CL Unit 1 Foundations of Government

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering political theories, types of government, economic systems, and principles of citizenship.

Sovereignty

Ability of a state to govern its territory free from interferrence from other states.

evolutionary theory

Government started in families, evolved into clans, tribes, and nations

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

force theory

Government emerged when all the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group.

coup

a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

divine right theory

God created the state and that God had given those of royal birth a "divine right" to rule

social contract theory

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

Government

the ruling authority for a community/society

market economy

Economic decisions are made by individuals or the open market.

command economy

an economy in which production, investment, prices, and incomes are determined centrally by a government.

mixed economy

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

Externality

an economic side effect of a good or service that generates benefits or costs to a third party

Scarcity

Limited quantities of resources to meet unlimited wants

GDP

Gross Domestic Product- the total market value of all final goods and services produced annually in an economy

direct democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

representative democracy/republic

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives, or leaders, to make decisions about the laws for all the people.

Constitutional Monarchy

A King or Queen is the official head of state but power is limited by a constitution and an elected legislature

majority rule

Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority. Must also have respect for minority rights

Legislature

A group of people who have the power to make laws

Absolute Monarchy

A system of government in which the head of state is a hereditary position and the king or queen has almost complete power

Dictatorship

A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority, usually takes power by force

Totalitarian state/ Totalitarianism

government in which a one-party dictatorship regulates every aspect of citizens' lives

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders

Oligarchy

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution.

political party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

immigrant

a person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there

urbanization

the growth of cities and the migration of people into them

Push Factors of Immigration

reasons people emigrate and leave their homes such as economic troubles, overcrowding, poverty

Pull Factors of Immigration

Reasons to migrate to a new area such as Economic Opportunity ($) Jobs/ workers were needed Land Peace and stability Freedom to make a better life

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Civics

The study of the rights, duties, and responsibilities of citizens

Naturalization

A legal process to obtain citizenship

alien

a citizen of another country

Denaturalization

the process through which naturalized citizens may involuntarily lose their citizenship

Expatriation

giving up one's citizenship by leaving to live in a foreign country

duty

an action we are required to perform as citizens, a consequence will result if we fail to complete them

responsibility

an action we SHOULD do as citizens, no consequence if we fail to complete them

Tolerance

acceptance

Draft

A law requiring people of a certain age to serve in the military