Vocabulary 1

Question 1

the system established by a society to facilitate order

Answer 1

government

Question 2

informal process whereby a society gives up certain rights in order to be governed

Answer 2

social contract

Question 3

first written agreement (social contract) among early colonists in North America —1600’s

Answer 3

Mayflower Compact

Question 4

the idea that moral and/or political obligations of a citizen are dependent on a ‘contract’ with a sovereign

Answer 4

social contract theory

Question 5

a person who believed that power must be “representative” and based on the consent of the people.

Answer 5

Thomas Hobbes

Question 6

a person who believed every human had natural rights that could not be taken away from them.

Answer 6

John Locke

Question 7

a biblical reference to a whale, and argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign

Answer 7

Leviathan

Question 8

John Locke discusses men’s move from a state of nature characterized by perfect freedom and governed by reason to a civil government in which the authority is vested in legislative and executive power.

Answer 8

Two Treatises of Government

Question 9

a person who is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers.

Answer 9

Montesquieu

Question 10

Montesquieu argued that political institutions needed, for their success, to reflect the social and geographical aspects of the particular community.

Answer 10

Spirit of the Laws

Question 11

a person who is a philosopher, writer and composer from Geneva. He wrote The Social Contract.

Answer 11

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Question 12

a democratic form where eligible voters vote directly to decide on policy issues

Answer 12

direct democracy

Question 13

a democratic form where eligible voters cast a ballot to typically select a representative who acts on their behalf regarding various policy issues

Answer 13

indirect democracy

Question 14

a form of government with elected officials BUT not necessarily democratic nor equal as eligible voters may belong to an exclusive class

Answer 14

republic

Question 15

oldest form of government where the power of government rests in the hands of one individual and where succession is typically determined by heredity

Answer 15

monarchy

Question 16

one leader takes full control of the government and its citizens

Answer 16

totalitarian

Question 17

a form of power structure in which power rests with a small number of people

Answer 17

oligarchy

Question 18

system of government that allows all eligible voters to participate in policy making

Answer 18

democracy

Question 19

when all participating members of society share the same personal liberties

Answer 19

political equality

Question 20

idea that the will of that greater number of citizens determined policy

Answer 20

majority rule

Question 21

power of the government is ultimately held by its citizens

Answer 21

popular sovereignity

Question 22

is a philosophy asserting that certain rights are inherent by virtue of human nature, endowed by nature— traditionally by God or a transcendent source – and that these can be understood universally through the human reason

Answer 22

natural law

Question 23

opening paragraph of the constitution that spells the basic set of purposes for its creation

Answer 23

preamble to the constitution of the united states

Question 24

set of ideals, principles, doctrines, myths, or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group that explains how society should work, and offers some political and cultural blueprint for a certain social order.

Answer 24

political ideology

Question 25

political ideology that claims to promote importance of virtue, personal responsibility, less governmental interference, traditional society, emphasis on Christian religion and its rules, strong military, economic independence, low taxes on business interests, and fiscal responsibility.

Answer 25

conservative

Question 26

political ideology linked to conservatism but instead this belief system focuses more on social aspects of an aberrant society and how they can be corrected through legislation.

Answer 26

social conservative

Question 27

a political and moral philosophy based on liberty and equality

Answer 27

liberal

Question 28

a political and moral philosophy that supports aspects of both Conservatism and Liberalism.

Answer 28

moderate

Question 29

activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power

Answer 29

politics