StellarDemocratic government in the United States is rooted in a set of core ideals that developed from Enlightenment political philosophy and colonial experience. These ideals include natural rights, the social contract, popular sovereignty, and limited government. Natural rights theory holds that all individuals are born with inherent rights, such as life and liberty, that cannot be legitimately taken away by government. The social contract describes an implicit agreement in which individuals consent to be governed in exchange for protection of those rights. Together, these ideas form the philosophical justification for self-government.
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1.1 Ideals of Democracy
Part of Foundations of American Democracy in AP® US Government & Politics. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.
In this unit
9 lessons
- 1.1Ideals of DemocracyThis lesson
- 1.2Types of DemocracyPreview lesson
- 1.3Government Power and Individual RightsPreview lesson
- 1.4Challenges of the Articles of ConfederationPreview lesson
- 1.5Ratification of the U.S. ConstitutionPreview lesson
- 1.6Principles of American GovernmentPreview lesson
- 1.7Relationship between the States and National GovernmentPreview lesson
- 1.8Constitutional Interpretations of FederalismPreview lesson
- 1.9Federalism in ActionPreview lesson
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