| A | B |
|---|
| Philosophy | Love of wisdom -The study of the basic ideas about knowledge, right and wrong, religion, and the meaning of life |
| State of Nature | A time before governments and laws were created -Similar to anarchy |
| Enlightenment | A period of time (1715-1789), when people developed new ideas about science, human rights and the level of control they should have over their governments. |
| John Locke | An English philosopher whose ideas about government influenced our founding fathers. Many of Locke’s ideas are in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution |
| Natural Rights | Locke believed that people are born with the right to life, liberty and property. |
| Locke’s Purpose of Government | The purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rights through making and enforcing laws. |
| Social Contract | The people agree to abide by laws (which involves giving up some freedom) and the government agrees to protect people's rights. |
| Consent of the Governed | An agreement by the people to organize a civil society and give authority to the government. -Voting for government leaders |
| Montesquieu | A French Enlightenment philosopher who believed that the best form of government would have a separation of powers between 3 different branches. Each branch would also be able to limit the power of the other two branches. (checks and balances) |
| Republicanism | A form of government where there is a constitution and its country’s leader is chosen by its citizens in a general election. |
| Heredity | A way of gaining a position of power (for example king or queen) because of family ties. |
| Separation Of Powers | When the government’s power is divided into different branches. Each branch has its own purpose. (for example, executive, judicial, legislative) |
| Rule of Law | The idea that all people must follow the laws and that the laws are enforced fairly |
| Self- Government | People can make decisions on how their government should work |
| Sovereignty | Independent rule within a territory |
| State (country or nation) | Body of people living in a defined space with the power to make and enforce laws and with an organization to do this. |
