Unit 1 Vocab List 1 Flashcards
monarchy
a government in which a member of the royal family, usually king or queen has absolute authority over a territory and its government
social contract
an agreement between the people and their leaders in which the people agree to give up some liberties so that their other liberties are protected
liberty
the freedom from government interference in one’s life and the freedom to pursue happiness
oligarchy
a government in which an elite few hold power
natural law
the assertion that standards that govern human behavior are derived from the nature of humans themselves and can be universally applied
democracy
a government in which the supreme power of governance lies in the hands of its citizens
popular sovereignty
the theory that government is created by the people and depends on the people for authority to rule
property
anything that can be owned
totalitarianism
a system of government in which the government essentially control every aspect of people’s lives
social contract theory
the idea that individuals possess free will and every individual is equally endowed with the god given right of self determination and the ability to consent to be governed
consent of the governed
the idea that in a democracy the government’s power derives from the consent of the people
authoritarianism
a system of government where the government holds strong powers but is checked by some forces
direct democracy
a system of government that allowed citizens to vote directly to approve or reject proposed public policies or to force an elected official from office before the completion of his or her term
majority rule
the idea that in a democracy only policies with 50% plus one vote are enacted
constitutionalism
a government that is structured by law and in which the power of government is limited
