Definitions (Checklist) Flashcards
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch rules in his or her own right or power.
Conservative
averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.
Egalitarianism
the doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
identity
Identity is the qualities, beliefs, personality traits, appearance, and/or expressions that characterize a person or a group.
Liberalism
Liberalism is a political and moral philosophy based on the rights of the individual, liberty, consent of the governed, political equality, right to private property and equality before the law.
The Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment or the Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, was an intellectual and philosophical movement that occurred in Europe, especially Western Europe, in the 17th and 18th centuries, with global influences and effects.
tyranny
cruel and oppressive government or rule
unalienable
that which cannot be given away or taken away.
boycott
A boycott is an act of nonviolent, voluntary abstention from a product, person, organization, or country as an expression of protest.
Colony
a country or area under the full or partial political control of another country and occupied by settlers from that country.
commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good.
Confederation
an organization which consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league.
Constitution
a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Federation
a group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.
Founding father
a person who starts or helps to start a movement or institution.
legislation
Legislation (or “statutory law”) is law which has been created by a legislature or other governing body.
liberty
the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behaviour, or political views.
loyalist
a person who remains loyal to the established ruler or government, especially in the face of a revolt.
mercantilism
the economic theory that trade generates wealth and is stimulated by the accumulation of profitable balances, which a government should encourage by means of protectionism.
militia
all citizens who are able to be called on by law to provide military service to supplement the regular armed forces.
minutemen
a member of a class of militiamen of the American revolutionary period who volunteered to be ready for service at a minute’s notice.
nation
a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory.
nationalism
identification with one’s own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
Patriot
a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.
Progressive
happening or developing gradually or in stages.
Radical
advocating or based on thorough or complete political or social change; representing or supporting an extreme or progressive section of a political party.
referendum
a general vote by the electorate on a single political question that has been referred to them for a direct decision.
Republic
a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Revolution
a forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system.
Sovereignty
supreme power or authority.
veto
a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a lawmaking body.
