AP GOV CHAPTER 1

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 governmentwhere power is held by thepeople.

natural rights

the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away

social contract

people allow their governments to rule overthem to ensure an orderly and functioning society

American political culture

the set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share.

popular sovereignty

the idea that the government's right to rulecomes from the people.

republicanism

a system in which the government's authoritycomes from the people through their representatives.

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 government

civil society groups

independent associations outside the government's control

pluralist theory

a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process

political institutions

the structure of government, including the executive, legislature, and judiciary

constitutional republic

a democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is thesupreme law