Test 1 Flashcards
The four characteristics of a state
People, clearly defined borders, government, sovereignty
Rules for New Zealand no rules playground
No killing, don’t say no to kids, don’t coddle kids
The five functions of government
Ensure national security, maintain order, resolve conflict, provide services, provide for the public good
Eminent domain
Balance public and individual desires
Monarchy
A form of government in which political power is exercised by a single ruler, such as a king or a queen, who exercises absolute authority under the claim of divine or hereditary right
Dictatorship
A system of rule in which one person, a dictator, or small group of people can hold unlimited power over government, which is usually controlled by force
Oligarchy
Rule by a few small groups of people, usually by members of the military or the economic elite
Direct democracy
A form of government in which citizens met regularly in a popular assembly to discuss issues of the day, pass laws, and vote for leaders
Republic
An indirect for of democracy in which people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
Unitary system
A form of government in which all authority is vested in a central government from which regional and local governments derive their powers
Federal system
A form of political organization in which power is divided among a central government and territorial subdivisions; in the United States power is shared among the national, state, and local governments
Confederal system
An alliance of independent states manifesting a degree of national unity through a central government of united powers
Presidential system
A from of government headed by a president who is elected by the people for a limited term of office and whose powers are balanced by an elected legislature
Parliamentary system
A form of government in which the chief executive is the leader whose party holds the most seats in the legislature after an election or whose party forms a major part of the ruling coalition
Government
Formal institutions and processes that make decisions for a group of people
What three things are governments made up of
Elected people, policies, powers
Process
How something gets done
People
Postal services, judges
Powers
The ability and the authority to get things done
Three main powers
Legislative that make laws, executive that enforce laws, and judicial that interpret laws
Policies
Anything the government does in pursuit of a goal, anything involving the military
Constitutional monarchy
A form of government in which royalty is restricted by the government, an example being the Queen of England
Totalitarianism
A form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life
Totalitarian country
North Korea
