Unit One Vocabulary Review

The people and institutions with authority to make and enforce the laws and manage disputes about laws

government

People had to provide for their own needs (food, clothing, medicines, furniture and tools)

self-sufficient

A legal framework for government

constitution

Men and women who sold their labor in exchange for the cost of the trip from Europe to the colonies.

indentured servants

Wealthy upper class

aristocrats

The political leaders of the colonies

Founders

English philosopher in the 1600’s Influenced the ideas of the founders

John Locke

The rights that are part of the law of nature, rights that we all should have just because we’re human beings

Natural Rights

Protect those natural rights that the individual cannot effectively protect in a state of nature

purpose of government

Set of laws that establish and limit the power of government

Higher law

Individuals agree with others to create and live under a government and give that government the power to make and enforce laws

social contract

A country that has a government in which power is held by the people who elect representatives

republic

Type of government where: Citizens have the power to govern Citizens delegate or entrust their power to leaders they elect to represent them and to serve their interests Citizens and their representatives work promote the common good rather than their interests

Republican government

A leader elected to represent them and to serve their interests

delegate

Means that which is good for the community as a whole

Common good

Interest groups that might work against other groups or the people as a whole

factions

The people themselves control government (no elected representatives, as in a representative democracy)

Direct democracy

The people choose leaders to make and administer laws for their country

Representative democracy

Both citizens and their leaders were willing to set aside their private interests and personal concerns for the common good

Civic virtue

Being under the rule of a monarch or leader

subject

There are limits on the powers of the person or group running the government

Constitutional government

Things the government may not do or actions that it may not take

limits

A condition in which no governments or laws existed

State of nature

Powers of the different branches of government are balanced No one branch can completely dominate the others The powers are “checked” or “kept in check” because some powers are shared with other branches

Checks and balances

Government of unlimited power Also called a Dictatorial govt.

Autocratic government

Part of a person’s life that is not the business of government

Private domain

Form of government in which political power is held by a single ruler such as a queen or king

monarchy

Divide the powers of government among different branches, or parts

Separation of Powers

Proposed law

bill

Power to make laws Congress – the Senate and House of Representatives

Legislative branch

Power to carry out and enforce laws The president

Executive branch

Power to manage conflicts about the meaning, application, and enforcement of laws The court system – judges, courts

Judicial branch