Ideas That Influenced Revolutions

Separation of powersThe belief that power should not rest in the hands of

one or few, but should be delegated

Checks and balancesMeasures designed to prevent one branch of

government from becoming more powerful than the others

LibertyFreedom, the ability to make choices; not to be

oppressed by the government or by any social or economic classes.

EqualityThe belief that all men (individuals) are equal in

regards to their political rights.

DemocracyAn ideal of governing where the people make political

decisions. This ideal has taken many forms, such as the direct democracy of Greece and the Roman Republic where elected representatives speak and vote on behalf of the people.

Popular sovereigntyThe concept that political power rests with the people

who can create, alter, or abolish government. People express themselves through voting and free participation.

Human rightsInclude inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the

pursuit of happiness, as well as freedom of speech, religion, and the press. While each government or culture determines the rights for their society, human rights tend to cross cultural barriers.

ConstitutionalismThe idea that the basic principles and laws of a

government should be organized and administered through compliance with a written or unwritten constitution.

NationalismDevotion to the interests or culture of one's nation; the

belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, emphasizing national rather than international goals; aspirations for national independence in a country under foreign domination