Summer Vocab Flashcards
(38 cards)
The Mayflower Compact
Agreement reached by the Pilgrims on the Mayflower ship in 1620 before landing at Plymouth Rock. It bound them to live in their own society according to their own laws.
Individualism
Social theory favoring freedom at action for individuals over collective or state control. Many people say the US favors individualism.
Popular Sovereignty
Principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the people and their elected representatives who are the source of all power. The US utilizes this method.
Equality of Opportunity
Concept of a right guaranteed by both federal and state governments against discrimination in employment, education or housing, due to a persons race, color, sex, orientation, age or handicap.
Government
Governing body of a nation, state, or community. The US utilizes a democratic republic type government.
Politics
Activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict of parties wishing to achieve power
Political Science
Branch of knowledge dealing with systems of government and analysis of political activity and behaviors
Social contract
Implicit agreement between members of society to cooperate for social benefits, for example: sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection. It became popular in the 16th/18th century among theorist such as Hobbes and Locke.
Democracy
System of Government by the whole population or all eligible members of a state typically through elected representatives. The US adapted this method from the Greeks in Athens.
Direct Democracy
Type of democracy where people decide policy initiatives directly
Representative Democracy
Type of democracy where groups of people elect a representative to speak for them
Constitutionalism
Set of agreements including checks and balances that require leaders to think, bargain and explain before acting.
Constitutional Democracy
Type of democracy enforcing recognized limits on those who govern and also allows the voice of the people to be heard through free, fair and frequent elections.
Natural Rights
Fundamental human rights (starting at birth) that are based on universal natural law as opposed to man made law.
Political Culture
Sets of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments which give meaning and order to political process and the underlying assumptions and rules that govern the political system.
Statist
Advocate of a political system in which the state has substantial centralized control over social and economic affairs.
American Dream
The pursuit of happiness. American ideal of a happy, successful life including wealth and a better life for one’s children. Supported the idea that America is a land of opportunity where hard work and initiative result in success.
Political Equality
The principle that each person carries equal weight in the conduct of public business and that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law. One person = One vote.
Economic Equality
A situation in where there are only small differences in wealth between citizens. Each individual receives the same amount of material goods regardless of societal contribution. (Ex. Communism)
Popular Consent
Principle that governments draw power from consent of the governed. Willingness to Vote = Consent to be governed. Derived from John Locke’s social contract theory.
Majority Rule
Fundamental principle of traditional democratic theory. Choosing among alternatives requires the opinion of the majority to be respected.
Plurality
Candidate or party with most votes cast in election, not necessarily > half.
Democratic Consensus
Widespread agreement on the fundamental principles of democratic process.
Theocracy
State whose government is believed to be divinely guided or under religious control.
