Government Chapter 2 Flashcards

Monarchy

A government in which the supreme authority is invested in one who rules for life.

Monarch

Supreme but not sole authority.

Constitutional Monarchies

The government is run by a democratically elected parliament, and the monarch is merely a ceremonial head of state.

Dynasty

A house of heredity monarchs.

Dictatorship

The government acts without the people's consent or input.

Totalitarianism

Control of every aspect of people's lives.

Autocracy

One person rules with supreme authority.

Oligarchy

An elite group rules.

Anarchy

A state of lawlessness because of lack of supreme power.

Popular Government

A system in which the people participate. Political power resides with the people.

Two types exist: Democracy and Republic

Direct Democracy (Pure)

A government in which the people directly affect the government's policies and actions through gatherings (resembling those of the ancient city state Athens and New England town meetings).

Indirect Democracy (Representative)

The people elect their peers to operate the government on their behalf.

Republic

A state in which power rests with the people or their representatives.

Unitary System

Governmental power resides in the central government; this government receives all its power from the people.

Federalism

Divides a nation's power among national, regional, and local governments.

Confederate Government

Regional governments retain supremacy and delegate few tasks to the national government. The powers held by the national government are exercised only by the states' permission.

Presidential System

The people directly elect the president, the head of the executive branch, independently of the legislative branch.

Parliamentary System

The legislative and executive branches are linked. The majority party in the legislature appoints the executive head, the prime minister, who establishes a cabinet to run the affairs of the country.

Delegated Powers

Specific powers that allow the government to serve the country effectively.

Congress

Divided into two house, collectively known as this to form the legislative branch.

House of Representatives

The lower house of Congress.

Senate

The upper house of Congress.

President

The chief executive officer and is therefore the head of the executive branch. Chooses people to head various government departments. They help him enforce laws passed by the legislative branch.

Supreme Court

The highest court of the land, to be the final judge for all questions concerning American laws.

Magna Carta

A document restoring the feudal rights of the English barons, but it contained principles that caused it to later be heralded as a foundational document of constitutional government.

Due Process

Requires certain legal procedures to be followed to protect the rights of the accused.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Marked the beginning of a democratic government in England.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution.

Electoral College

Indirectly elects the president.

Majority Rule

A majority of the electorate makes decisions that bind the entire electorate.

Popular Majority

Comprises the majority of all citizens, or a least the majority of all participating voters.

Representative Majority

A majority of elected officials.

Pluralistic Society

Differing opinions and parties coexist freely.

Equality

Political and legal equality of justice and franchise.

Civic Thinking

An understanding of the political ideas and institutions that shape America's government, and appreciation for America's heritage, and an ability to evaluate current issues and national direction.