Civics test #1

Term

Definition (or description)

Civics

Civics is the study of the rights and duties of citizens.

It is particularly important in a democracy because people are the source of power. If people are informed about their government, then when they go to take part in it, they can have a greater impact.

government (1.4)

the ruling authority for a community that has the power to make and carry out laws and decisions for those living in a community

Examples of Services: protect public health, safety, and welfare via:

-issuing driver's licenses and occupational licenses (teachers/doctors)

-agencies that make sure food/medicine is safe

majority rule (1.4)

This is a principle of American democracy in which there is the belief that a majority of the members of a community (51% or more) has the power to make laws that are binding upon all the people

popular sovereignty

the idea that the people are the source of all political power and that the government's authority comes from the consent of the people. In a government based on popular sovereignty, the people have supreme power, and the government is expected to serve the people.

Bicameralism

“Two chamber” or two parts. It refers to the way that a legislature can be made up of two houses, or bodies of lawmakers. It is usually designed as an internal check and balance on the lawmaking process. The U.S. requires that a majority of both chambers (the House of Representatives and the Senate) pass a bill before the potential law gets sent to the president to be signed.

Veto

Presidents have the power to veto, or say no to an idea that Congress has for a law. These ideas are known as bills. If the president vetoes the idea, the only option Congress has is an override. Overrides require a yes vote from ⅔ of both houses/chambers of Congress.

authoritarianism

A government in which one leader or a group of people wields a massive amount of power with very few checks, if any.

totalitarianism

Remember: all totalitarian regimes would be considered authoritarian, but not all authoritarian regimes are totalitarian. So… explain that.

The government controls almost all aspects of people’s lives. This total control may look like a leader banning any efforts to oppose them. Leaders may take away individual freedom, telling people what they can believe and what groups they may join. They force people to follow an ideology, or a strict idea about life and society. Not all authoritarian regimes feel the need to control all aspects of their citizens’ lives.

Types of Government

Define (or describe) the following:

Term

Definition (or description)

absolute monarchy (1.4, presentation)

An authoritarian form of government in which an inherited leader holds all the power over the people. They exercise complete control over the state.

constitutional monarchy (1.4, presentation)

A democratic form of government in which the power of a hereditary ruler is limited by the country’s constitution and laws. Usually this form of government evolves from an absolute monarchy. A solid example is the United Kingdom.

dictatorship (1.4, presentation)

An authoritarian form of government in which the leader exercises complete control over the people. (This is not to say total control over almost all aspects of life.) They often come to power by the use of force. meaning they will overthrow an existing government and seize power. In some cases they begin as an elected leader and then increase that power until they are no longer democratically chosen by the people, or the people have so few rights and access to information that their access to knowledge is being censored by the leader. Totalitarianism is an extreme form of dictatorship.

direct democracy (1.4, presentation)

A democratic form of government in its purest sense. Citizens meet to discuss government matters and vote to decide what to do. It works best in places with small populations. It was used in Athens, Greece.

Oligarchy (1.4, presentation)

An authoritarian form of government in which a small group of people holds power. Often, such power is based on wealth.

Republic (1.4, presentation)

A democratic form of government in which citizens have a role in choosing the person who will be the head of the government or the head of the state. (Unlike a constitutional monarchy.) I.E. In the U.S. citizens play a role in choosing the president, who is seen as both the head of government and head of state.

One of two types of representative democracy that we have studied.

Theocracy (1.4, presentation)

A government ruled by religious leaders, in which there is no separation between religion and government. The laws of the nation have a basis in religious law. Often, religious law is absolute and forced upon all of a nation’s citizens.

Systems & Levels of Government

System

Description

Federal System

Power is divided among a central/national government and smaller self-governing political units such as states. The central government cannot dissolve or take power from the smaller units. However, the power of the central/national government is greater and its laws are supreme. The U.S. has three levels in our federal system:

federal/national/central

state

local

Unitary System of Government

The central/national government is supreme. The laws of the central government apply to the whole nation. It may create smaller administrative units to carry out some of its functions, but those smaller units are not protected by a constitution and can be dissolved.

Confederal System