chapter 2 politics Flashcards
LIMITING GOVERNEMENT
ideas led to changes that sought to limit the power of governments
-key ideas of limiting government is separation of powers, sovereignty, constitutionalism, citizenship and the rule of law
CHECKING GOVERNMENT
- concerns the processes that are intended to make government accountable to the people
- all forms of accountability require citizens to have political and legal rights
VOICE OF THE PEOPLES PRINCIPLES
-representative government, democratic voting rights and the idea of a democratic society
Separation of powers
the division of government executive, legislative and judiciary powers into separate arms or institutions that act separately and are independent of each other
Independence of the judiciary
is central to the principles of good government
courts should base their descions on the authority of the law, not on opinion and free of interference from legislators or executive leaders
Sovereignty and Consent:
is the supreme authority to govern in an independent nation
Constitutionalism/citizenship
intro
power/authority
political constitutionalism set of fundamental laws that govern the governors
constitutional monarchies and republics
in a constitutional monarchy the monarch is almost completely restricted to acting on the advice of an elected parliament
constitutions check power
law limits power
governments only have authority to exercise powers that are set out in the constitution
subject and citizens
constitution makes citizenship possible
a subject is required to be loyal and obedient to the person or ruler
rule of law
1) law applies to the actions of all citizens whatever status or power
2) Must be effective ways of holding governments and officials accountable
3)Citizens are equal before the law
4)law must be clear and understandable so people can easily comply
definition an action is allowed or not allowed because of the law not because of the whim or power of governments, large corporations or powerful individuals
