Bill of Rights
First 10 admendments to the Consitution. Ratified in 1719, these admendements limit governmental power and protects basic rights and liberties of individuals.
Civic responsibility
Comprised of actions and attitudes associated with democratic governance and social participation: can include participation in governemnt, church, volunteers and memberships of voluntary associations.
Civic virtues
The willingness to do one's part in supportng the public good, the willingness to do one's part to combat corruption.
Common good
Benifit or interest of a politically organized society as a whole.
Compromise
An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making consession.
Consitution
The basic written set of principals and precedents of federal government in the US, which came in operation in 1789 and has since been modified by twenty-seven admendments.
Democracy
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
General welfare
Good of society as a whole; common or public good.
Justice
Fair distribution of benefits and burdens, fair correction of wrongs, and injures, or use of fair procedure in gathering information and making decisions.
Natural rights
Belief that individuals are naturally endowed with baic human rights: those rights that are so much part of human nature that they can not be taken away or given up, as opposed to rights conferred by law. The Decleration of Independence states that these natural rights include the rights to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Popular sovereignty
A doctrine in political theory that government is created by and subject to the will of the people.
Principle
A rule of code or conduct.
Republicanism
Support for a republican system of government.
Rule of Law
Principle that every member of a society, including the ruler or government, must follow the law.
Seperation of powers
Division of governmental power among several insitutions that must cooperate in decision makng.