Chapter 1 (Principles of Government) Flashcards
Government
the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
public policies
all of those things a government decides to do
legislative power
the power to make laws and to frame public policies
executive power
the power to execute, enforce, and administer laws
judicial power
the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society
constitution
the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government
dictatorship
a form of government where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people
democracy
a form of government where supreme authority rests with the people
state
a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority
sovereign
having supreme power within one’s own territory; neither subordinate nor responsible to any other authority
autocracy
a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power
oligarchy
a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite
unitary government
a form of government where all powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency
federal government
a form of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments
division of powers
basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis
