The Principles of Government

Government

The institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public policy, and enforces the law.

Public Policy

A plan of action on different issues that the government adopts. (Military, gun control, and education)

Divine Right of Kings

Idea that god or gods choose certain individuals to rule.

Social Contract Theory

Challenged Divine Right of Kings Theory, government is provided power but agrees to protect.

Government Systems

Unitary, Confederate, Federal, Autocracy, Oligarchy, Dictatorship, Democracy

Unitary

Power is held by a single centralized government, one central agency, and centralized governments make policy for state, provincial, local governments.

Federal System

Powers are divided between national and state governments and each level of government has limited sovereignty. (U.S, Canada, Australia)

Confederation

A loose union/alliance of independent states. Powers are decentralized and usually formed for national defense and trade. (European Union)

Autocracy

A system of government by one person who holds absolute power and led by military leaders. (Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, North Korea)

Monarchy

Another from of autocratic government. A king, queen, or emperor. Usually inherit their positions.

Absolute Monarchy

Have complete and unlimited power to rule their people. (Saudi Arabia)

Constitutional Monarchs

Share governmental powers with elected legislatures or serve as ceremonial leaders of their government. (United Kingdom, Thailand, The Netherlands)

Oligarchy

A system of government in which a small usually self-appointed group has the sole power to rule. (Russian Federation, Ukraine, Current United States)

Dictatorship

Authoritative form of Government, no accountability to the people. Unchallenged authority over the people and people have no say over the government. (Castro's Cuba, Kim Jong Un's North Korea, Stalin Russia)

Presidential System

Power is separated b/w executive and legislative branches. Chief executive, or president, and the cabinet members. Separation system is detailed in the constitution.

Parliamentary System

The executive/ and legislative are in the same/intertwined. Executive is chosen by the legislature. Leaders of executive branch, or Prime Minister, are drawn from the legislature.

Democracy

Government by the people

Direct Democracy

Will of the people is reflected in policy making. Mass meetings where citizens pass laws by vote.

Representative Democracy

Representatives are chosen through elections. A small group is chosen to represent the overall will of the people. U.S Democracy represents this form of democracy.

Republic

Leaders are elected and accountable to the people; bound by a system of laws citizens (People's Republic of China, India, United States)