Chapter One Flashcards
Government
an institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people under its control
Nation
a sizable group of people who believe themselves united by common bonds of race, language, custom, or religion
John Locke
philosopher that believed people had natural rights and that the social contract was made between the people and that a government promised to secure these rights
Thomas Hobbes
philosopher that believed in the social contract theory, where people surrendered their freedom to the state, and in return, received order and security
State
a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government
Abe Lincoln belief on government
the government should provide to the people what they cannot provide for themselves
Are a country and a state basically the same thing?
yes
Anarchy
a state that has no laws and no formal structure of government
Unitary System (system 1)
government that gives all key power to the national or central government
Federal System (system 3)
a government that divides the powers of government between the national and state governments
Constitution
a plan that provides the rules for government
Republic
government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives , responsible to the people, and exercise their power
Confederacy (system 2)
a loose union of independent states
Constitutional government
a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern
Democracy
form of government in which people rule themselves
What is the US’s government form?
republic
Monarchy
government in which a queen or king (even emperor) exercises supreme powers of government
Economics
the study of how people and nations use their limited resources to attempt to satisfy wants and needs
Environmental Regulations
can reduce production of goods by limiting the amount of resources that are available for use
Traditional Economies
where items such as rugs can be traded with fish and other foods
Sovereignty
the supreme and absolute authority with territorial boundaries
Social Contract
theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state agrees to protect citizens
Laissez Faire
the government should stay out of economic affairs
Oligarchy
a system of government in which a small group of people holds power
Proletariat
workers who produce the goods
Dictatorship
a system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control
Capitalism
economic system that emphasizes private ownership of the factors of production, freedom of choice, and individual incentives
Free Market
economic system in which buyers and sellers makes free choices in the marketplace
Mixed Economies
a system in which the government regulates private enterprise
Socialism
economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as health care and welfare
Communism
economic system in which the central government directs all major economic decisions
Regulation
a rule made and maintained by authority
Characteristics of a sovereign state
a permanent population, a government not under another
3 benefits of a federal system
- sharing power between levels of government
- states tailor to needs of state population
- central government can pass laws for all states if majority feel it’s beneficial
4 defining characteristics of a state
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government
