We The People Ch. 1

Front 1

Authoritarian government

Back 1

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits but may nevertheless be restrained by the power of other social institutions.

Front 2

Autocracy

Back 2

a form of government in which a single individual - a king, queen, or dictator - rules

Front 3

Citizenship

Back 3

informed and active membership in a political community.

Front 4

Constitutional government

Back 4

a system of rule in which formal and effective limits are placed on the powers of the government.

Front 5

Democracy

Back 5

a system of rule that permits citizens to play a significant part in the governmental process, usually through the election of key public officials.

Front 6

Direct action politics

Back 6

a form of politics, such as civil disobedience or revolutionary action, that takes place outside formal channels.

Front 7

Direct democracy

Back 7

a system of rule that permits citizens to vote directly on laws and policies.

Front 8

Equality of opportunity

Back 8

a widely shared American ideal that all people should have the freedom to use whatever talents and wealth they have to reach their fullest potential.

Front 9

Government

Back 9

institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled.

Front 10

Laissez-faire capitalism

Back 10

an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit with minimal or no government interference.

Front 11

Libertarian

Back 11

one who favors minimal government and maximum individual freedom.

Front 12

Liberty

Back 12

freedom from governmental control.

Front 13

Limited government

Back 13

a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.

Front 14

Majority rule/minority rights

Back 14

the democratic principle that a government follows the preferences of the majority of voters but protects the interests of the minority.

Front 15

Oligarchy

Back 15

a form of government in which a small group landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants controls most of the governing decisions.

Front 16

Pluralism

Back 16

theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government. The outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation.

Front 17

Political culture

Back 17

broadly shared values, beliefs and attitudes about how the government should function. American political culture emphasizes the values of liberty, equality and democracy.

Front 18

Political equality

Back 18

the right to participate in politics equally, based on the principle of “one person, one vote."

Hint 18

None

Front 19

Politics

Back 19

conflict over the leadership, structure and policies of governments.

Front 20

Popular sovereignty

Back 20

a principle of democracy in which political authority rests ultimately in the hands of the people.

Front 21

Power

Back 21

influence over a government’s leadership, organization or policies.

Front 22

Representative democracy/republic

Back 22

a system of government in which the populace selects representatives, who play a significant role in governmental decision making.

Front 23

Totalitarian government

Back 23

a system of rule in which the government recognizes no formal limits on its power and seeks to absorb or eliminate other social institutions that might challenge it.