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Am. Gov't. - Unit 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Government | The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies |
| Public Policy | All of the things a government decides to do in response to a political issue |
| Legislative Power | the power to make laws |
| Executive Power | the power to enforce (execute or carry out) laws |
| Judicial Power | the power to interpret laws and settle disputes that arise within the society |
| State | A body of people living in a defined territory, which is organized politically (with a government), and has the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority |
| Sovereign | The power to govern (rule) self without interference from other countries and can decide its own foreign and domestic policies |
| Autocracy | A form of government in which the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single ruler who has total control |
| Dictatorship | A form of government in which a single person becomes the ruler through fear or force and then has total control over the people of their state |
| Monarchy | A system of government in which one person reigns, usually a king or queen. The authority, or crown, in a monarchy is generally inherited. The ruler, or monarch, is often only the head of state, not the head of government |
| Oligarchy | A form of government in which a small (self-chosen) group holds power |
| Unitary Government | National (aka federal or central) government has most of the power; state and local governments are weak |
| Federal Government | Power is shared or divided between the national and state/local governments |
| Confederate Government | State governments have most of the power; national government is weak |
| Democracy | A form of government in which supreme political authority rests with the people. In other words, the people hold the sovereign power - government is conducted only by and with the consent of the people |
| Parliamentary Government | A system of government in which the legislature (not the people) elects the government leader, so there is no separation of powers between executive and legislative branches - Leader is a member of both branches |
| Presidential Government | A system of gov’t in which the voters elect the legislature and the President, so there is a separation of powers between the branches; President is a member of the executive branch only |
| Majority Rule | The principle that the greater number should exercise greater power |
| Minority Rights | Individual and collective rights that people belonging to national minority groups are entitled to enjoy |
| Compromise | Settling a conflict by mutual agreement, which is vital to a successful democracy |
| Equality | The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities |
| Force Theory | Belief that the state was created by force (usually war). A person or group claimed control over land. The people were then forced to submit to the rule of (obey) this person/group. |
| Evolutionary Theory | Belief that the state developed naturally over time, starting with the early family, which evolved into a clan, then into a tribe that settled on the land permanently |
| Divine Right of Kings Theory | Belief that God created the state and gave those who were born into royalty (like a king, queen, or czar) the “divine right” to rule. The people were bound to obey their king as they would God; to not do so would be a sin |
| Social Contract Theory | Belief that people agreed to give up some rights and freedoms to the government in exchange for protection in order to maintain peace and order. However, if the government fails, then the people have the right to get rid of it and create a new one |
| Absolute Monarchy | Ruler is born into their position (King/Queen/Czar) and has complete, unlimited power |
| Constitutional Monarchy | A form of government in which the King or Queen shares their power with elected legislature (powers are limited) |
| Theocracy | Government is ruled by religious leaders and is based on religious law; no separation of church and state--religion IS the law |
| Direct Democracy | A form of government in which all people have equal power in decision-making and matters of government (vote on all laws directly) |
| Representative Democracy | Citizens elect people to represent them in government |
| Anarchy | A country that has no government |
Created by:
tmgilbert
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