Citizenship & Government Vocabulary

You will be TESTED on these! Limited Government Rule of law Majority Rule Minority Rights Democracy Constitutional Democracy

The Many Meanings of “Democracy” DEMOCRACY: A democracy is a system of government in which rule is by the people, either as a direct democracy where the people make their own laws or as a representative democracy (republic), in which laws are made by the people’s representatives. Example: The U.S.

Continued… Constitutional Democracy: A system of government in which rule is by the people but there is a written constitution that is the supreme law of the land.

Vocabulary Continued Limited Government: A government whose powers are limited through constitutionally-imposed restrictions. The President, Congress, or the Supreme Court are restricted to what the Constitution tells them that they can or can’t do.

Rule of Law Definition: The principle that everyone, even political leaders, must follow the law. No one is above the law. Examples: A high-ranking government official (President) can’t go out and intentionally break several laws. This official will be tried just as a regular citizen.

Majority Rule Definition: A pattern of decision making where decisions are made by vote and a decision requires the support of more than half of those voting.

Minority Rights Define: No one is treated differently because of their race, religion, income, age, or disability.