Political Science Essentials

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Political Science

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Study of government, political processes, and political behavior

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Democracy

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System of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives

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Separation of Powers

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Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another

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Federalism

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System of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power with a national government

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Social Contract

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Theory that individuals unite into a society by a process of mutual consent, agreeing to follow certain rules and accept duties

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Checks and Balances

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Mechanisms that allow each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power

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Bicameral Legislature

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A legislature with two houses or chambers, such as the US Congress

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Bill of Rights

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First ten amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing rights such as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship

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Political Ideology

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Set of ethical ideas, principles, doctrines, myths, or symbols of a social movement, institution, class, or large group

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The Great Compromise

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Agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a two-house legislature