Government
the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Public Policy
All of the many goals that a government pursues in all of the many areas of human affairs in which it is involved
Legislative Power
the power to make a law and to frame public policies
Judicial Power
the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society
constitution
the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government
Dictatorship
form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority
Authoritarian
a form of government in which those in power hold absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people.
Totalitarian
characterized by a government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control
Democracy
a form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people
State
A body of people living in a defined territory who have a government with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority
Sovereign
having supreme power within its own territory; neither subordinate nor responsible to any other authority
Autocracy
a form of government in which a single person holds unlimited political power
Oligarchy
a form of government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite
Unitary Government
a centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single central agency
Federal Government
a form of government in which powers are divided between a central government and several local governments
Division of Powers
Basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis (in the United States, between the National Government and the States).
Confederation
a joining of several groups for a common purpose
Presidential Government
a form of government in which the executive and legislative branches of the government are separate, independent, and coequal
Parliamentary Government
a form of government in which the executive branch is made up of the prime minister, or premier, and that official's cabinet
Compromise
an adjustment of opposing principles or systems by modifying some aspect of each
Free Enterprise System
an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control, and determined in a free market
Law of Supply and Demand
a law which states that when supplies of goods and services become plentiful, prices tend to drop
Mixed Economy
an economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion
Executive Power
the power to execute, enforce, and administer law
Population, Territory, Sovereignty, Government
What are the four characteristics of a state?
Force Theory
theory that the state was born of force
Evolutionary Theory
theory that the state was developed naturally out of the early family
Divine Right Theory
theory that God created the state and God had given those of royal birth "divine right" to rule
Social Contract Theory
the theory that the state arouse out of the voluntary act of a free people, the state exists only to serve the will of the people, the people are the sole source of political power, popular sovereignty limited government and individual rights were promote
Purpose of the Constitution
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, secure the blessings of liberty
Dictators
Hitler, Fidel Castro, and North Korea's leader are all examples of what?
Basic Concepts of Democracy
worth of the individual. equality of all persons. majority rule, minority rights. necessity of compromise. individual freedom.
John Hancock
Who was the president of the 2nd Continental Congress?