American Government Unit 1 Flashcards
Government
the means by which a society organizes itself and how it allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs.
Constitution
Inspired by Locke; written by Jefferson; document that explicitly creates government institutions, defines the scope of government power, and guarantees certain civil liberties.
State
a political division of a body of people that occupies a territory defined by frontiers.
Four characteristics of the state
territory, population, government, and sovereignty.
Sovereignty
the dominant power or supreme authority
Force Theory
the strongest and most powerful individuals or groups imposed their will on others, establishing themselves as rulers and imposing their rule on the rest of the community.
Divine Right Theory
Ruler claims they have the God-given authority to rule
Social Contract Theory
The government and its people are in a contract and if the government breaks the contract the people have the right to overthrow it
Democracy
the government is elected by the people.
Direct democracy
(local) people vote directly on issues.
Indirect democracy
People vote to elect people who will vote on issues
Federal Government
Type of government with division of power between central and local government. Central government has authority over the state and local government.
Capitalism
Free-market economy; businesses and property are private
Oligarchy
consists of rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the government.
Anarchy
No government in place– chaos
Theocracy
Religious leaders rule based on divine right
Confederation
Type of government where power is equal between central and local governments
Communism
Business is owned and operated by government
Socialism
governments own many of the larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices
Totalitarian
Rule by a single political party.
Constitutional Monarchy
King/queen is more of a traditional role but majority of government is ran by a parliament
Revolutionary
Existing government is overthrown and new one is installed
Absolute Monarchy
King/Queen has absolute power and rule
Limited Government
The government must operate within certain boundaries set by the people
Rule of Law
No one is above the law, even rulers
Magna Carta
Inspired Dec of Independ.; trial by jury and due process of law
Bi-cameral
Legislature with “two houses”
Cameral
Legislature with “one house”
Declaration of Independence
- statement about basic human rights
- grievances to king
- statement of purpose
Written by Jefferson, inspired by Locke
Articles of Confederation
1st Governing Doc;
1 one vote for each state, regardless of size
2 Congress powerless to tax
3 Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce
4 no executive branch
5 no national court system
6 can only amend with the consent of all states
7 A 9/13 “super” majority required to pass laws
New Jersey Plan
Unicameral legislature (no); Congress given power to tax (yes); weak Executive and consist of more than one pres (no); weak judiciary appointed by exec branch (yes)
Virginia Plan
Bicameral legislature– lower elect by people (yes) and upper chosen by lower (no); strong executive chosen by legislature (no); national judiciary chosen by legislature (no)
The Great Compromise
CONNECTICUT PLAN; House of Reps based on state’s pop (435 members; 2 year terms); Senate has 2 reps for 6 year terms
3/5th compromise
slaves count as 3/5 person for the purpose of rep
Federalists vs Anti Fed
Feds favored new Constitution (strong central gov) and AntiFeds (central gov’t not too strong and worried about no Bill of Rights)
Strict constitutionalists
No room for interpretation of Constitution
Loose constitutionalists
Constitution can be interpreted
India
Democracy
England
Capitalism
Venezuela
Socialism
Cuba
Communism
Zimbabwe
Dictatorship
China
Totalitarian; single political party– votes for other parties/people not allowed
Iran
Theocracy
Jordan
Monarchy
Israel
Parliamentary; political party remains in power until new one
USA
Republic; people vote for reps
Afghanistan
Anarchy
USA, France, USSR
Revolutionary
Pakistan
Oligarchy (elite group rule)
English Bill of Rights
guaranteed fair trials and freedom from excessive punishment
Petition of Right
no tax w/o Parliament approval and monarchs must obey laws
