Terms to Know
Below is a description of the values our Founding Father saw fit to include in the Constitution. Because you will be asked to identify examples of each of these, it is important to know what each term means. The value is bolded on the left side of the list- the definition follows. Please return to this page if you need clarification when deciding which value is being shown in each excerpt.
bicameralism- having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chambers (source)
limited government-
restricted with reference to governing powers by limitations prescribed in laws and in a constitution (source)
natural rights- political theory that maintains that an individual enters into society with certain basic rights and that no government can deny these rights. (source)
public participation- seeks and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision. The principle of public participation holds that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process. Public participation implies that the public's contribution will influence the decision (source)
republic- a government in which supreme power belongs to the citizens through their right to vote
(source)
right of revolution- the right or duty, variously stated throughout history, of the people of a nation to overthrow a government that acts against their common interests (source)
separation of powers-
the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government. (source)
social contract- An agreement among the members of an organized society or between the governed and the government defining and limiting the rights and duties of each (source)
limited government-
restricted with reference to governing powers by limitations prescribed in laws and in a constitution (source)
natural rights- political theory that maintains that an individual enters into society with certain basic rights and that no government can deny these rights. (source)
public participation- seeks and facilitates the involvement of those potentially affected by or interested in a decision. The principle of public participation holds that those who are affected by a decision have a right to be involved in the decision-making process. Public participation implies that the public's contribution will influence the decision (source)
republic- a government in which supreme power belongs to the citizens through their right to vote
(source)
right of revolution- the right or duty, variously stated throughout history, of the people of a nation to overthrow a government that acts against their common interests (source)
separation of powers-
the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government. (source)
social contract- An agreement among the members of an organized society or between the governed and the government defining and limiting the rights and duties of each (source)