Principles of Government Study Guide

American Government Mrs. Dilisio

What are the four characteristics of a state?

Government, Population, Territory, and Sovereignty

What are the four theories of a state?

Force theory, Evolution theory, Divine Right theory, and Social Contract theory

Approximately how many states are there in the world today?

200

What is patriotism?

Both the federal constitution and the state constitutions set out many guarantees of rights and liberties for the individual in this country.

Who were the Patricians?

Rich, upper-class landowning aristocrats

Who were the Plebeians?

The common folk

What is colonialism?

The control of one's nation over foreign lands

What is mercantilism?

An economic and political theory emphasizing money as the chief source of wealth to increase the absolute power of the monarchy and the nation

What are the five basic notions of democracy?

1) Individual Freedom

2) Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person

3) Respect for the equality of all persons

4) Faith in majority rule and insistence upon minority rights

5) Acceptance of the necessity of compromise

Who was Thomas Hobbes

English Philosopher who felt that people were were in constant battle for power and wealth and that government was necessary

Who was Aristotle

Greek philosopher who viewed the lives of individual human beings believing man by nature is a political animal

What type of government did Athens have?

Greek civilization began to develop some 700-800 years B.C. The assembly met 40 times a year to debate public matters and made law. The Council of 500 was composed of 500 citizens who were chosen randomly served one year terms into the routine day to day work of government

What is sovereignty?

Utmost authority in decision making and in maintaining order

What characterized the Roman Republic?

Rome was founded in 753 B.C and like Athens was originally a city state ruled by monarchy. Monarchical rule was overthrown in 509 BC and was replaced with a crude form of popular government known as a Republic.

What is feudalism?

Loosely organized system in which powerful lords divided their lands among other lesser lords

Explain John Locke’s Theory of Natural Rights

He was an enlightenment thinker who argued Divine Rights V.s Natural rights. Natural Rights are God-given and can be never taken away, such as the rights to life, liberty, and property are natural rights, all of which are inalienable to all men.

What is the difference between direct and indirect democracy?

Direct democracy is also known as pure democracy. People themselves formulate their public policy. This only works at small local levels. Indirect democracy is a representative democracy (like the U.S). A group of persons chosen by the people formulates public policy. This works as all levels

What are the three basic powers of government?

Legislative Power is to make/pass laws and frame public policies. Executive Power is to execute, enforce, and administer laws. Judicial Power is to interpret laws or settle disputes.

What is the difference between Autocracy and Oligarchy?

Autocracy means a single person holds unlimited political power. An Oligarchy means a small group of elite holds the power to rule. Both theses are types of dictatorships as votes are closely controlled and hold absolute power.

Explain the responsibilities, duties, and obligations of citizenship.

Overall, citizenship means being able and willing to commit to the laws. This includes taking care of personal responsibilities, your behavior, civic responsibility, and serving democracy. This includes being informed in voting following laws, caring for the community, volunteering, surviving jury duty, and more.

List the three classifications of government.

Who can participate in the governing process

The geographic distribution of governmental power within the state

The relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the government

List and explain the four pillars of the Free Enterprise System/ Capitalism.

Private Ownership/Property:

Allows people to own and control what they wish; it gives people the incentive to work save and invest (14th amendment)

Individual Initiative/Freedom:

Economic freedom; process is evident in the marketplace

Profit:

Free to risk any part of your wealth in a business venture; if it goes well profit increases (vise versa) offering an incentive to improve

Competition:

Struggle amongst sellers to attract consumers with the best products at the best prices; forces businesses to choose the best products

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of Presidential and Parliamentary Systems

Presidential system : One branch does not become too powerful .

Tendency towards authoritarianism, meaning that sometimes the legislation & executive branches become deadlocked.

Parliamentary system: Government is often more efficient than presidential systems.

Struggles between the ruling party and the opposition and may lead to unhealthy rivalry between the ruling.

In Middle Ages Europe, what was the political system in which control of land was the main source of power?

Feudalism

What is the control of one nation over lands abroad?

Colonialism

All of the following are basic notions found in the American concept of democracy EXCEPT:

The rule of government by a single individual

A Greek philosopher who observed that “man is by nature a political animal”

Aristotle

This English philosopher advocated for reason, freedom of religion, scientific observation, and human progress.

Voltaire

Which two early civilizations did the Founding Fathers base the foundation of the United States government?

Athens & the Roman Republic

What theory brought trade and newfound power to the colonies?

Mercantilism

During the Roman Republic these two social groups struggled for power:

Patricians & Plebeians

Which of the following is not an example of Patriotism?

Not voting