Key Concepts in American Government

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Individual Rights

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The rights guaranteed to individuals by law.

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Popular Sovereignty

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The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

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Social Contract

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An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits.

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Limited Government

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A political system where the legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers.

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Checks and Balances

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A system that ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

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Separation of Powers

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The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

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Direct Democracy

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A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.

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Representative Democracy

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A type of democracy where elected officials represent a group of people.

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Declaration of Independence

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The document declaring the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule.

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Federalist No. 10

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An essay by James Madison arguing for the ratification of the Constitution.