American Government Flashcards
Theocracy
a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god; a government controlled by religious leaders; used in ancient Egypt and modern Iran.
Oligarchy
China “sort of” has this form of government. It involves a small group of elites having political power.
Communism
economic ideology developed by Karl Marx in the 1850s; all properties, factories, etc. would be collectively owned by all of the people; advocated violent overthrow of capitalist institutions
Constitutional Monarchy
Countries using this governmental form have kings or queens, but they have little or no power. England is an example.
Thomas Hobbes
He believed people DID NOT have the right to break the “social contract.”
Force Theory
This theory states that governments developed because of the need for mutual defense.
Divine Right
This governmental form involves rulers who claim they are chosen by God (or the gods).
Democracy
a governmental system first begun by the ancient Greeks
Republic
a democracy that allows the people to elect representatives; the USA is a prime example
Evolutionary Theory
the idea that early governments developed from the structure of a family
John Locke
He believed people DID have the right, and even the responsibility, to break the social contract.
dictatorship
a governmental form in which absolute power and control are directed by one leader; this power is usually used harshly. Sudan, Syria, and North Korea are modern examples
fascism
this type of government features a charismatic dictator. Hitler (Germany) and Mussolini (Italy) were major examples
Socialism
in this economic ideology, many of a country’s basic industries are run by the government.
Monarchy
government featuring a powerful king or queen; Saudi Arabia is a modern example.
