Chapter 1- Principles Of Government Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is Government?
The institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies
What are public policies?
All those things a government decides to do
What is Governments purpose/role?
Ancient Greeks- “to improve the lives of its citizens”
Dec of Ind says “to protect the rights of its citizens “unalienable rights (life liberty and the pursuit of happiness)
Where does the governments power come from?
God
Force
People
Is government good/bad or even necessary
YES YES AND YES
What are the 5 forms of government?
Anarchy- no government
Dictatorship/Monarchy- power rests with one person/state- rule not responsible to the will of the people
Oligarchy- rule by a small group or a few
Democracy- rule by the people majority
Republic- rule by the law
What three types of power is the government given? And who are they granted by?
Legislative power- make law-Congress
Executive power- enforce law-President
Judicial power- interpret law-Supreme Court
These powers are granted to the government by the nations
Constitution-fundamental laws est principles of government
Who is the dominant political unit of the world?
The State
What is the state commonly referred to as?
A country or a nation
What are the four characteristics of a State?
Population- people
Territory/border- land
Sovereignty-supreme power
Central government- politically organized
What are the four theories of how the state came to be?
Force Theory- state was born out of force
Evolutionary Theory- state came out of the family stages of development 1.Family 2.Clan 3.Tribe=state
Divine Right Theory- God have a certain group the right to rule
Social Contract Theory- Free people have the state ad much power as needed to promote the safety and well-being of all
What is the Purpose of Government? (6)
Form a more perfect union-strength in union
Establish justice- the law must be reasonable fair and impartial
Insure domestic tranquility- provide law and order at home
Provide for common defense- defends against foreign enemies
Promote the general welfare- provides services such as EPA FDA Post office Public schools, etc
Secure the blessings of liberty-guarantees freedom for the individual
*No two governments are or have been exactly alike
What is a democracy? And what are the two types?
All can participate
Direct- themselves
Indirect- through their representatives
What is a Dictatorship? And what are the two types?
One person or a small group can participate
Autocracy- single person holds power
Oligarchy- ruled by a small group
*
All dictatorships are___________
Some are______________
All dictatorships are authoritarian- the state has all
Political power
Some dictatorships are totalitarian- the state has total power over every aspect of the people life
Recite the Preamble to the Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
What is the constitution?
Fundamental laws that establish principles of government
What is unitary Government?
Power lies in the hands of a single central agency
Example Great Britain
Federal Government?
Power is shared equally by the central government and the local agencies
Example USA
Confederate Government?
Power is given to the local agencies only
Examples Confederate States of America/Articles of Confederation
What is the Presidential relationship between legislative and executive branches?
Leg/exec branches are independent and co equal
What is the Parliamentarian relationship between the legislative and the executive branches?
Executive (prime minister) is chosen and controlled by the legislative branch
What are the four basic notions of the American concept of democracy?
- Equality of all Persons- equality of opportunity and equality before the law
- Worth of the Individual- we are separate and distinct beings
- Majority Rule, Minority Rights- the minority can become the majority, the minority has rights
- Necessity of Compromise-there are two sides to everything
- Individual Freedom- we have rights but they are not complete
Who is a citizen?
One who holds certain rights and responsibilities within a state
