Government & politics

Government & politics

The study of general concepts used in governments and politics, as well as the institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the government and political reality.

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Government & politics

republic

Government; Government & politics

Form of government based on a constitution, in which decisions are made by elected or appointed officials in a democratic manner.

republican party

Government; Government & politics

One of the two major political parties in the United States. Different members of the Republican Party hold different political views, and the party platform may change from administration to ...

Complete and usually violent process by which the government and its manner of rule are taken out of power, and a new government is established. Many Americans fought the Revolutionary War in order ...

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-78)

Government; Government & politics

Swiss-born philosopher, social reformer and political theorist who supported the idea of government being controlled by the general will of the people, i.e., popular sovereignty. His views were more ...

rule of law

Government; Government & politics

Doctrine that no individual stands above the law, and that all rulers are answerable to the law. This is one of the major legacies of the constitutional system. The rule of law can also be understood ...

rule of men

Government; Government & politics

Doctrine that an individual or government may stand above the law, and rule according to personal whim or choice. The doctrine reflects the belief that standards of justice, equality and impartiality ...

search warrant

Government; Government & politics

A court order that allows the person holding the order, generally a law enforcement officer, to search areas specified in the order for items specified in the order.