Government
The formal vehicle through which policies are made and affairs of state are conducted.
Social Contract
An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed.
Mayflower Compact
Document written by the pilgrims while at sea which described the government and the expectations of its citizens.
Social Contract Theory
All people are born free and must therefor give consent to be governed.
Direct Democracy
A system of government in which members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule.
Indirect Democracy
A system of government that gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representatives who work on their behalf.
Monarchy
A form of government in which power is vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern in the interests of all.
Totalitarianism
A form of government in which power resides in a leader who rules according to self-interest and without regard for individual rights and liberties.
Oligarchy
A form of government in which the right to participate is conditioned on the possession of wealth, social status military position, or achievement.
Democracy
A system of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives.
Political Culture
Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate.
Personal Liberty
A key characteristic of U.S. democracy. Initially meaning freedom from governmental interference, today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices without governmental interference or discrimination.
Political Equality
The principle that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law.
Popular Consent
The principle that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed.
Majority Rule
The central premise of democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law.
Popular Sovereignty
The notion that the ultimate authority in society rests with the people.
Natural Law
A doctrine that society should be governed by certain ethical principles that are part of nature and , as such, can be understood by reason.
Political Ideology
The coherent set of values and beliefs about the purpose and scope of government held by groups an individuals.
Conservative
One who believes that a government is best that governs the least and that big government should not infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights.
Social Conservative
One who believes that traditional moral teachings should be supported and furthered by the government.
Liberal
One who favors governmental involvement in the economy and in the provision of social services and who takes an activist role in protecting the rights of women, the elderly, minorities, and the environment.
Moderate
A person who takes a relatively centrist or middle-of-the-road view on most political issues.
Libertarian
One who believes in limited government and no governmental interference in personal liberties.
Politics
The study of who gets what, when, and how - or how policy decisions are made.
American Dream
An American ideal of a happy, succesful life, which often includes wealth, a house, a better life for one's children, and for some, the ability to grow up to be president.