Government Flashcards
Democracy
The “we, the people type”. It’s government run by the people, meaning majority rules.
The US is representative democracies: You elect people, or representative to vote on issues for you.
Monarchy
A single ruler has all the authority, and it’s usually hereditary. Most monarchies that exist today are constitutional monarchies where the monarch can be considered a figurehead (like the UK). Then there are absolute monarchies, where the royals are also the heads of gov (like Saudi Arabia and Brunei).
Communism
All property and means of production are owned collectively. The aim? To create a classless society where everyone is truly equal. The result? Often mass poverty, in part because there are fewer incentives to succeed. It’s the opposite of capitalism. China, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, and Cuba are the last communist countries standing.
Socialism
The “communism, but make it less intense” type. Like communism, it’s all about equality. Except socialists believe that workers can earn wages and spend that money however they choose, and the means of production are owned by government and shared by the people.
Democratic socialism
It embraces a lot of basic socialist principles but also supports democratic ideals, like freedom of speech and free and fair elections.
Populism
The “power to the people” type. It’s a political movement all about returning power to the people. These movements tend to be antiestablishment and full of working-class voters trying to take back control from the out-of-touch elites. This one’s been cropping up a lot in recent years.
Oligarchy
The “you can’t sit with us” type. It’s when a small group of people has control over everything. South Africa under apartheid was an example of an oligarchy.
What are the bill of rights?
Ten amendments added to the Constitution to protect individual liberties and rights from government interference.
What are Civil Liberties?
The rights of citizens to be free from undue government interference in their lives, including those rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and those established by long legal precedent (such as the right to marry or travel freely)
What are Civil Rights?
The rights of citizens to be free of unequal or discriminatory treatment on the basis of race, gender, or membership in a particular demographic group.
What are individual liberties?
Constitutionally-established rights and freedoms protected by law from interference by the government.
