Government and Political Concepts

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natural rights

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Fundamental rights that all humans are believed to have at birth, regardless of their race, gender, or social status. These rights are often considered inherent and inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away.

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checks and balances

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A system of government where different branches of government have the power to limit each other's actions, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. This system ensures that no single person or group has absolute control.

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limited government

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A form of government where the power of the government is restricted by a constitution or other legal document. This means that the government cannot do whatever it wants and must operate within certain boundaries.

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rule of law

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The principle that everyone, including those in power, must obey the law and that no one is above the law. This ensures fairness and equality under the law.

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republic

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A form of government where the people hold power through elected representatives. In a republic, the head of state is not a monarch but an elected official.

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democracy

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A system of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation, usually involving periodic free and fair elections.

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federal government

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The central government of a nation, typically responsible for national issues like defense, foreign policy, and currency. In a federal system, power is shared between the central government and regional governments.

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supreme law of the land

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The highest law in a country, which all other laws must comply with. In the United States, the Constitution is considered the supreme law of the land.

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Federalists Papers

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A collection of 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to persuade the citizens of New York to adopt the newly proposed Constitution of the United States.

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Montesquieu

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A French political philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers in government, arguing that dividing authority among different branches would prevent tyranny.