I and S Politics words Flashcards
Monarchies
A area ruled by a leader, usually king, queen, or emperor
Absolute monarchies
The monarchs rule with unlimited power
Constitutional monarchies
The government makes laws put into legislature for the king or queen or emperor, their power limited
Legislature
A body of people authorized to make, amend, and repeal laws.
Executive government
Makes sure the rules (laws) are followed, led by the president or prime minister.
Ceremonial government
Their job is mostly to show respect and make things look nice, not really make big decisions or rules. They just help celebrate special events and represent the country in a friendly way.
Democracy
Democracy is a way of making decisions where everyone gets a chance to share their ideas and vote on what they think is best (eg. elections).
Democratic institutions
A democratic institution is a special group or place where people come together to help make decisions for everyone, fair for everybody.
Parliamentary democracy
Way of running a country where the people pick leaders to make decisions for them.
Anarchy
There is no government and people share same level of power.
Theocracy
People who are religiously acknowledged are put into power, considered holy and powerful. The laws are based on religious rules.
Oligarcy
A form of government where people with the most wealth has more power, a plutocracy.
Direct democracy
People decide on laws themselves, without a representative voting for them. Laws must be voted with majority of people.
Representative democracy
A form of government where people vote on a representative who will vote on laws. The people can change their representative by elections.
Constitution
The principal or way a government works.
Judicary
A countries system of courts, dealing with criminal and civil cases.
Cabinet
Runs executive branches, making sure they go smoothly.
Checks and balances
Limits powers of branches, making sure they all share equal power, often used in republics and constitutional monarchies.
Military rule
The military has most power, unlimited, common in dictatorships.
Civilian rule
People are usually in not members of the military, having power on how the military is used.
Positive rights
Makes life more efficient, but limits personal freedom
Negative rights
Allow high levels of personal freedom, but leave people and citizens unprotected.
Libertarianism
Preferences local and individual power over governments, leaving a high level of individual rights and personal freedom.
Statism
Rely on strong governments to make decisions for a individual, lacking individual rights.
Totalitarianism
Government has entire control over persons life.
