Ch 3 - American Roots Key Terms (Civics)

Front

God's or nature's law that defines right from wrong and is higher than human law

Back

Natural Law

Front

Political system in which power is exercised by elected leaders who work in the interests of the people.

Back

Representative Government

Front

A written grant of authority

Back

charter

Front

The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.

Back

Rule of law

Front

political system in which the powers exercised by the government are restricted, usually by a written constitution.

Back

limited government

Front

The rights and liberties that can be claimed by individuals by virtue of being human

Back

natural rights

Front

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Back

separation of powers

Front

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of the authority and legitimacy of a government.

Back

popular sovereignty

Front

written agreement between two or more parties or nations to perform some action.

Back

compact

Front

A reserve army made up of civilians who are trained to fight and can serve full time in an emergency.

Back

militia