Ideas that influenced the revolutions of the late 18th century.

2. Separation of powers
 The belief that power should not rest in the hands of
one or few, but should be delegated

3. Checks and balances
 Measures designed to prevent one branch of
government from becoming more powerful than the
others

4. Liberty
 Freedom, the ability to make choices; not to be
oppressed by the government or by any social or
economic classes.

5. Equality
 The belief that all men (individuals) are equal in
regards to their political rights.

6. Democracy
 An 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.

7. Popular sovereignty
 The concept that political power rests with the people
who can create, alter, or abolish government. People
express themselves through voting and free
participation.

8. Human rights
 Include 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.

9. Constitutionalism
 The idea that the basic principles and laws of a
government should be organized and administered
through compliance with a written or unwritten
constitution.

10. Nationalism
 Devotion 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