Ch. 1+2 Flashcards
Public policies
All the things a government decides to do
What is government?
The institution through which society makes and enforces it’s public policies.
3 kinds of government power?
Legislative. Executive. Judicial.
Legislative power?
Make laws and public policies
Executive power
Execute, enforce, and administer laws
Judicial power?
To interpret laws meanings and settle disputes
Constitution?
Fundamental laws that set principles, structures, and processes of the government
Dictatorship
Power held in single person or small group
Democracy
Authority in the people
Politics?
The process by which society decides how power and resources will be distributed within society.
State?
A body of people living in a defined territory organized politically with power to make and enforce laws with out any higher authority.
(Nation or country)
Sovereignty
Supreme and absolute power within it own territory and can decide it’s own foreign and domestic policies
Force theory
State was born by a person who claimed control over an area
Evolutionary theory
One person headed a family that grew and leadership was passed down
Divine right theory
God created the state and rulers are choosen
Social contract theory
Individuals give power to government to promote well being
Governments are classified according to:
- who can participate
- Geographic distribution of government power within state
- Relationship between legislative and executive branches
