Influences on American Democracy Assessment Flashcard

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Civics

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Civics is the study of citizenship and government. Example, learning about voting rights and the electoral process is a key aspect of civics.

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Democracy

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Democracy is a system of government where citizens have the power to make decisions, exemplified by the United States.

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Republic

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A form of government where officials are accountable to the public, exemplified by the United States.

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Tyranny

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Absolute power held by a ruler or group, exemplified by Adolf Hitler's regime in Nazi Germany.

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Sovereignty

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Sovereignty is the authority of a state to govern itself; an example is France.

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Natural Rights per John Locke

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Natural rights are life, liberty, and property.

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Consent of the Governed

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The agreement of the people to be governed by a particular authority.

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Social Contract

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The Social Contract is a theory in political philosophy (Rousseau) where individuals consent to surrender some freedoms for protection of rights; an example is citizens agreeing to follow laws for social order.

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Separation of Powers

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Separation of Powers is a governance model dividing government responsibilities into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent concentration of power.

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Checks and Balances refer to what in US GOVERNMENT:

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A system that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.