Chapter 1 - Foundations of Government Flashcards

1
Q

The formal structures and institutions through which a territory and its people are ruled.

A

Government

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2
Q

The government’s authority and ability to get things done.

A

Power

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3
Q

Any decision made by government in pursuit of a particular goal.

A

Policy

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4
Q

A political unit made up by a group of people that lives within a clearly defined territory.

A

State

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5
Q

Ultimate, supreme power in a state; in the United States, it rests with the people.

A

Sovereignty

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6
Q

The process by which government makes ad carries out decisions.

A

Politics

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7
Q

Not limited by restriction.

A

Absolute

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8
Q

Right and proper.

A

Legitimacy

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9
Q

The theory that a monarch rules by sanction, or approval, of God.

A

Divine Right of Kings

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10
Q

A system of rules/laws/rights derived from a natural world (we are given them by birth, being here).

A

Natural Law / Rights

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11
Q

A theory of society in which government is a contract between a government and the governed to provide protection and support for the people; under this, a government is legitimate so long as the people voluntarily agree to hand over their power to the state.

A

Social Contract Theory

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12
Q

A form of government in which political power is exercised by a single ruler, such as a king or queen, who exercises absolute authority under the claim of divine / hereditary right.

A

Monarchy

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13
Q

A form of authoritarian government in which the government is ruled by religious leaders.

A

Theocracy

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14
Q

The leader / King / Queen of a government has unlimited power.

A

Absolute Monarchy

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15
Q

The leader / King / Queen has limited power, they are figureheads - limited by law. (UK)

A

Constitutional Monarchy

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16
Q

An indirect form of democracy in which people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

A

Republic / Direct Democracy

17
Q

A form of government in which citizens met regularly in a popular assembly to discuss issues of the day, pass laws, and vote for leaders. (Athens, Switzerland)

A

Direct Democracy

18
Q

“Rule by the people”

A

Democracy

19
Q

A system of rule in which one person, a dictator, or a small group of people can hold unlimited power over government, which is usually controlled by force.

A

Dictatorship

20
Q

“Rule by one person” (Cuba)

A

Autocracy

21
Q

Rule by a few short groups of people, usually member of the military or the economic elite. (Sparta)

A

Oligarchy

22
Q

A form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life. (China, North Korea)

A

Totalitarian

23
Q

A form of government in which all authority is vested in a central government from which regional and local governments derive their powers. (UK)

A

Unitary System

24
Q

An alliance of independent states manifesting a degree of national unity through a central government of united powers (e.g. the United States under the Articles of Confederation)

A

Confederal System

25
Q

A form of political organization in which power is divided among a central government and territorial subdivisions; in the US power is shared among the national, state, and local governments.

A

Federal System

26
Q

A form of government headed by a president who is elected by the people for a limited term of office and whose powers are balanced by an elected legislature. (US)

A

Presidential System

27
Q

A for of government in which the chief executive is the leader whose party holds the most seats in the legislature after an election or whos party forms a major part of the ruling coalition.

A

Parliamentary System

28
Q

Conception of something in its most perfect form.

A

Ideal

29
Q

The ability of people to act and think as they choose, so long as their choices do not harm to the liberty or well being of others.

A

Liberty

30
Q

The principle that all people posses a fundamental, moral worth that entitles them to fair treatment under the law and equal opportunity in all aspects of life - political, social, and economic.

A

Equality

31
Q

The belief that ordinary people could aspire to rule themselves and do so as political equals.

A

Self-government

32
Q

A basic principle of democracy that decisions are made by a majority, by getting more than half the votes cast.

A

Majority rule

33
Q

The political rights held by groups that make up less than half the population.

A

Minority rights

34
Q

A form of democracy that protects the rights of the minority.

A

Liberal Democracy

35
Q

An economic system in which individuals and businesses are free to engage in economic activity with a minimum of government interference.

A

Free enterprise