Unit 1 Flashcards
Politics
the process of gaining and exercising control
within a government for the purpose of setting and achieving particular goals, especially those related to
the division of resources within a nation
Direct democracy
no representatives, citizens are directly involved
Capitalism
an economic/political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit
Free enterprise system
an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods (investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control, and determined in a free market)
Federalists
people who supported the ratification of the constitution in 1787-1788.
people who believe in the type of political system in which states or territories share control with a strong central government
Anti Federalists
people who opposed the ratification of the constitution in 1787-1788. Did not want a strong central government
Virginia Plan
outlined a strong government with three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Wanted representation in house to be based on states population/amount of money
New Jersey Plan
proposed a single-chamber congress in which each state had one vote (a unicameral legislature) with equal votes of states and an executive elected by a national legislature
Branches: legislative/executive and judicial
Stamp Act Congress
a meeting of delegates from nine American colonies who met to discuss the rights of the colonists regarding British taxation such as the Stamp Act
Indirect (AKA Representative) Democracy
citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government
Pros of indirect democracy
Citizens hold ultimate power. All people represented.
Cons of indirect democracy
Laws may make citizens unhappy. Possible conflict.
Albany Plan of Union
Ben’s Franklin’s rejected plan to to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies at the Albany Congress
Federalism
a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central, or national, government and several regional governments
First Continental Congress
a meeting by the colonies in response to the intolerable acts that the British had enforced
Dictatorship
one leader has absolute control over citizens
Examples of dictatorship
Nazi Germany, Soviet Union
Autocracy
one person has all power
Examples of autocracy
Napoleon Bonaparte
Pros and cons of dictatorship
Pros: stability, know who’s in charge, fast decisions
Cons: no freedom for citizens, no elections, force
Pros and cons of autocracy
Pros: maintains productiveness, fast decisions and easy to see who has power
Cons: less independence, basically a dictatorship, could lead to corruption
Monarchy
a king or queen rules the country
Example of monarchy
Great Britain
Pros and cons of monarchy
Pros: unity, decisions made quickly
Cons: less representation, predictable, next in line rules
Oligarchy
a small group of people has all the power
Example of oligarchy
Russia
Pros and cons of oligarchy
Pros: order in politics. Less corruption.
Cons: only a few people are ruling. Less power.
Theocracy
a government that recognizes God or a divine being
Example of theocracy
Afghanistan
Pros and cons of theocracy
Pros: it can settle disputes, same ideas/beliefs
Cons: places must be heavily religious, same religion won’t work
Junta
military holds power
Example of junta
Greece (history)
Pros and cons of junta
Pros: less political arguments
Cons: compliance by force
Anarchy
nobody is in control
Example of anarchy
Protests
Pros and cons of anarchy
Pros: every man for himself, unlimited freedom, no political conflict, freedom
Cons: it could be chaotic or out of control. No laws.
Democracy
citizens hold political power
Example of democracy
United States
Pros and cons of democracy
Pros: citizens have and freedom
Cons: possible corruption
Direct Democracy
No representatives, citizens are directly involved
Example of direct democracy
Athens
Pros and cons of direct democracy
Pros: citizens have a huge say, everyone is involved
Cons: modern countries are too large for it to work, more conflict
Indirect/Representative Democracy
citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government
Example of Indirect/Representative Democracy
United States
Pros and cons of Indirect/Representative Democracy
Pros: citizens hold ultimate power, all people represented
Cons: laws make citizens unhappy, possible conflict
Social Contract
people give up some freedoms, government agrees to protect rights
Divine Right
chosen by God
Evolutionary
families gaining more power over time
Force
government originates with a stronger group either using force or threatening it against those who are weaker (I’m bigger, stronger, it’s mine)
Population
the people within the state
Territory
land with defined borders
Government
structure/organization
Sovereignty
There is authority
What does the the O in OPCVL stand for?
Origin (type of document, what do we know about it, who produced it)
What does the P in OPCVL stand for?
Purpose (intended audience, what was it written for)
What does the C in OPCVL stand for?
Content (what does is say, evidence given, language used/word choice)
What does the V in OPCVL stand for?
Value (importance, value, time period)
What does the L in OPCVL stand for?
Limitations (questions, what’s missing, what’s left out)
What is the main idea of the Declaration of Independence? What is the essential purpose of the government according to the Declaration of Independence?
To protect the rights of the individual, which includes the right of life, liberty and happiness. Government’s purpose is to ensure rights are guaranteed and protected, including the right to be free
What were the flaws of the Articles of Confederation? How did the states interact under the Articles?
Congress could not tax, each state only had one vote regardless of population 9/13 state vote was needed to pass laws, articles amended only if unanimously agreed on. The states interacted independently and frequently refuted supporting central government
Why did the First and Second Continental Congresses Convene? Were they successful?
They convened to oppose taxation without representation and other policies.
First: Sent a Declaration of rights to king George, but didn’t have power to tax
Second: Established army, Declaration of independence
Duty
an obligation that one has to fulfill, sacrificing self interest
Responsibility
the act of accepting and acting on a task that has been assigned, one’s own will, without supervision
How did the Great/Connecticut Compromise settle the dispute over representation and created our current legislature?
It established a bicameral legislature.
House of Senate: declared each state, regardless of size, would have an equal vote
House of Representatives: amount of representatives based on population
