Unit 1 vocab quiz Flashcards
politics
the process of influencing the actions and policies of government
government
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policy making
democracy
a system of government where power is held by the people
natural rights
the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away
social contract
people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
popular sovereignty
the idea that the governments right to rule comes from the people
American political culture
the set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share
republicanism
a system in which the governments authority comes from the people through their representation
inalienable rights
rights the government cannot take away
liberty
social, political, and economic freedoms
civil society groups
independent associations outside the government’s control
pluralist theory
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policy making process
participatory democracy
a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government
elitist theory
a theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policy making process
constitutional republic
a democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law
