Government Chapter 1

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?