unit 1

the process of influencing the actions and policies of government

the rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking

a system of government where power is held by the people

the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away

people allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society

the set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share

the idea that the government's right to rule comes from the people

a system in which the government's authority comes from the people (they are elected for a specific period)

social, political, and economic freedoms

a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government

independent associations outside the goverment's control

a theory that emphasizes the role of groups in policymaking process. political power rests with competing interests groups that compete to make an impact on political decision making

a theory that the elites have a great amount of influence in the policymaking process

structure of government: executive, legislative, judicial

a democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law

governmental power is restricted or limited by law, usually in a written constitution

government in which citizens vote on laws and select officials directly

procedure whereby a certain # of voters may, by petition, propose a law or constitutional amendment and have it submitted to the voters

procedure for submitting to popular vote measures passed by the legislature or proposed amendments to a state constitution

procedure for submitting to popular vote the removal of officials from office before the end of their term

governement in which the people elect those who govern and pass laws; also called a republic

the candidate or party that wins more than half the votes cast in an election

candidate or party with the most votes in an election, not necessarily more than half

a type of government in which one person with unlimited power rules

formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain

a document that sets out the fundamental principles of governance and establishes the institutions of government

government ruled by representatives of the people