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Vocab Lesson 1-2
civics honors vocab
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Constitutional government | Limited government; the rule of law. A form of government in which a written, unwritten, or partly written constitution serves as a higher or fundamental law that everyone, including those in power, must obey. The rule of law is an essential feature of co |
| Civic virtue | The dedication of citizens to the common welfare of their community to country, even at the cost of their individual interests. Traditionally considered most relevant to republics, since republican citizens are responsible for the well-being of their coun |
| Classical republicanism | The ideals and practices of ancient Greek or Roman city-states that emphasized civic participation and the responsibility of citizens for the well-being of their polity, or country. Acts by citizens that placed the public good, or common welfare, above pr |
| Common good | The good of the community as a whole, as contrasted with private interests that may conflict with public interest. Also known as the public good |
| Consent of the governed | Agreement by citizens to obey the laws and the government they create. Consent is the foundation of government's legitimacy. |
| divine right | The idea prevalent in early modern Europe that monarchs derive their authority directly from God. Adherents to this doctrine claimed that to disobey such monarchs, to attempt to replace them, or to limit their powers is contrary to the will of God. Also k |
| inalienable rights | Fundamental rights inherent to being human that every person therefore possesses that cannot be taken away by government or another entity. This phrase was used in the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. |
| constitution | A plan of government that sets forth the structures and powers of government. In democracies, a constitution is an authoritative law through which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers |
| democracy | Literally defined as "rule of the people," democracy is a form of government in which all citizens exercise political power, either directly or through their elected representatives |
| forms of government | (1) Aristotle's idea of three forms of government based on the number of people exercising power. Each has a "right" form and a "corrupt" form. The right form of government by a single person is a "monarchy." The right form of government by a few people i |
| limited government | In natural rights philosophy, a system restricted to protecting natural rights that does not interfere with other aspects of life. More generally, limited government is constitutional government governed by the rule of law. Written or unwritten constituti |
| mixed constitution | Traditionally, constitutions that include elements of the rule of one (monarchy), the few (aristocracy or oligarchy), and the many (democracy). Aristotle first wrote of mixed constitutions, although not always about all three elements simultaneously, stat |
| parliament | The British legislature, which consists of two houses: the House of Lords, which once represented the nobility, and the House of Commons, which formally represnts the common people. Most members of the House of Lords are appointed for life by the governme |
| republic | A form of government that derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, is administered by officials holding power for a limited time, and incorporates representative institutions |
| unwritten constitution | The body of political practices developed through custom and tradition. Only three of the world's major democracies have constitutions that are not single, written documents: Britain, Israel, and New Zealand. In each of these nations, the constitution is |
| written constitution | A written plan of government that sets forth the structures and powers of government. In democracies, a constitution is an authoritative law through which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers. |
| natural rights | The doctrine that people have basic rights, such as those to life, liberty, and property in a state of nature. Some writers, especially those influencing the American Founders, argued that certain of these rights are inalienable—inherent in being human—an |
| political legitimacy | Acceptance by the governed that the claim to authority by those who govern is justified. In democratic societies, legitimacy is achieved only those who govern gain power through the free consent of the governed in free and fair elections |
| popular sovereignty | the natural rights concept that ultimate political authority rests with the people |
| pursuit of happiness | An "unalienable" right stated in the Declaration of Independence. It is the right of Americans to pursue personal fulfillment in their own way, so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. Within certain limits, this right denies the legitimac |
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