American gov Flashcards
(23 cards)
State & examples
A political community that occupies a define territory and has an organized government that enforces laws. (ex. United States of America, Mexico)
(state) Population
most Americans have a consensus or common understanding of the principle of democracy
(state) Territory
Established boundaries
Sovereignty
The state (or country) has supreme & absolute authority within its territorial boundaries. (Popular sovereignty- Political power comes from the people)
Government
Institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people living in the state.
Nation
A sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds (ex.. race, language, custom, religion, tradition)
Nation-State
Country in which the territory of both the nation and the state coincede
Force theory
Gov is created through strength and power (way to remember: Force their was to the top through their power.)
Evolutionary theory
Gov originated from the heirarchy of the family (royal family)
Divine Right theory
Monarchs (chosen by god) ruled because they were ordained by God.
Social contract theory
People give up some of their freedoms for stability in government.
Hobbes philosophy- nature of man
People cannot be trusted and need the government because man/ people are violent and dangerous
Lockes philosophy- nature of man
People can be trusted
Lockes social contract theory
People give up some of their rights so their Life, liberty, and property can be protected. If the government doesn’t follow the Social contract Theory, the people can overthrow the government to make a fair one.
3 unalienable rights
Life, Liberty, Property
Purposes of government
Maintain social order, Provide public services, provide national security, provide for & control economic system
Systems of government
Unitary; gov power is held by the national gov; ex: China
Confederate; A loose union of independent states; ex; Early US (13 colonies)
Federal; Divides gov between national and state governments; ex: Current USA under the Constitution
Constitution
“living document” that provides rules for government
Constitutional government
Refers to a government in thich a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern (must have limited powers and a constitution)
Autocracy
A single person with all power
Monarch- King, queen; unlimited power, usually inherited, people lack power; Ex: King of Saudi Arabia
Oligarchy
A small group of people hold all the power within the gov: Ex: Communist countries: China
Democracy
The people rule
Direct: When people run the gov by themselves; Ex: town hall meetings
Representative: When people elect officials to represent them; Ex: current US gov
Lawful ways Americans can participate in Democratic system
Voting
Protesting.
