final Flashcards
a system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual
Autocracy
a government ruled by a few powerful people
oligarchy
a form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives
Direct democracy
a system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to makes decisions about the laws for all the people
representative democracy
notion that democracy depended on unselfish commitment to the public good
civic virtue
the ideals and practices of ancient Greek or Roman city-states that emphasized civic participation and the responsibility of citizens for the well-being of their polity, or country
classical republicanism
belief that a rulers authority comes directly from god
divine right
stated that it was the government’s duty to protect life liberty and property
John Locke
a law established by following earlier judicial decisions
common law
a charter of liberty and political rights obtained from King John of England by his rebellious barons at Runnymede in 1215
Magna Carta
principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
rule of law
a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
writ of Habeas Corpus
“Father of the Constitution”
James Madison
a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution
Constitutional convention
constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judicial interpreting the law
separation of powers
a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
electoral college
a system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse or power
checks and balances
Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws when the national government is acting within its constitutional limits
supremacy clause
a term used to describe supporters of the constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures
federalist
a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)
Bill of Rights
official changes, corrections, or additions to the constitution
Amendments
review by a court of law of actions of government official or entity or some other legally appointed person of body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court
Judicial Review
this case establishes the supreme court’s power of judicial review
Marbury v. Madison
groups of people who organize to help elect government officials and influence government policies
political parties
the administration of justice according to established rules and principles
due process
rights possessed by persons who are arrested by the police. (remain silent, attorney, etc.)
Miranda Rights
a landmark case in United States Supreme Court history. In the case, the supreme court unanimously ruled that state courts are required under the 6th Amendment of the Constitution to provide counsel in criminal cases for defendants unable to afford their own attorneys
Gideon v. Wainwright
a document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Constitution
