe the government should not interfere in either economic or social matters.
populist
opposes concentrated wealth and adheres to traditional moral values.
capitalism
Economic system in which business enterprises and key industries are privately owned.
socialism
In which businesses are government-owned.
egalitarianism
Belief in human equality socially, economically
public policy
Intentional act by the government to achieve a goal.
monarchy
System of government that assigns power to a single person who inherits that position and rules until death.
pluralism
Political system in which competing interests battle over the direction and content of important policy making.