Types of Government Flashcards
Democracy
Any form of government in which POLITICAL POWER is exercised by all CITIZENS, either directly or through their elected representatives.
Autocracy
A form of government in which political POWER is controlled by ONE individual such as a monarch, dictator, emperor, etc.
Oligarchy
Rule by FEW
Anarchy
NO GOVERNMENT at all
Monarchy
Rule by KINGS, QUEENS, PRINCES and PRINCESSES
Leaders usually gain their power because their parents were rulers too.
A monarchy is A FORM OF an AUTOCRACY
Dictatorship
POWER is held by one individual. POWER is acquired by FORCE
A dictatorship is a form of AUTOCRACY
Totalitarian
POWER is held by one individual
Form of government that prohibits all opposition parties
A totalitarian government is a form of AUTOCRACY
Theocracy
POWER is held by a GROUP of RELIGIOUS LEADERS
Theocracy is a form of OLIGARCHY
Direct Democracy
CITIZENS hold POWER in government DIRECTLY
Indirect Democracy/ Republic/ Representative
CITIZENS hold POWER in government through ELECTING REPRESENTATIVES
Constitutionalism/Rule of Law
A CONSTITUTION is a RULEBOOK for a country’s government.
Rule of Law means that LAWS ARE FAIR and NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW.
Preamble
START of the CONSTITUTION, explains the REASON for the CONSTITUTION.
Amendment
A CHANGE to the CONSTITUTION.
Bill of Rights
FIRST TEN AMENDMENTS to the Constitution.
Things like FREEDOM OF SPEECH, RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, FREEDOM OF RELIGION.
Popular Sovereignty
A GOVERNMENT’S POWER comes from the PEOPLE.
Limited Government
A GOVERNMENT only has POWER that’s GIVEN TO IT.
Separation of Power
SEPARATING GOVERNMENT into DIFFERENT BRANCHES.
Executive - The PRESIDENT
Legislative - WRITES LAWS
Judicial - DETERMINES IF LAWS ARE FAIR
Checks and Balances
POWER that EACH BRANCH has to STOP POWER of OTHER BRANCHES.
Judicial Review
JUDICIAL BRANCH reviewing the CONSTITUTION to make sure LAWS ARE CONSTITUTIONAL.
Federalism
Allows the US to have FEDERAL and STATE governments.
Baron de Montesquieu
CREATOR of SEPARATION OF POWER.
Executive Branch
The PRESIDENT, they PASS LAWS
Legislative Branch
CONGRESS, they WRITE LAWS
Judicial Branch
SUPREME COURT, they DETERMINE IF LAWS ARE FAIR and CONSTITUTIONAL
Congress (SENATE and HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES)
Part of the LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, they WRITE LAWS
Ratify/Veto
POWERS of the PRESIDENT
RATIFY is to PASS A LAW
VETO is to DENY PASSING A LAW
Freedom
LEGAL RIGHT TO DO SOMETHING
Security
GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE THIS
Principle
BASIC LAWS OF A GOVERNMENT
Tyranny
CRUEL GOVERNMENT, CITIZENS HAVE NO POWER
Consent
GIVING PERMISSION TO DO SOMETHING
Liberty
THE STATE OF BEING FREE
Justify
PROVE SOMETHING TO BE RIGHT
Aristocracy
Government LED by NOBLES or ARISTOCRATS
Aristocracy is a form of OLIGARCHY
Regime
AUTHORITARIAN GOVERNMENT, like a DICTATORSHIP
Ideals
BASIC BELIEFS OF A GOVERNMENT
Representative
SOMEONE WHO ENFORCES WILL OF THE CITIZENS
Revolution
FIGHTING BACK AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
