Understanding Government: Systems, Levels, and Branches

Vocabulary flashcards covering the systems, levels, and branches of government based on lecture notes.

Government

A system that makes, enforces, and interprets rules and laws for a community, state, or country.

Sovereignty

The authority of a government to govern itself.

Confederation System

A system where states have most of the power and the central government has limited power.

Federal System

A system where power is shared between national and state governments.

Central Government

The main government that has authority over the entire country.

State Government

A level of government that makes and enforces laws for 1 state.

Local Government

A level of government that serves a smaller community such as a city, town, or county.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws.

Congress

The body within the legislative branch composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that carries out and enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government that interprets laws and decides how they get applied to legal cases.