(Unit 1) Chapter 1 - People and Government Flashcards
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
nation
A group of people who share the same race, language, customs, and, sometimes, religion
nation-state
A country in which the territory of both the nation and the state coincide
consensus
An agreement about basic beliefs
sovereignty
The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries
government
The institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens
social contract
The theory that people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order, and the state, in turn, agrees to protects its citizens
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 state or provincial governments
confederacy
A loose union of independent states
constitution
A plan that provides the rules for government
constitutional government
A government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limited on the power of those who govern
preamble
A statement in the constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes of government
constitutional law
Law that involves the interpretation and application of the U.S. Constitution and state constitutions
politics
The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government
