Unit 1: Purpose/Types of Government Flashcards
What are the purposes of government?
hint: (5)
- Providing leadership- (Presidential speech, State address)
- Maintaining order- (Police, National guard)
- Providing national security- (TSA, Borders)
- Economic security- (The Federal Reserve, Banks)
- Public services- (Education, Construction)
Unitary system
One central government that tells states what to do
Confederation
States have power but delegate to small central government
Federal system (Goldilocks system)
States and national government share power (U.S.A has this form)
Totalitarianism
Government controls essentially everything
Authoritarianism
Government holds strong powers but some limitations
Constitutionalism (U.S.A operates under)
Government that is structured by law but power is limited
Dictatorship
Power is in the hands of one person who has total control (ie: Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin)
Oligarchy
Small group holds power
Monarchy
King, Queen, Emperor exercises supreme powers of government
Anarchy
State without government or laws
Theocracy
Ruled by divine power
Direct democracy
Everyone votes on every issue
Indirect democracy
Citizens vote fore representatives to make decisions (U.S.A has)
What are the principles of democracy?
hint: (14)
- Citizen participation
- Regular and free elections
- Accepting election results
- Rule of law (No one is above)
- Majority rule with minority rights (Majority wins but has to have fair laws)
- Accountability
- Transparency
- Limited government and a Bill of Rights
- Control of the abuse of power
- Economic freedom
- Equality
- Human rights
- Independent judiciary
- Competing political parties
