Glossary
Accountability
The principle that government officials are responsible to the people and can be held answerable for their actions.
Example:
If a public official misuses funds, citizens can demand an investigation, holding that official to accountability.
Amendments
Formal changes or additions to the U.S. Constitution, reflecting its nature as a living document that can adapt over time.
Example:
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, expanding suffrage and demonstrating the Constitution's capacity for change.
Declaration of Independence
A foundational document that declared the American colonies' separation from Britain and established the idea of popular sovereignty.
Example:
The Declaration of Independence articulated the colonists' grievances against King George III and asserted their right to self-governance.
Equality
The ideal that everyone is equal under the law, often emphasized by the 14th Amendment.
Example:
A court ruling ensuring that all citizens, regardless of background, receive the same legal protections demonstrates the ideal of equality.
Freedom
The right to express oneself, participate politically, and make personal life choices without undue government interference.
Example:
The ability to publish an opinion piece in a newspaper without government censorship is an exercise of freedom of the press.
Individual Rights
Fundamental freedoms protected by the Bill of Rights, which are considered inherent to people, not granted by the government.
Example:
The right to free speech allows a student to peacefully protest a school policy, upholding their individual rights.
Limited Government
A principle stating that the Constitution sets clear boundaries on government power, ensuring it does not overstep its authority.
Example:
The U.S. government cannot arbitrarily seize private property without due process, demonstrating a limited government bound by the Fifth Amendment.
Majority Rule & Minority Rights
A democratic principle where decisions are made by the majority, but the fundamental rights and interests of minority groups are protected.
Example:
While a city council might approve a new park by a majority vote, they must still ensure the project doesn't infringe upon the property rights of a minority of homeowners, balancing majority rule with minority rights.
Natural Rights
Inherent rights that individuals are born with, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which are not granted by any government.
Example:
The idea that all people deserve to live freely and pursue their goals without undue interference is rooted in the concept of natural rights.
Popular Sovereignty
The principle that the people hold the ultimate power and that the government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.
Example:
When citizens vote in an election, they are exercising popular sovereignty, giving power to their chosen representatives.
Representation
The process by which elected officials make decisions on behalf of the people they serve, being accountable to their constituents.
Example:
A senator voting on a bill based on the expressed wishes of their state's residents exemplifies the concept of representation.
Republicanism
A system of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, rather than directly participating in all decisions.
Example:
Instead of every citizen voting on every law, Americans elect members of Congress to represent their interests, embodying republicanism.
Responsiveness
The expectation that the government should adapt to and address the needs and concerns of its citizens.
Example:
When a local government quickly addresses citizen complaints about potholes, it shows responsiveness to the community's needs.
Rule of Law
The principle that everyone, including government officials, is subject to and accountable under the law, ensuring no one is above it.
Example:
Even the President must follow the laws passed by Congress, demonstrating the rule of law.
Social Contract
An agreement where people give up some individual freedoms to the government in exchange for protection and the maintenance of order.
Example:
Paying taxes and obeying laws are part of the social contract, as citizens agree to these terms for the benefits of living in an organized society.
Transparency
The ideal that government actions and decisions should be open and accessible to the public, preventing secret deals.
Example:
A city council meeting being open to the public and its minutes being published online promotes transparency in local government.
U.S. Constitution
The supreme law of the United States, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and established the framework for the federal government.
Example:
The U.S. Constitution outlines the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, creating a system of checks and balances.