Government Flashcards
(17 cards)
What characteristics are unique to government?
Authority → right and power to enforce its decisions; Can enforce decisions w/ a lot of power (jail, execution)
Legitimacy → level of support for the enforcement of gov’s authority (recognize the system)
–>Diffuse support (high levels) – legitimate
Concentrated support (low) illegitimate
What are the 2 main central goals for government?
Security and overcoming collective action problems (free riders)
Monarchy
individual representative of a royal family as a decision maker for all of society.
Totalitarianism
a small group of leaders or one specific individual (known as dictator) makes all political decisions for society.
Authoritarianism
similar to totalitarianism the exception being that the leader one has control over government and not social and economic life.
Aristocracy
generally meant rule by leading members of wealthy families, and have closely approximated monarchies
Democracy
Only system that prioritizes the rule of many over the rule of the few
What is a direct democracy?
All citizens vote directly
What is a republic?
A democratic republic retains the ultimate power over the government with the people, but all policy decisions are made by elected officials
Articles of Confederation
National government lacked independent power, power was granted by the states.
Lack of military, taxes, coin money
What was the VA plan?
Supported by federalists Supported strong government Total departure from AOC Wanted bicameral legilsature system of federal courts
What was the NJ plan?
Anti Federalists; supprted states rights over government more consisten with AOC Unicameral legislature Multi person executive committee One supreme court
What were some of the decisions reached after the convention?
Bicameral Legislature, Senate represents equally (6 years), Single executive, supreme court, house of reps elected proportionally
What is Article I in the constitution?
Legislature- symbolically most important
list of legislative rules and powers
says congress can establish military, tax, etc
What are enumerated powers?
powers specifically listed as given to congress
What are implied powers?
powers of congress implied by consitution (power to make all laws which shall be necessary and possible)
Reserved powers
powers reserved to the states
