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Government > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

0
Q

What do the solution to major problems faced by man?

A

Government

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1
Q

What are some major problems faced by man?

A
  1. Survival

2. Getting along with society

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2
Q

Define government

A

an institution through which society resolves conflicts and allocates resources

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3
Q

Define politics

A

a process by whereby collective decisions are made

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4
Q

What are some basic principles of government?

A
  1. It is the only legitimate institution that can exert force
  2. Government can obtain compliance through consent or force
  3. Individuals must lose freedom under a government
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5
Q

What are some basic objections to government?

A
  1. Certain groups are neglected
  2. In an emergency, government assumes too much power
  3. Citizens lose individual freedom
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6
Q

Why do we have government?

A
  1. Maintain social order
  2. Protect national security
  3. Provide for the collective good
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7
Q

What are some common assumptions about government?

A
  1. Public officials operate within the law
  2. Government decisions are responsive to public need
  3. Public officials are accountable
  4. Government belongs to the people
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8
Q

Define state (nation state)

A

a body of people living in a defined territory that is organized politically and has the power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority

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9
Q

Nation States must have:

A
  1. population
  2. territory
  3. government
  4. sovereignty
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10
Q

Define sovereignty

A

supreme power within the borders

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11
Q

What is the problem with democracy?

A

The issue of balancing individual freedom against the collective good of all citizens

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12
Q

What are some factors that influence government?

A
  1. Nationalism
  2. Religion
  3. Private Property
  4. Popular culture
  5. Education
  6. Participation and Cooperation
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13
Q

How can religion influence government?

A

It can:

  1. re-enforce nationalism
  2. provide an ideology for conquest
  3. set limits on wants
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14
Q

How is private property an influence on government?

A
  1. It is a conservative force

2. It discourages riot and civil disorder

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15
Q

How does popular culture influence government?

A

It gives us a sense of belonging

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16
Q

How does education influence government?

A
  1. Trains workers, who are voters

2. Affects the educated’s morality

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17
Q

How does participation and cooperation influence government?

A

It has more influence on a democracy

18
Q

What theories are behind the origins of the state?

A
  1. The Force Theory
  2. Evolutionary Theory
  3. Divine Theory
  4. Social Contract Theory
19
Q

What does The Force Theory say?

A

Someone must eventually become leader by force

20
Q

What does the Evolutionary Theory say?

A

The state grew from a family situation to a government as generations grew

21
Q

What does the Divine Theory say?

A

God has chosen these people to rule

22
Q

What is another name for the Divine Theory?

A

“The Divine Right of Kings”

23
Q

What does the Social Contract Theory say?

A

Government is in agreement with the people

24
Q

What kind of governments are under the Social Contract Theory?

A

Democracies

25
Q

What are some classifications of government?

A
  1. Geographic distribution of power
  2. Relationship between legislative and executive branch
  3. Number of people who participate
26
Q

How is power distributed in a Unitary government?

A

All political power is in a centralized agency

27
Q

How is power distributed in a Confederate government?

A

a league of sovereign states are grouped around a central government

28
Q

How is power distributed in a Federal government?

A

by a written constitution between a central and regional governments

29
Q

What is the relationship between the legislative and executive branches in a presidential government?

A

legislative and executive branches are separate and coequal

30
Q

What is the relationship between legislative and executive branches in a parliamentary government?

A

legislative and executive branches are not separate

31
Q

Describe a dictatorship

A

rulers are not responsible to the people

32
Q

What kind of dictatorships are there?

A
  1. Autocracy

2. Oligarchy

33
Q

Describe an Autocracy

A

one person has absolute control

34
Q

Describe an Oligarchy

A

an elite, small group of people control

35
Q

What kind of Democracies are there?

A
  1. Direct/Pure

2. Indirect/Republic

36
Q

Describe a Direct/Pure Democracy

A

everyone would have to vote on every issue

37
Q

Describe an Indirect/Republic Democracy

A

the people chose representatives to vote on their behalf

38
Q

What are the foundations of democracy?

A
  1. Every person has worth
  2. Equality of all people before the law
  3. Majority rule and minority rights
  4. Necessity of compromise
  5. Individual freedom
39
Q

What are some key ideas of American Democracy?

A
  1. Liberty
  2. Equality
  3. Property
40
Q

What are some examples of social issues in the U.S.?

A
  1. abortion
  2. equality
  3. gun control
  4. marijuana
41
Q

What are some examples of economic issues in the U.S.?

A
  1. trade
  2. taxes
  3. welfare
  4. national debt
  5. jobs
42
Q

What are some examples of issues regarding U.S. foreign policy?

A
  1. terror
  2. border security
  3. Russia
43
Q

What are some Domestic issues in the U.S.?

A
  1. law and order
  2. national disasters
  3. national power/state’s rights

Government (5 decks)

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