Unit 1 Core Vocabulary

Front

Liberty

Back

The state or quality of being free.

(Ex. The suffragists believed that women and men alike should have the liberty to take part in politics.)

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Governance

Back

The act of overseeing and directing the resources, actions, and responsibilities of a group or place.

(Ex. The company made popular products, but it was unsuccessful because of poor governance.)

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Government

Back

The group or organization that makes decisions on behalf of the people in a political unit, such as a country, state, or city.

(Ex: The new mayor promised to make the city’s government more responsive to its citizens and their needs.)

Front

Democracy

Back

A government in which the people hold power.

(Ex. Voting is an essential civic duty in any democracy.)

Front

Direct Democracy

Back

A government in which citizens vote directly on the issues that affect them.

Example: Ancient Athens provides one of the most famous examples of a direct democracy.

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Legislature

Back

The lawmaking body of a government.

Example: The legislature of the United States is called Congress.

Front

Republic

Back

A society governed by representatives of the people.

Example: The laws of the ancient Roman Republic were enacted by popularly elected assemblies.

Front

Monarchy

Back

A form of government with a head of state who inherits the position and rules for life.

(Ex: In the British monarchy, the heir to the throne is normally the oldest child of the reigning king or queen.)

Front

Social Contract

Back

The idea that government is an agreement between those who are governed and those who govern.

Example: Locke argues that when the government breaks the social contract, the people no longer need to obey it.

Front

Constitutional Monarchy

Back

A monarchy in which laws or customs significantly limit the monarch's power.

Example: A constitutional monarchy is a type of democracy, even under the rule of a king or queen.