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Government > Module 1 Study Guide > Flashcards

Module 1 Study Guide Flashcards

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1
Q

Social Contract Theory

A

Argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people and that the state exists only to serve the will of the people. Governments are created to exercise the powers the people had voluntarily given the state. A Theory That Holds That People Agree To Give Up Power To The State To Promote The Well-being Of All

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2
Q

Government (defenition)

A

The institution(vehicle) by which a state is maintained. Makes and enforces its public policies. Made up of people who exercise its powers, all those who have authority and control over people.

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3
Q

Public Policies

A

The things a government decides to do.

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4
Q

Democracy

A

The responsibility for the exercise of the 3 powers of government held by the majority of the people (supreme authority rests with the people). Gives voice to the people and to protect their basic human rights

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5
Q

John Locke

A

Society based on natural rights and the social contract theory. Influenced Declaration of Independence

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6
Q

Patriotism

A

Devotion to ones country.

Example: wearing red white and blue on July 4, joining military.

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7
Q

Natural Rights

A

Rights that Locke believed everyone should have. Life, liberty and property

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8
Q

4 origins of state

A

Force Theory
Devine Rights of Kings Theory
Evolutionary Theory
Social Contract Theory

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9
Q

Force Theory

A

A territory and control of the people is taken by force. EX. Nazi Germany

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10
Q

Devine Right of Kings Theory

A

God created the state and appointed the rulers. Anything against govt is against god. EX. Pope in Vatican City

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11
Q

Evolutionary Theory

A

The head of primitive families are the rulers of the state. EX. United Kingdom

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12
Q

Direct Democracy (pure)

A

The people formulate public policy. Works only at small, local level of govt

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13
Q

Indirect Democracy (representative)

A

Group chosen by the people formulate public policy. Widely used at federal, state and local govt

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14
Q

3 Powers of all governments

A

legislative power, executive power, judicial power.

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15
Q

Legislative branch

A

Makes laws

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16
Q

Executive branch

A

Power to enforce laws

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17
Q

Judicial branch

A

Power to interpret laws

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18
Q

4 Characteristics of a state

A

(PTSG)
Population (people that live there)
Territory (land with recognized borders)
Sovereignty (Power within its territory)
Government (organized politically)

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19
Q

6 Elements of the Preamble

A

-Form a more perfect union
-Establish Justice
-Insure domestic tranquility
-Provide for the common defense
-Promote general welfare
-Secure the Blessings of Liberty

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20
Q

Form a more perfect union

A

Links the american people

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21
Q

Establish Justice

A

Keep truth, liberty and fairness.

22
Q

Insure Domestic Tranquillity

A

Order/keeping peace

23
Q

Provide for the common defense

A

Defending the nation against foreign enemies

24
Q

Promote the general welfare

A

Trying to improve society and provide help

25
Q

Secure the blessings of liberty

A

Having liberty, protecting rights

26
Q

3 Classifications used to analyze government

A

-Geographical distribution of govt power in a a state (UFC)
-# Of people who participate in govt (Dict, Dem)
-Relationship between legislative and executive branches (Parli, Presi)

27
Q

Advantages of a unitary form of government

A

-maintaining clear authority
-responding quickly to crisis
-avoiding legal debate over who has what power

28
Q

Republic (Indirect democracy)

A

-People vote for their leaders by electing representatives (USA)

29
Q

Federal (republic/central) form of Government

A

States and central government have some power. Central government has power over states government. (USA) F/S

29
Q

Direct Democracy

A

-People vote for their leaders directly (Switzerland)

30
Q

Confederate form of Government

A

Governments of states have majority of power. States and central government have some power. The central government has very limited powers, given by states (EU) S/F

31
Q

Parlimentary form of Government

A

People elect representatives to a parliament to help rule. PM is part of executive branch. (UK) L/E

32
Q

Presidential form of Government

A

A system of government where the executive branch exists separately from a legislature with equal powers. (USA) L=E

33
Q

Baron de Montesquieu

A

French philosopher. Believed in separation of powers so that one group or person takes over the power of a state

34
Q

William Blackstone

A

UK politician. Created concept of common law.

35
Q

Common Law

A

Concept that the same legal process/punishments must apply for everyone. 1 year for Johnny=1 year for Joey

36
Q

Precedent

A

Earlier laws or decisions that provide some example or rule to guide them in the case they’re actually deciding. (Judicial Branch)

37
Q

Feudalism

A

System in which people were given land and protection by people of higher rank, and worked and fought for them in return

38
Q

Mercantilism

A

Governments used their economies to augment state power at the expense of other countries

39
Q

Checks and Balances

A

Allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from having too much power

40
Q

Basic Notions of Democracy

A

-Worth of individuals
-Equality of all persons
-Majority rule, minority rights
-Necessity of comprimise
-Insistence upon individual freedom

41
Q

Worth of Individual

A

Every individual is a separate and distinct being.There are instanced where people are forced to do things for the interest of everyone.

Ex. Paying taxes

42
Q

Equality of all Persons

A

Everyone is entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law.

Ex. All people are treated equal, not because of gender, race, etc.

43
Q

Majority rule, minority rights

A

Minorities have rights, ruled by majority.

Ex. Govt

44
Q

Necessity of Comprimise

A

Comprimise is acceptable blend of everyones views.

Ex. Voting

45
Q

Insistence upon Individual Freedom

A

Democracy isn’t absolute freedom. Has balance between individual freedoms and right of society

Ex. Noise ordinance

46
Q

Duty

A

Things you HAVE to do
Ex. Register for draft, pay taxes, respect rights of others

47
Q

Responsibility

A

Things you SHOULD do
Ex. Volunteering, voting, participating in civic life

48
Q

Ancient Athens vs. Roman Republic

A

Athens- Used direct democracy, assembly to make decisions
Romans- Had representation through elections , created senate, struggle of social classes

49
Q

Ancient Athens vs. US Govt

A

Athens- Used direct democracy, assembly to make decisions
USA-Indirect democracy, has representatives and elections

50
Q

How are representative democracy and free enterprise system similar?

A

They both have a central government

Government (5 decks)

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