Chapter 1- The Democratic Republic - Key Terms

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Anarchy

Back 1

The condition of no government.

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Aristocracy

Back 2

Rule by the “best”; in reality, rule by an upper class.

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Authoritarianism

Back 3

A type of regime in which only the government itself is fully controlled by the ruler. Social and economic institutions exist that are not under the government’s control.

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Authority

Back 4

The right and power of a government or other entity to enforce its decisions and compel obedience.

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Bill of Rights

Back 5

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

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Capitalism

Back 6

An economic system characterized by the private ownership of wealth-creating assets, free markets and freedom of contract.

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Citizens

Back 7

Members of a political community having both rights and responsibilities.

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Civil Liberties

Back 8

Those personal freedoms, including freedom of religion and freedom of speech, that are protected for all individuals. The civil liberties set forth in the U.S. Constitution, as amended, restrain the government from taking certain actions against individuals.

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Communism

Back 9

A revolutionary variant of socialism that favors a partisan (and often totalitarian) dictatorship; government control of all enterprises, and the replacement of free markets by central planning.

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Consent of the People

Back 10

The idea that governments and laws derive their legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

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Conservatism

Back 11

A set of beliefs that includes a limited role for the national government in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles, and a cautious response to change.

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Democracy

Back 12

A system of government in which political authority is vested in the people. Derived from the Greek words demos (“the people”) and kratos (“authority”).

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Democratic Republic

Back 13

A republic in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies.

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Direct Democracy

Back 14

A system of government in which political decisions are made by the people directly, rather than by their elected representatives; probably attained most easily in small political communities.

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Elite Theory

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A perspective holding that society is ruled by a small number of people who exercise power to further their self-interest.

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Equality

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As a political value, the idea that all people are of equal worth.

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Government

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The institution in which decisions are made that resolve conflicts or allocate benefits and privileges. It is unique because it has the ultimate authority within society.

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Ideology

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A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and about the role of an institution or government.

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Initiative

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A procedure by which voters can propose a law or a constitutional amendment.

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Institution

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An ongoing organization that performs certain functions for society.

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Legislature

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A governmental body primarily responsible for the making of laws.

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Legitimacy

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Popular acceptance of the right and power of a government or other entity to exercise authority.

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Liberalism

Back 23

A set of beliefs that includes the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights, and tolerance for political and social change.

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Libertarianism

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A political ideology based on skepticism or opposition toward most government activities.

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Liberty

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The greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in the society.

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Limited Government

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A government with powers that are limited either through a written document or through widely shared beliefs.

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Majoritarianism

Back 27

A political theory holding that in a democracy, the government ought to do what the majority of the people want.

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Majority

Back 28

More than 50 percent.

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Majority Rule

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A basic principle of democracy asserting that the greatest number of citizens in any political unit should select officials and determine policies.

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Order

Back 30

A state of peace and security. Maintaining order by protecting members of society from violence and criminal activity is the oldest purpose of government.

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Oligarchy

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Rule by a few.

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Pluralism

Back 32

A theory that views politics as a conflict among interest groups. Political decision making is characterized by compromise and accommodation.

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Political Culture

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The collection of beliefs and attitudes toward government and the political process held by a community or nation.

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Political Socialization

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The process through which individuals learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues. The family and the educational system are two of the most important forces in the political socialization process.

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Politics

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The process of resolving conflicts and deciding “who gets what, when and how." The struggle over power or influence within organizations or informal groups that can grant or withhold benefits or privileges.

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Popular Sovereignty

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The concept that ultimate political authority is based on the will of the people.

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Property

Back 37

Anything that is or may be subject ownership. As conceived by the political philosopher John Locke, the right to property is a natural right superior to human law (laws made by government).

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Recall

Back 38

A procedure allowing the people to vote to dismiss an elected official from state office before his or her term has expired.

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Referendum

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An electoral device whereby legislative or constitutional measures are referred by the legislature to the voters for approval or disapproval.

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Representative Democracy

Back 40

A form of government in which representatives elected by the people make and enforce laws and policies; may retain the monarchy in a ceremonial role.

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Republic

Back 41

A form of government in which sovereignty rests with the people, rather than to a king or monarch.

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Socialism

Back 42

A political ideology based on strong support for economic and social equality. Socialists traditionally envisioned a society in which major businesses were taken over by the government or by employee cooperatives.

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Theocracy

Back 43

Literally, rule by God or the Gods; in practice, rule by religious leaders, typically self-appointed.

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Totalitarian Regime

Back 44

A form of government that controls all aspects of the political and social life of a nation.

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Universal Suffrage

Back 45

The right of all adults to vote for their representatives.