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US Government > Chapter 1 > Flashcards

Chapter 1 Flashcards

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0
Q

Economy

A

The wealth and resources of a country or region

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1
Q

Parliament

A

The highest legislature, consisting of the sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons (in the UK)

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2
Q

Constitutionality

A

The state of being constitutional

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3
Q

Judicial

A

Interprets laws and settles disputes

Supreme court

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4
Q

Dictatorship

A

A form of government where the leader or leaders have absolute power and authority (don’t care for the people)

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5
Q

Government

A

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

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6
Q

Preamble

A

An introduction

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7
Q

The preamble of the constitution

A

States the six main purposes of the constitution

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8
Q

Oligarchy

A

A dictatorship ruled by a group of people instead of just one individual

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9
Q

Autocracy

A

A dictatorship ruled by one person

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10
Q

Presidential Government

A

A form of government in which the executive and legislative branches of the government are separate, independent and coequal (separations of power)

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11
Q

Liberal

A

Opened to ideas and new things

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12
Q

Militaristic

A

A government overtaken, ruled by the military

Ex: Quadafi

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13
Q

State

A

A body of people living in a defined territory who have a government with the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of any higher authority

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14
Q

Sovereignty

A

The people make decisions, choose their faith

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15
Q

Swing State

A

When a state is split and the population can go either way in an election

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16
Q

Democracy

A

A form of govt in which the supreme authority rests with the people

“A government of the people, by the people, for the people” (Lincoln)

17
Q

Judicial Review

A

Make sure new laws or policies are constitutional

18
Q

Parliamentary Government

A

A form of govt in which the executive branch is made up of the prime minister, or premier, and that official’s cabinet

19
Q

Conservative

A

Want to keep things the same, against changes

Opposite of liberals

20
Q

Public Policies

A

Anything the govt does are public policies

21
Q

Legislative

A

Make laws and public policies

Congress➡️ Senate, house of representatives

22
Q

Confederate

A

Confederation is a joining of several groups for a common purpose (EU)

23
Q

Executive

A

Enforces and administers laws

President, Vice-President, cabinet

24
Q

6 Constitutional Purposes

A

Popular Sovereignty (Power comes from the people)
Limited Government (No politicians above the law)
Seperation of Powers (Power is divided into three to prevent misuse)
Checks and Balances (Prevents tyranny by one branch of government)
Judicial Review (To ensure that the laws don’t go against the US)
Federalism (Ensures that the share of power is effective and not a threat)

25
Q

Unitary vs Federal Government

A

Unitary➡️ All govt power are held by one central agency
(UK- Parliament, France)

Federal➡️ Powers of govt are divided between a central govt and several local govt
(USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Switzerland,…)

26
Q

Dictatorship vs Democracy

A

A democracy is ruled by the people

A dictatorship is ruled by one person or a group of people

27
Q

Nation vs State vs Country

A

A country is a geographical location
A state is made of people and a governmental location
A nation is made of people bound together by a common culture, history and tradition

28
Q

Criteria of a senator

A
  • Lived in the state 7 years
  • US citizen for at least 9 years
  • Be at least 30 years old
29
Q

Distribution of powers

A

Legislative
Judicial
Executive

30
Q

Criteria of a President

A
  • Lived in the US for 14 years
  • Must be a natural born citizen
  • Must be at least 35 years old
31
Q

Importance of Constitution

A

The US Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens

32
Q

5 concepts of Democracy

A 
Worth of each individual
Equality of all persons
Majority rule, minority rights
Compromise
Individual freedom
33
Q

Duties of 3 Branches

A

Legislative: makes laws and public policies, the head is Congress
Executive: enforces and administers laws, the head is the President
Judicial: interprets laws and settles disputes, the head is the Supreme Court

34
Q

Presidential vs Parliamentary Govt

A

Presidential: legislative and executive are seperate
legislators are elected seperately from the president
USA created the first presidential system in the world

Parliamentary: the members of the legislative government are also members of the executive government
Prime minister is elected and then selects members of the cabinet who make the laws
Most govt in world today are parliamentary (UK)

35
Q

Importance and necessity of Government

A

It ensures the proper use of force, protects the individual rights, and prevents anarchy

36
Q

Why is it important to have our laws written down in a Constitution?

A

?

37
Q

Who were the first people to install American Government?

A

The founding fathers?

38
Q

Are all men truly created equal?

A

All have different levels of ability and opportunity

39
Q

Why is it important to compromise?

A

No one can be fully satisfied, the people are represented and the people are served

40
Q

Why do minority rights matter if majority rules?

A

?

41
Q

What are the limitation of individual liberty?

A

Absolute freedom can exist only in a state of anarchy

Human beings desire both liberty and authority

US Government (2 decks)

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