Chapter 1 Test Flashcards
Government
The institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies
Public policies
Something that the government decides to do
What is the Governments purpose/ role?
Ancient Greeks believed it was to improve the lives of its citizens
Declaration of Independence says to protect the rights of its citizens
Unalienable rights
Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Where does the governments power come from
God
Force
People
Is the government good, bad or even necessary
Yes yes and yes
Identify/Describe the five form of government
1) anarchy- no government
2) dictatorship/monarchy- power rest with one person
3) oligarchy- a rule by a small group
4) democracy- a rule by the people
5) republic- a rule by the law
Anarchy
No government
Dictatorship
Power rests with one person
Oligarchy
A rule by a small group or a few
Democracy (direct and indirect)
Indirect- through their representatives
Direct- themselves
Republic
A rule by law
What are the two main forms of government today
Democracy and oligarchy
Limitation of government=
Freedom
The government is given three kinds of powers
1) legislative power
2) executive power
3) judicial power
Legislative power
Makes the laws- congress does this
Executive power
Enforces laws- president does this
Judicial power
Interprets law- Supreme Court does this
Who grants the powers to the government
Nations constitution
Nations constitution
Fundamental laws and principles of government
State
The dominant political power in the world
The state is referred to a _____ or _____.
Country or nation
Identify/describe the 4 characteristics of state
1) population- ppl
2) territory/ border- Land
3) sovereignty- supreme power
4) central government- politically organized
Identity/ describe the origins of state
1) force theory- state was born out of force
2) evolution theory- state went from family to clan to tribe
3) divine right theory- God gave a certain group the right to vote
4) social contract theory- free ppl gave the state as much power as needed to promote the safety and well-being of all
Identify/describe the 6 purposes of government
1) form a more perfect union- strengthen the union
2) to establish justice- the law must be reasonable
3) insure domestic tranquillity-provide law and order at home
4) provide for the common defense- defense against foreign enemies
5) promote the general welfare- provides services such as EPA, FDA, post office and schools
6) Secure the blessings of Liberty- guarantees freedom for the individuals
No two governments are or ever have been _____ ______.
Exactly alike
Name the 3 classifications of Government
- Number who may participate
- Where the power lies
- Relationship between the legislative and executive branches
In a democracy ___ can participate
All
Name the two types of dictatorship
Autocracy and oligarchy
Autocracy
Single person holds power
All dictatorships are______.
Authoritarian
Authoritarian
The state has all the political power
Some dictatorships are _______.
Totalitarian
Totalitarian
The state has total power over every aspect of the people’s lives
Name the three forms where the power lies in a government
1) unitary
2) federal
3) confederate
Unitary government
(Parliamentarian)
The power lies in the hands of a single central agency
Most used form
Example is Great Britain
Federal government
(Presidential)
Power is shared equally by the central and the local agencies
Example is the USA
Confederate government
(Not used in the world today)
Power is given to the local agencies only
Example- confederate states of America
Name 2 forms of relationships between the legislative and executive branches
1) presidential
2) parliamentary
Presidential
Legislative and executive branches are independent and co-equal
Parliamentary
Executive(prime minister) is chosen and controlled by the legislative branch
Identify/Describe the 5 basic elements/concepts of a democratic government
1) Equality of all persons(equality of opportunity and equality before law)
2) worth of the individual( we are separate and distinct beings
3) Majority rule, Minority rights(the minority has rights and can turn into the majority)
4) Necessity of compromise(there are two side to everything)
5) individual freedom (we have rights but they are not complete)
Majority rule
The minority has rights and can become the majority
Compromise
An agreement or settlement of a disputed that is reached by each side giving a little
Sovereign
Supreme power
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Citizen
One who holds certain rights and responsibilities within a state
Name the three duties of a citizen
1) obey laws
2) go to school
3) pay taxes
Name the 3 responsibilities of a citizen
1) vote
2) community volunteering
3) running for office
America’s commitment to freedom is based on roots in our______ _______.
Economic system
Free enterprise
(Capitalism) American economic system that is based on 5 fundamental ideas
Identify the 5 ideas of Free Enterprise
1) private ownership
2) individual initiative
3) profit
4) competition
5) supply and demand
What is the life and blood of Capitalism
Competition
What is the governments main role in the US economy
To protect and preserve free enterprise
Identify the difference between a democracy and a republic
The extent to which the people control the process of making laws
Confederation
An alliance of independent states
Division of power
The separation of the powers
