Democracy vocab study guide

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

A ruling power in a political society that has the authority to make laws, resolve disputes, and make decisions; responsible for providing order to a nation.

Question 2

Democracy

Answer 2

government in which the people have control, either directly or through elected representatives; republic

Question 3

Dictatorship

Answer 3

government in which authority lies in one supreme ruler

Question 4

Theocracy

Answer 4

government in which authority lies in religious leaders

Question 5

Aristocracy

Answer 5

the social class made up of people who inherit their wealth and position

Question 6

Absolutism

Answer 6

government in which the leader(s) hold complete power; synonym for dictatorship

Question 7

Constitution

Answer 7

document stating the basic principles of a nation, the powers and duties of the government, and the rights of the people

Question 8

Legislature

Answer 8

law-making group made up of elected officials

Question 9

Suffrage

Answer 9

The right to vote

Question 10

Conscription

Answer 10

required enrollment in the military; draft

Question 11

Oligarchy

Answer 11

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

Question 12

Kleptocracy

Answer 12

government whose corrupt leaders use political power to steal the wealth of their nation, at the expense of the rest of the people. (Thievocracy is a synonym)

Question 13

Coup d’etat

Answer 13

the takeover and removal of a government in an illegal, unconstitutional way by, often by the military
[short version: coup]
[pronounced: cooo]

Question 14

Secular

Answer 14

things that have no religious or spiritual basis

Question 15

monarchy

Answer 15

Government ruled by king or queen