history vocab Flashcards
authoritarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limit but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions
citizenship
informed and active membership in a political community
constitutional government
a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government
democracy
a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials
direct democracy
a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and polices
equality of opportunity
a widely shared american ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential
government
institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled
laissez faire captialism
an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no governement interference
liberty
freedom from governement control
limited government
a principle of constitutional government, a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
majority rule/ miniorty rights
the demorcratic principal that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the intrests of the minority
political efficacy
the abilty to influence government and poltics
political equality
the right to particpate in politics equally. based on the principal of “one person, one vote”
political knowledge
possessing infromation about the fromal instituions of government, political actors, and political issues
politics
conflict over the leadership, structure, and policies of governments
popular sovereignty
a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people
power
influence over government’s leadership, organization, or policies
reprsentative democracy
a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a signifcant role in governmental decision making
totalitarian government
a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.
sepration of powers
the diision of govenmental poweramong several instutuions that must cooperate in decion making
three fifths compromise
the agreement reached at the consitutional convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only three-ffths of slaves would be counted
tyranny
oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority
virginia plan
a framework for the constitution, introduced by edmund randoplh, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
