social 12- chapter 1

Question 1

government

Answer 1

the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

Question 2

purpose of government

Answer 2

1. to form a more perfect union
2. provide for the common defense
3. provide peace and order
4. establish justice
5. promote general welfare (health)
6. secure the blessings of liberty

Question 3

public policies

Answer 3

all of those things a government decides to do

Question 4

three basic powers of government

Answer 4

legislative, executive, and judicial

Question 5

legislative power

Answer 5

make laws and frame public policies

Question 6

executive power

Answer 6

execute, enforce, and administer laws

Question 7

judicial power

Answer 7

interpret laws and settle disputes

Question 8

constitution

Answer 8

written plan of government

Question 9

democracy

Answer 9

supreme authority rests with the people

Question 10

state

Answer 10

a body of people with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority

Question 11

four things that make a state

Answer 11

1. population
2. territory
3. sovereignty (power within your territory)
4. government

Question 12

politics

Answer 12

process by which a society decides how power and recources will be distributed within that society

Question 13

four theories as to how a state came to be

Answer 13

1. the force theory
2. the evolurionary theory
3. the divine right theory
4. the social contract theory

Question 14

three classifications a government is classified by

Answer 14

1. who can participate in the governing process
2. the geographic distribution of governmental power within the state
3. the replationship between the legislative and the executive branches

Question 15

direct democracy

Answer 15

(pure democracy) when the will of the people translates directly into public policy. only works on a small local level.

Question 16

indirect democracy

Answer 16

(representatice democracy) group of people chosen by the people to express the will of the people

Question 17

autocracy

Answer 17

a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power

Question 18

oligarchy

Answer 18

a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self appointed elite (privileged class)

Question 19

unitary government

Answer 19

a centralized government. all powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency. Ex. Great Britain

Question 20

federal government

Answer 20

the national government and the states are co-equal partners. powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. Ex: United States

Question 21

confederation

Answer 21

an alliance of independent states

Question 22

presidental government

Answer 22

features a seperation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches of the government

Question 23

parliamentary government

Answer 23

executive branch is made up of the prime minister and that official’s cabinet. the prime minister is the leader of the majority party

Question 24

five basic concepts of a democracy

Answer 24

1. recognition of the fundamental worth and DIGNITY of every person
2. respect for the EQUALITY of all persons
3. faith in MAJORITY RULE
4. acceptance of the necessity of COMPROMISE
5. insistance upon the widest possible degree of individual FREEDOM

Question 25

free enterprise system

Answer 25

economic system

Question 26

duties of a citizen

Answer 26

• serving on a jury
• serving as a witness when called
• attending school
• paying taxes
• registering for the draft
• obeying laws
• respecting the rights of others

Question 27

responsibilities of a citizen

Answer 27

• voting
• volunteering
• participating in civic life
• understanding the workings of our government