Government - Chapter 1 Section 1 - Vocabulary

pg. 4-11

Government

Institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Public Policies

All of those things a government decides to do. Ex. laws, regulations, and programs.

Legislative Power

Power to make laws and to frame public policies.

Executive Power

The power to execute,enforce and administer laws.

Judicial Power

the power to interpret laws, to determine their meanings, and to settle disputes that arise within the society.

Constitution

the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structure and processes of a government.

Dictatorship

If all power is held by one or a small group of people

Democracy

When the power falls into the responsibility with majority of the people.

State

body of people, living in a defined territory organized politically.

Sovereign

Has supreme and absolute power within its own territory and can decide its own foreign and domestic policies.