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AP U.S. Government & Politics · Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

1.1 Ideals of Democracy

Core Democratic Ideals

The U.S. political system rests on foundational ideals: natural rights (life, liberty, property), popular sovereignty (government derives power from the people), republicanism (citizens elect representatives to make laws), and limited government (rule of law restrains government power). These ideals shape debates over the proper balance between government authority and individual freedom.

Competing Theories of Democracy

Political scientists debate which model best describes U.S. democracy. Participatory democracy emphasizes broad citizen engagement. Pluralist democracy stresses group-based activism (interest groups) influencing policy. Elite democracy holds that educated, wealthy elites should have more influence over political decisions. Each model reflects a different vision of who should hold power and how much direct citizen involvement is desirable.

Foundational Documents

The Declaration of Independence articulates natural rights and popular sovereignty as justification for revolution. The Federalist Papers, especially Federalist No. 10 (Madison) and Federalist No. 51 (Madison), defend republicanism, checks on power, and controlling factions through a large, diverse republic with separated powers.

Key terms

Natural rights
Rights inherent to all humans (life, liberty, property) that government cannot legitimately take away.
Popular sovereignty
The principle that government's authority comes from the consent of the people.
Pluralist democracy
A model where policy results from competition and bargaining among organized interest groups.
Elite democracy
A model where educated, wealthy, or informed elites are seen as best suited to guide political decisions.
Federalist No. 10
Madison's essay arguing a large republic controls the negative effects of factions through representation and diversity of interests.

Try an AP-style question

Scenario

"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Which Enlightenment idea does this passage most directly reflect?

  1. Divine right of kings
  2. Federalism
  3. Popular sovereignty
  4. Separation of powers
Show the answer

C. Power comes from the people.

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