Indirect Democracy
A small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representations, expresses the popular will
Confederate Government
The Confederate government has the power to handle only those matters that the states have assigned to it
Federal Government
The powers of government are divided between a central (federal) government and states
Majority rule/Minority right
concepts of democracy
Usually majority is good and will overrule a small group of wrongdoers, but majority rule has to listen to minorities arguments and welcome suggestions.
Articles of Confederation
the original federal constitution drafted by the Continental Congress
Effect of the Articles
1. Congress had to ask states for funds or borrow
2. States
-Bickered among themselves
-Caused economic chaos
-Raised their own military
-Made treaties with other
The Virginia Plan
-States would send representation to the national legislature based on how large it is
Based on population
New Jersey Plan
All states would send the same number of representatives to the legislature
Connecticut Compromise ( Great compromise)
House of representatives-membership based on population
Senate-membership based on equality (2 per states)
3/5 Compromise
South did not want slaves to count as part of the population
Federalists
supported the new constitution; they
stressed the weakness of the Articles
Anti-Federalists
Those who opposed the ratification of the Constitution; they felt the Bill of Rights were necessary and needed
Limited Government
Has laws that limit a ruler's power
Absolute Monarchy
king or queen has absolute power
Constututional monarchy
king or queen is head of state, but elected officials run the government
Republic
strong central government headed by elected leaders
Totalitarianism
government that has complete control over almost every aspect of life
Legislative Branch
Branch of government that creates laws
Judicial Branch
Branch of government that interprets laws (Supreme Court)
Executive branch
branch of government that carries out laws
Mixed Market/Economy
gives the buyers and sellers the right to determine production of goods, cost, how much made, etc; their is only limited government involvement
Command Market/Economy
gives the government the right to determine the production of goods, cost, how much made etc; this is used in communist government
Traditional Market/Economy
Traditions & customs decide the rules for all the economic/production activity
Free Market
a economy based on supply and demand with little to no control from government
Constututional Monarchy
Serves as a guide to how the country should be governed; defines what government "can" & "can't" do
Democracy
Government ruled by the people; have elected representative (United States)
Direct Democracy
People govern themselves by voting on issues as individual citizens
Representative Demorcracy
Elected representatives that have authority to make laws and conduct government
Oligarchy
Rule by a few persons or a small group who holds power
Monarchy
A king, queen or emperor who decides the supreme powers of government
Parliamentary System
The executive branch is made of the prime minister or premier official
Authoritarian/Dictatorship
A dictator (One Person) has absolute power over the government. controls over everything including personal freedoms
Three Systems of Government
Federal
Unitary
Confederate
Federalism
Power divided/Shared between national & state governments (example: United States)
Unitary
All key powers to the National or Central government
Confederate
A loose nation of independent states. Strong state government and weak central government
Popular Sovereignty
The power of the government is within the people
Nation
A sizeable group of people united by common bonds of race, language, custom traditions and religion
Freedom/Liberty
Political or national independence; freedom from complete government control
4 Purposes of Government
-Maintain Social Order
-Provide Public Services
-National Security
-Economic System
Social Order
Enforce laws and provide ways to resolve conflicts
Public Services
Schools, roads, police, emergency services
National Security
Protects people from attacks from domestic and foreign attacks
Economic System
Helps regulate the economy; trade, goods, etc
Rule of Law
All people and institutions are accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced; the principle of government by the law
Separation of Powers
Each of the three government branches are responsible for checking the actions of the other two branches.
Checks and Balances
Each of the three government branches are responsible for checking actions of the branches;makes sure one branch does not have more power than the other
Equal Protection under the law
part of the 14th Amendment
-requires that states guarantee the same rights, privileges, and protections to ALL citizens
Due Process
part of 14th amendment
-government must follow proper procedures of the law & gives the federal government power to enforce
McCulloch v. Maryland
Allows Congress to power that they could not foresee when constitution was written; Congress has implied powers under the Necessary Proper Clause (Article 1); Created the Elastic Clause and Supremacy Clause.
Marbury vs Madison
Judicial Review; Courts have the power to declare laws an whether they are constitutional