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Intro - U.S. Govt
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| civil liberties | the freedom of citizens to exercise rights such as of speech or religion with minimal interference by the government |
| civil rights | the personal rights of a citizen to be treated fairly under the law |
| constitutional democracy | a system of government in which the structure is set out in a written constitution and decisions and laws are made by popular vote |
| guarantee | to promise and deliver a future result |
| policy | a plan of action taken by a government to achieve a goal |
| Why governments exist? | Different people with different interests and orientations |
| Purposes of government? | 1. Create & enforce laws 2. Provide leadership, protection, and services |
| Autocracy | A government where one rules all or few Ex: Dictatorship and monarchy |
| Democracy | a government ruled by its citizens |
| federal | a system that divides power between a national government and state governments |
| monarchy | a government ruled by a person who has inherited that authority |
| oligarchy | a government ruled by a small, elite group |
| theocracy | a government ruled by religious authorities Ex: Iran |
| Confederal System | Power distributed among units. 1. Each unit functions independently 2. Work together to meet mutual needs 3. Little central authority Ex: ancient Greek |
| Unitary System | Everything comes from central government |
| Dictatorship | 1. One leader holds all power 2. Typically gain power through force 3. When in power, use propaganda to remain in public support |
| Communism | 1. Ruled by a political party 2. Government ownership or properties 3. Give control to party leaders Ex: China |
| Direct democracy | 1. All people take part in government decisions directly 2. Hard to obtain with large groups 3. Hard to use with complex government responsibilities Ex: Athens, ancient Greek |
| Representative democracy | People to choose leaders to make decisions Ex: United States |
| Parliamentary system | 1. Prime minister as chief executive & in charge of legislative house 2. Leader of party with most seats becomes PM 3. PM can greatly influence government Ex: England/UK |
| Presidential system | 1. President as chief executive only 2. Citizens vote for president directly (except for... Electoral College) |
| Legislative Branch | Makes the law |
| Executive Branch | Carries out the law |
| Judicial Branch | Interpret the law |
| Civic Participation | 1. Voting 2. Influencing policy 3. Civic duties: paying taxes, defending the country... |
| Civic role in policy | 1. Stay informed about policies and their effects 2. Voice support/opposition to your representative's policy 3. Push for new policies |
| Magna Carta | Presented to King John in 1215: 1. Placed limits on the government The king must obey the rule of law; set principle of due process 2. Established rights for citizens 3. Establishment of a new branch of government |
| Rule of law | the idea that all people and organizations must follow the law |
| Due Process | a principle of law that states a citizen cannot be denied his or her legal rights |
| Rights | claims or privileges that belong to a citizen |
| Transfer | to pass from one to another |
| Magna Carta help established a new branch of government | The Parliament, an official legislative branch, establishing debate in governing |
| English Petition of Right (1628) | Reinforced the Magna Carta |
| The Glorious Revolution (1688) | 1. Peaceful transfer of power 2. Ended the idea of "divine right of kings" 3. Parliament offered leadership to new kings and queens 4. Parliament gained more power and influence |
| English Bill of Rights (1689) | 1. Limited power of monarchy Kings must follow the law; members of Parliament had free speech; Parliament had final words on taxes, military, and suspension of laws 2. Gave rights to citizens Trial by jury; bear arms; no cruel and unusual punishment |
| Commentaries on the Laws | Clarified common law 1. Listed rulings that interpreted the law 2. Explanation for past rulings |
| William Blackstone (1723 - 1780) | 1. Influential judge and legal scholar 2. Works that summarized and clarified English laws 3. Studied common law |
| Common Law | 1. Law determined through precedent Developed through rulings; past rulings shaped future laws and rulings 2. Judge can rely more on precedent; US had stronger foundation for legal system |
| natural rights | the basic rights to which all human beings are entitled |
| reason | the mental faculty of rational argument or deduction |
| secular | separate from any religious tradition |
| social contract | a theory that individuals give up rights and control in exchange for protection and participation |
| Enlightenment thinkers | Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Baron de Montesquieu |
| Enlightenment | Age of reason-based inquiry |
| Niccolo Machiavelli | Leading thinker, examined human nature outside of religious studies |
| Enlightenment approach | A secular approach, rejecting idea of "divine right" |
| Thomas Hobbes (1588 - 1679) | English philosopher and writer, wrote The Leviathan, believed people are naturally selfish and violent, life without government is "nasty, brutish, and short" Law limits natural liberty but people will assist one another instead of mutual destruct |
| John Locke (1632 - 1704) | English philosopher and writer, believed humans were naturally reasonable, continued developing idea of social contract (+ natural rights: life, liberty, property) Law to preserve and enlarge freedom |
| Baron de Montesquieu (1689 - 1755) | French philosopher, writings on government and society, Spirits of the Law 1. Separation of power 2. Checks and balances |
| authority | power to command and to enforce decisions |
| declaration | a forceful statement or announcement |
| self-government | freedom of people to govern themselves |
| unalienable | something that cannot be given or taken away |
| Thomas Paine's Common Sense (1776) | Question British monarchy After colonial militias fought British troops in Massachusetts Called for colonial independence |
| Second Continental Congress (1775) | Made Declaration of Independence from Britain Thomas Jefferson wrote Declaration Signed July 4, 1776 |
| Declaration of Independence | Introduction: Independence became a necessity Preamble: Colonists had natural rights and government is a social contract (Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness; Government's job is protect rights). Body: Colonial grievances Conclusion: Declare indep |
| Government's job | Protect right: Gain power through people's consent People reserve right to abolish false government |
| Confederation | a unified group of states or nations |
| sovereignty | the state of being autonomous or having authority over oneself |
| unicameral | having one legislative body or house |
Created by:
MinhBui
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