Political Science - Unit 2

Foundations of American Democracy

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens vote on laws and policies directly rather than electing representatives to decide for them

Representative Democracy

Representative Democracy – A system where citizens elect officials who make decisions and create laws on their behalf.

• Free and fair elections, free speech, the right to assemble/protest

• Power is distributed among multiple branches of government

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a small group of people, often based on wealth, family ties, or military power

Republic

A form of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and the head of state is usually an elected president, not a monarch

Monarchy

A government led by a king, queen, or emperor, where power is inherited through family lines. Monarchies can be absolute (complete control) or constitutional (limited by laws and other governing bodies)

• constitutional monarchy: monarch is mostly ceremonial and is limited by a constitution and elected government

Dictatorship

A government in which one leader holds absolute power, usually obtained and maintained by force (often military)

Totalitarianism

An extreme form of dictatorship where the government controls nearly every aspect of public and private life, including the economy, culture, education, media, and even people’s beliefs

Authoritarianism

Power is concentrated in the hands of the few, often one political party or a single leader (in which case it’s an autocracy)

• Different names: monarch, dictator, even prime minister or president

• No privacy for individuals

• Media censored, protests suppressed

Anarchy

The absence of government or authority, often leading to disorder or chaos since there are no formal rules or leaders

Despotism

Rule by a single person with absolute power, often exercised in a cruel or oppressive way (rule by tradition or fear)

Congressional Committees: Standing Committee

Permanent committees focused on a specific area (ex. Education, Finance)

Congressional Committees: Select/Special Committee

Temporary committees created for a specific purpose (ex. Investigating an issue)

Congressional Committees: Joint Committee

Committees made up of members from both the House and Senate

Congressional Committees: Conference Committee

Resolve differences when the House and Senate pass different versions of the same bill

Presidential Role: Chief of State

• Acts as symbol of the nation

• Performs ceremonial duties, such as giving awards, hosting foreign leaders, and representing the US at official events

Presidential Role: Chief Executive

• Enforces federal laws and the Constitution

• Oversees the executive branch and appoints officials like Cabinet members and federal judges

Presidential Role: Chief Administrator

• Manages day to day operations of the federal government

• Oversees a huge bureaucracy of departments and agencies that carry out government programs

Presidential Role: Chief Diplomat

• Directs US foreign policy

• Negotiates treaties, meets with foreign leaders, and represents the US abroad

Presidential Role: Commander in Chief

• Leads the US armed forces

• Can direct military operations but Congress must declare war

Presidential Role: Chief Legislator

• Influences law making by proposing bills, budgets, and policies

• Can sign bills into law or veto them

Presidential Role: Chief of Party

• Leader of their political party

• Supports party members running for office and shapes party strategy

Presidential Role: Chief Citizen

• Represents the interests of all Americans, not just their party

• Serves as a moral leader and example for the nation