Gov Semester 1 Final Flashcards
What are the three main components of government?
people: elected & non-elected
powers: gov’s authority & ability to get stuff done (3 branches)
policies: laws, programs, actions
- ^ know what they mean too *
What is a state?
Political unit with power to enforce laws
What are states characteristics?
Sovereignty (self-governed), population, territory
For people to accept forms of rule, what do rulers need?
Legitimacy
What is the social contract
Following rules for protection, we can overthrow gov by voting
Whos credited with the idea of the social contract?
John Locke
What is a monarchy?
Inherited position, one person in charge, autocracy (one person ruler)
What is a dictatorship?
One person (or small group) having unlimited power, use fear and force
What is an oligarchy?
A small group being in charge (typically in a dictatorship)
What is direct democracy?
Democracy: Ruled by the people, people are the source of govs power
People vote on everything
What is a republic?
Indirect or representative democracy
What is a unitary system?
National gov has ultimate authority
What is a federal system?
Separate and shared power, both gov and state have shared power
What is a confederate system?
States have the ultimate authority
What is a presidential system?
Elected by the people, head of executive branch and military, sets foreign policies, sets direction for domestic legislation
What is a parliamentary system?
A prime minister and legislative in same branch
PM a member of parliament and heads majority party
What are the ideals of american democracy?
Liberty, equality, self-government
What is liberty?
Freedom from gov control, dec of independence, freedom to exercise rights
What is equality?
Fair treatment and equal opportunities for everyone
What is self-gov?
Ordinary people become in charge
People are the source of power
What is majority rule and minority rights?
Right for the unpopular groups opinions, can debate and vote in elections
What are the three branches?
Legislative, Judicial, Executive
What does the legislative branch do?
House of reps and senate
What is judicial branch?
Courts and judges, civil cases
What is the executive branch?
Enforcing laws, president
What is a bicameral gov?
2 houses in a gov
What is a Proprietary colony?
king gave land grant and proprietor (appointed by king) makes laws
What is a Royal colony?
directly appointed by king and controlled by a governor (does what king wants)
What is a Charter colony?
King and Colony agreed to charter and the colony runs itself
What is the stamp act?
Tax on all paper goods
Colonies met and told the king the power to tax should be left to the colonies
What is the first continental congress?
Georgia didn’t come. Called for the repeal of intolerable acts, king says no
What is the second continental congress?
Asked again to repeal intolerable acts, he said no again
What are the articles of confederation?
the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.
What is shay’s rebellion?
Farmers were going to lose their farms so Daneil Shay led the farmers and surrounded and rioted around a courthouse to prevent the foreclosure hearings ,
Gov couldnt ask states for help or money
What is the virginia plan?
Edmund Randolph
- 3 branches, checks and balances
- power to tax, override state laws, control commerce between states,
- Bicameral legislature w/ membership based on population (power based on pop)
What is the new jersey plan?
William Patterson
- 3 Branches
-Unicameral legislature w/ membership based on equal representation (equal power)
What is the great compromise?
Combined VA and NJ plans
Bicameral legislature (house of rep: pop based, elected by people
Senate: equal rep chosen by state legislature)
What is the 3/5’s compromise?
The south wanted slaves to count in the population for representatives, and the north didn’t
- 3/5 of total number of slaves counted in the pop
What did the federalists want for the constitution?
They wanted the constitution
Antifederalists?
Didn’t want constitution, wanted a bill of rights
What is the bill of rights?
12 amendments, freedom of speech, right to bear arms, etc…
What is popular sovereignty?
We the people, the gov gets power from the people elected leaders, republic
First basic principle of governing
What is limited gov?
rule of law (everyone no matter role in gov has to follow the laws), bill of rights, informed citizens
Second basic principle of governing
What is rule of law?
everyone no matter their role in gov has to follow the laws
What is separation of powers?
3 SEPERATE branches (judicial, executive, legislative)
legislative: makes laws
judicial: interprets laws
executive: carries out laws
What is checks and balances?
- prevents one branch from becoming too powerful
-> easiest example: president can veto laws, goes back to congress and they can override that too
What is a veto?
Bill is rejected
What is judicial review?
-> power of courts to deicide if an action is unconstitutional
What is unconstitutional mean?
failing to comply with a constitution.
What is federalism?
Division of power between state and federal gov