Government Flashcards
what is a government
organizes people
makes laws/rules to protect their property and rights
what are examples of influencing government
voting
community events/rally’s
protests
emails/letters
representative meetings
advocacy groups
engagement in media
attending community meetings
what are the different forms of government
democracy
monarchy
oligarchy
theocracy
dictatorship
communism
what is a democracy
2 forms: direct and representative/indirect
when everyone has decision making power
rule by the people -individuals in society play a role in making rules which people have to follow
what is the direct form of democracy
ruled by the people
people make major government decisions that are decided by majority
citizens come together to select leaders (via voting)
everyone has equal say
what is the indirect form of democracy
also known as representative democracy (the US uses this form)
citizens elect certain individuals to represent groups
how are oligarchies/aristocracies determined?
wealth, family/friendship ties, military power
what is an oligarchy/aristocracy
small group of leaders make decisions for the whole group/population –> tend to be members of the same political party
doesn’t matter if the people don’t agree. they have the highest power
what is a monarchy
rules are made by a king or queen that runs the country based on hereditary rule
monarchs can have absolute power or can have their power limited by a constitution
what is an absolute monarchy
lead by one person, exercise supreme authority
unlimited power, controls most of government
hereditary
ceremonial heads of state
what is a constitutional monarchy
power of monarch is limited by law
figure head does not have a lot of decision making power
king/queen follows what the people say
what is theocracy
laws and rules are based in religious values
leader is a religious leader
government power is unlimited
ex: modern day Iran or Vatican City
what is autocracy
one person runs the government/makes all decisions
what are examples of an autocracy
monarchy (hereditary)
constitutional monarchy – monarch is limited by laws
absolute- monarch is not limited
dictatorship: rules nation by force, making all government decisions
what is a dictatorship
one person or small group hold unlimited power over people with little limits to citizens power
rules nation by force, making all government decisions
Ex: modern day North Korea
what is socialism
economic system that limits economical ownership
all resources should be shared equally
what is communism
single political party makes rules for their people using socialist ideas
all elements of life are controlled, especially economic decisions/issues are controlled by government
what are principles of democracy
https://www.crivitz.k12.wi.us/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=783&dataid=4003&FileName=deomcratic%20principles_.pdf
equality and human rights
economic freedom
bill of rights
rule of law
control of the abuse of power
free and fair elections
multi party systems
citizen participation
accountability and transparency
independent judiciary
political tolerance
accepting the results of an election
equality and human rights
principle of democracy
not discriminating against groups of people based on race, language, culture, gender/sexuality
exercising your own human rights on daily basis
economic freedom
principle of democracy
* freedom to keep and control your property and money
* no government control over market
* citizens can participate in the makret and make decisions based on their own financial situation
the bill of rights
principle of democracy
Canadian charter, American constitution
the rights of civilians
the rule of law
the law applies to everyone
control of the abuse of power
principle of democracy
* one person should not have ultimate control over the people
* prevention from group in charge abusing their power
free and fair elections
principle of democracy
* your vote should not be influenced in any way
* you should be able to vote for who you please without any sort of backlash/consequence
* there should be no obstacles stopping people from voting
multi party systems
principle of democracy
* multiple parties contribute to national elections and government
* allows for opposition to parties
* helps provide a gov with diff perspectives, allows opportunity for people to have options.
citizen participation
principle of democracy
participation is a key role
takes many forms (influencing government)
accountability and transparency
principle of democracy
* responsible for citizens actions
* must make decisions based on wishes of the people, not themselves
* gov must be transparent about what is happening in parliament
independent judiciary
principle of democracy
the judicial branch is not influenced by the executive
no external pressure on judges to support a political agenda
political tolerance
principle of democracy
* the rights of the minority must still be protected
* People who are not in power must be allowed to organize and speak out
accepting results of an election
principle of democracy
accepting results
not accepting is against the values of a democracy