Chapter 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is government?

A

The institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies

Public policies are those things a government decides to do.

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2
Q

What is the purpose of government?

A

To improve the lives of citizens

The Declaration of Independence states to protect the rights of its citizens, including ‘unalienable rights’ such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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3
Q

Where does government derive its power from?

A

God, force, people

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4
Q

Is government good, bad, or even necessary?

A

It can be both good and bad, depending on the form of government.

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5
Q

What is anarchy?

A

No government

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6
Q

What is a dictatorship/monarchy?

A

Power rests with one person or state; rule not responsible to the will of the people

‘Everything within the State, nothing outside the State, nothing against the State’ - Vladimir Lenin.

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7
Q

What is oligarchy?

A

Rule by a small group

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8
Q

What is democracy?

A

Rule by the people, majority

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9
Q

What is a republic?

A

Rule by the law

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10
Q

What is theocracy?

A

Rule by religious leaders

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11
Q

What are the three kinds of power given to government?

A
  • Legislative power (make laws) - Congress
  • Executive power (enforce law) - President
  • Judicial power (interpret laws) - Supreme Court
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12
Q

What is the dominant political unit in the world?

A

The state, more commonly referred to as a country or nation.

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13
Q

What are the four characteristics of a state?

A
  1. Population: (people)
  2. Territory / border: (land)
  3. Sovereignty: (supreme power)
  4. Central government: (politically organized)
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14
Q

What is the force theory?

A

The right to rule comes through coercion (strongest).

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15
Q

What is the evolutionary theory?

A

The right to rule evolved over time through stages of development: 1. Family (father) 2. Clan 3. Tribe (chiefs).

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16
Q

What is the divine right theory?

A

The right to rule comes from God (King/Queens).

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17
Q

What is the social contract theory?

A

The right to rule comes from the people - a contract between people and government, as proposed by John Locke.

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18
Q

What is the first purpose of our government?

A

To form a more perfect union

19
Q

What is the second purpose of our government?

A

Establish justice

20
Q

What is the third purpose of our government?

A

Insure domestic tranquility

21
Q

What is the fourth purpose of our government?

A

Provide for common defense

22
Q

What is the fifth purpose of our government?

A

Promote the general welfare

23
Q

What is the sixth purpose of our government?

A

Secure the blessings of liberty

24
Q

What are the two forms of participation in government?

A
  1. Democracy: all can participate!
  2. Dictatorship: one person or small group participates.
25
Q

What are the two types of democracy?

A
  1. Direct: people participate themselves.
  2. Indirect: people participate through their representatives.
26
Q

What is autocracy?

A

A type of dictatorship where a single person holds power.

27
Q

What is the difference between authoritarian and totalitarian dictatorships?

A

All dictatorships are authoritarian (the state has all political power). Some are totalitarian (the state has total power over every aspect of the people’s lives).

28
Q

What are the three forms of where power lies in government?

A
  1. Unitary: power lies in the hands of a single central agent.
  2. Federal: power is shared equally by the central and local agencies.
  3. Confederate: power is given to the local agencies.
29
Q

What is an example of a unitary government?

A

Great Britain.

30
Q

What is an example of a federal government?

A

United States of America.

31
Q

What is an example of a confederate government?

A

Confederate States of America / Articles of Confederation.

32
Q

What are the two forms of relationship between legislative and executive branches?

A
  1. Presidential: legislative and executive branches are independent and co-equal.
  2. Parliamentary: executive (prime minister) is chosen and controlled by the legislative branch.
33
Q

What are the five basic foundations of American democracy?

A
  1. Equality of all persons: a) equality of opportunity, b) equality before the law
  2. Worth of the individual
  3. Majority rule, minority rights
  4. Necessity of compromise
  5. Individual freedom
34
Q

What does ‘equality of all persons’ include?

A

a) equality of opportunity
b) equality before the law

35
Q

What is meant by ‘worth of the individual’?

A

It signifies that we are separate and distinct beings.

36
Q

What is the principle of ‘majority rule, minority rights’?

A

The majority rules, but the minority has rights and can become the majority.

37
Q

What does ‘necessity of compromise’ imply?

A

There are two sides to everything.

38
Q

What is meant by ‘individual freedom’?

A

We have rights, but they are not complete.

39
Q

What is a citizen?

A

A citizen is one who holds certain rights and responsibilities within the State.

40
Q

What are the qualifications to be a citizen?

A
  1. Born in the U.S.
  2. Naturalization
41
Q

What are the required duties of a citizen?

A
  1. Obey laws
  2. Jury duty
  3. Pay taxes
  4. School attendance
42
Q

What are the encouraged responsibilities of a citizen?

A
  1. Be informed/voting
  2. Respect the property/right of others
  3. Participate in community
  4. Respect opinions of others
43
Q

What is America’s economic system called?

A

Free enterprise (capitalism - market economy)

44
Q

What is the American economic system based on?

A

Five fundamental ideas.