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