Chapter Two Flashcards
Define Separation of Powers
First devised by the French noble Montesquie, it is defined as the separation of government in to three bodies, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. In his system these three bodies should be able to carry out their duties independent of one and other.
Define Constitutionalism
The idea that the power of government is limited by the rules of the constitution and the government can be challenged for such a breach in the law courts.
Define The rule of law
Better said as the rule of law, not men, it refers to how no person or group of people can decide on what is allowed or not allowed, the law dictates this.
Define Responsible Parliamentary government
Describes how the government are responsible or held accountable by the parliament who are in turn responsible for the people.
Define Representative Government
A government that is representative of the people in the society it governs.
Define Representative Parliament
A parliament that is representative of the people, which means it must have an adequate voting system that accounts for minorities in society.
Define Sovereignty
The supreme authority to govern an independent nation. In non-democratic systems, this is based on traditional or religious authority but in democratic system this is based on the consent of the people.
Define Political participation
Ones right to participate equally in politics regardless of wealth and social stature.
Define Natural Justice
The judical process which in a democratic society should be deemed natural, that the due process of court should be applied to everyone including the right to know what one is being charged with and the right of innocent until proven guilty.
Define Citizenship
Different from subjects, citizens are granted definite political and civil rights.
Define Independence from the Judiciary
Part of the separation of powers, it requires the judicial arm of government to be completely separate from the other two as much as possible.
Define Constitutional Monarchy
A form of government in which the monarch still exists but purely as a symbol, they almost always are dictated by the will of politicians.
Define Republic
A society which contains a representative government but has a set out constitution which protects minorities from intervention from the government.
Define Democratic Republic
A half democracy half republic, in which democratic principals still exist but there is a clear set out constitution that protects minorities.
Define Political and legal rights
Political rights include the right to free speech and the right to form groups for any legal activity, as well as the freedom of the press. Legal rights refer to the right to be treated equally and not be discriminated upon for any reason. All citizens must be granted these rights in a democratic society.