Vocabulary Foundations of American Government

The idea that government can exist only with the consent of the people

• rule of law
• checks and balances
• republican, or representative government
• popular sovereignty
• democracy

The idea that people give up some personal power to a government who will protect their lives and property

• sovereignty
• checks and balances
• federalism
• democracy
• social contract

These are given by our Creator, according to Declaration of Independence, to everyone equally

• rule of law

• natural rights

• federalism

• limited government

• democracy

Rights to life, liberty (freedoms), and property which Declaration of Independence says governments should protect

• limited government
• separation of powers
• individual rights
• federalism
• consent of the governed

This concept means EVERYONE must follow the all laws.

• rule of law
• social contract
• individual rights
• democracy
• sovereignty

Government has overlapping powers which allows each branch some say over the other branches

• limited government
• checks and balances
• federalism
• popular sovereignty
• social contract

Government's three powers are separated into three branches to any one part of government from becoming too powerful

• limited government
• separation of powers
• individual rights
• democracy
• consent of the governed

A form of government where people choose representatives to make laws instead of doing it themselves

• rule of law
• checks and balances
• republican, or representative government
• federalism
• social contract

The idea that government is restricted in what it may do so that individual rights of the people are protected

• limited government
• state
• republican, or representative government
• popular sovereignty
• democracy

The idea that a government is only legitimate if the people agree that it should hold power, which it will use to protect the people

• democracy
• separation of powers
• federalism
• natural rights
• consent of the governed