Key Concepts in U.S. Government

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Natural rights

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Fundamental rights of all humans not received from a government.

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Social contract

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People create a government to protect the rights of the people.

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Popular sovereignty

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People are the source of governmental power and authority.

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Limited government

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Governmental power is restricted by law, as in the U.S. Constitution.

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Pluralist democracy

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Group-based activism striving to impact political decision making; individuals become more powerful as part of a group.

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Elite democracy

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Emphasizes limited, filtered citizen participation in politics and civil society; skeptical of citizens' ability to make good choices.

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Contemporary examples of elite democracy

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Electoral college, congressional representation, iron triangles, Super PACs.

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Constitution: Limited democracy

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Only the House of Representatives was directly elected; established a republic with congressional representation.

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Brutus No. 1: Fear

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Federal government will tax excessively, oppress the people, and destroy state governments.

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Federalist No. 10: Republic

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A republic is superior to democracy because it prevents majority factions from tyrannizing minorities.