politics
the process of influencing the actions and policies of government
government
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking
democracy
a system of government where power is held by the people
John Locke
English enlightenment philosopher. He created the social contract and believed in natural rights. Life, Liberty, and property
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
Montesquieu
proposed that power and government should be separated through different branches (separation of powers)
American political culture
The set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share
Declaration of Independence
Birth of DEMOCRACY IN USA. 1776 statement announcing the american colonies break from great britain and established core democratic ideals of american government
popular sovereignty
the idea that the government's right to rule comes from the people
republicanism
a system in which the government's authority comes from the people through their representatives
direct democracy
people directly voted on issues with no one to represent them
inalienable rights
rights the government cannot take away
liberty
social, political and economic freedoms
participatory democracy
a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic
civil society
independent associations outside the government's control
pluralist theory
A theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process
elite theory
a theory of democracy that the elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process
political institutions
the structure of government, including the executive, legislative, and judiciary
constitutional republic
a democratic system with elected representatives in which the constitution is the supreme law