GOV LEAP Review

Government

the group or organization that makes decisions on behalf of the people in a political unit, such as a country, state, or city

governanace

the act of overseeing and directing the resources, actions, and responsibilities of a group or place

Hobbes

English materialist and political philosopher who advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings (1588-1679)

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.

Rousseau

(1712-1778) Believed that society threatened natural rights and freedoms. Wrote about society's corruption caused by the revival of sciences and art instead of it's improvement. Wrote "The Social Contract."

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755)

Democracy

a government in which people hold power

Direct Democracy

a government in which citizens vote directly on the issues that effect them

representative democarcy

a form of democracy in which people elect representatives instead of voting directly on laws

autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

unitary system

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

federal system

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

Confederate System

A system of government with a very weak central government and strong states.

Bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Unicameral

One-house legislature

Capitalism

an economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Socialism

a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

Communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.

mixed economy

An economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion.

popular sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

rule of law

The concept that no one is above the law and that every individual is subject to the law, ensuring fairness and accountability within the legal system.

separation of powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. This principle safeguards against the concentration of power.

natural rights

Fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, such as life, liberty, and property, which cannot be surrendered or transferred.

checks and balances

A system that ensures no single branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with measures to limit the powers of the others.

magna carta

A charter agreed to in 1215 that limited the powers of the king and laid the foundation for the principle of the rule of law and the protection of individual rights.

mayflower compact

An agreement made in 1620 by Pilgrims establishing self-governance in the New World. It set out guidelines for creating a government and was one of the first democratic documents in America.

english bill of rights

A document passed in 1689 that limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament, establishing the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and individual rights in England.

great awakening

A religious revival in the 18th century that emphasized personal faith and emotional experience, leading to increased church attendance and the growth of new denominations in America.

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted in 1776 that announced the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule. It highlighted the principles of individual rights and government by consent of the governed.