US government unit one Flashcards | Quizlet
 
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US government unit one

Terms in this set (46)

what is government
Formal institution that is a process through which people decide what decisions happen to groups of people
what are the three main component of government
people, power, and policies
people
Elected officials who have authority over people, and public servant who do day to day work, such as DMV employees
power
The government's authority and ability to accomplish tasks (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
polices
Any decision made by the government in reach of a goal
what is a state
political group that has the authority to make and enforce laws over a group of people in a designated area
what are the characteristics of a state
population, territory, government, and sovereignty
population
The amount of people that inhabited the territory
territory
The land within the state's borders
government
The political group that makes and enforces the laws for the people living in the territory, must be recognized by it's people and the international community
sovereignty
A supreme power that deals with external affairs within their territory, it is completely independent
Ensure National Security
Each year about 600 billion dollars is spent on our national security which helps protect the territory from threatening state and terrorist
Military, Diplomacy
Maintain Order
Laws are put in place to strictly say what is unacceptable behavior and it is not tolerated in that territory, also what is acceptable as a punishment for breaking these laws. Such as the death penalty which is legal in 36 states as a punshiment for murder
Laws
Police
Resolve Conflict
The ability to resolves conflict often correlates with the ability to maintain order in the territory, Politics is a main way of keeping order, this is the way the government makes and carries out decisions
Politics
The judicial system
Provide Services
This is the government's responsibility to provide services for everyone such as clean roads, parks, and roads
Provide for the Public Good
Government's job to meet the needs and interest of the people
What are the theories of rule
divine right, natural law and natural rights, social contract
divine right
The believe that the rulers of nations were chosen by God or the Gods
natural law or natural right
A system derived from the natural world used to provide just and rational order to all things in the world, also believed since it comes from the world that it must come from God as well
"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"
social contract
An idea that the first government was formed from a group of people that were in agreement about the same ideas
You give up some of your rights in order to live in a safe and orderly society
monarchy
-One person rules
-Born into being ruler
- supreme authority
-united kingdom
constitutional monarchy
-Power is limited by law
-May coexist with other forms of government
- Sweden
dictatorship
-Single ruler or small group hold all authority
-cuba
direct democracy
-Government by the people
-Citizens discuss and pass laws also decide on leaders
-ancient Rome
republic
-Citizen are ultimate powers of the government
-united states
theocracy
-Rulers claim set by a set of religious laws
-iran
unitary system
sovereignty or ultimate authority rest in a single national government
Local governments exist but national governments are the main authority in people's lives
federal system
government divides power over people and territory between between a national government and smaller regional level governments
National government's= expressed powers in constitution
States governments= reserved powers ( all other powers is in the hands of the states)
confederal system
independent states join together by forming a central government
States have the ultimate authority
US under articles of confederation, CSA
major characteristics of a presidential system
One person in charge, Appointed cabinet members, Power is balanced by Legislators
strengths of a presidential system
Setting foreign policy, Initiation domestic legislation
weaknesses of a presidential system
Opposing political views, Takes a while to pass laws
major characteristics of the parliamentary system
The executive branch and legislative branch are combined, Have a Prime Minister
strengths of a parliamentary system
Easier to pass laws
weaknesses of a parliamentary system
If not supported by party the Prime Minister must step down
liberty
State of being free from society's rule
Freedom to exercise rights guaranteed in the constitutions ( as long as the choices don't harm others)
equality
Fair and equal opportunities in all aspects of life
self government
Wanting to rule yourself as a political equal
People are the ultimate source of the government
worth of and individual
The high valve of freedom, personal responsibility, and self reliance
rule of law
Invented so government officials recognize and enforce their power
majority rule
How things get decided, based off what has the majority of votes
minority rights
Political rights held by groups whom make up less than half of the population
compromise
When to opposing groups come in agreement on a topic
citizen participation
Citizen must be informed of public issues and who is running for office
what is a free enterprise economy
where people and privately owned businesses make the decisions
why would the government interfer with free enterprise economy
Because they are trying to resolve problems created by the free market such as pollution, exploitation of workers, ect.
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