Unit 1 - American Gov't Flashcards
Unitary System
A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government
Federal system
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and the state or provincial governments
Socialism
And economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as healthcare and welfare
Communism
An economic system in which the central government directs all major economic decisions
Politics
The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government
Social contract
Theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state, in turn, agrees to protect it’s citizens
- An agreement in society to work together
- Must give up some right
- Cannot punish someone who has wronged you parentheses government/society will)
Nation
Group of people united by bonds of race, language, customs, tradition, and, sometimes, religion
Inherent powers
Powers that the national government may exercise simply because it is a government
- Power that a government has because it is a sovereign government
State
A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority
Expressed powers
Powers directly stated in the Constitution
- A.k.a. enumerated powers and delegated powers
Industrialized nation
A nation with large industries and advanced technology that provides a more comfortable way of life than developing nations
Separation of powers
The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
- Powers that each branch has that makes it unique (division of powers between three branches of government)
Nation-state
A country and which the territory of both the nation and the state coincide
Checks and balances
The system where each branch of government exercises some control over the others
- Powers that each branch has to prevent other branches of government from becoming too powerful
- ex: veto, impeach, unconst.
Popular sovereignty
Rule by the people
- The right of the people decide what the government is going to do two voting
- vote on… Levy’s, gambling, legalization of marijuana, morning Dove
Limited government
A system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute
- The government should not become too powerful over the people
Capitalism
An economic system providing free choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises
Implied powers
Powers that the government has to carry out the expressed powers
- ex: Air Force, draft
- Article 1, section 8, clause 18–> Necessary and proper clause
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
- Division of power between the state and federal government
Reserved powers
Powers that belong strictly to the states
- ex: Marriage
- 10th Amendment any power not listed in the constitution are states rights
Concurrent powers
Powers that both the national government and the states have
-Taxes, education, enforce laws
Interstate compact
A written agreement between two or more states
Ex: New Jersey and New York created the port of New York Authority in 1921 to develop and manage harbor facilities in the area
State of nature
Survival of the fittest
States’ rights position
A position that favors states and local action in dealing with problems