History Gov... Unit 1

Government

Institution through which society makes and enforces public policies

Public Policy

All the things government decides to do

Autocracy

Rule by one

Oligarchy

Rule by few

Legislative

Power to make laws

Executive

Power to enforce laws

Judicial

Power to interpret laws

Unitary Government

Power held by one central body

Federal Government

Power divided between state and federal

Confederate Government

Loose union of states

Sovereignty

State’s absolute power

Force Theory

Gov from conquest and control

Evolutionary Theory

Gov grew from family authority

Divine Right Theory

Monarchs’ power from God

Social Contract Theory

Gov from agreement among people

Democracy

People hold sovereign power

Republic

Power held by voters, exercised by representatives

Theocracy

Gov based on religious law

Presidential Government

Separation of executive and legislative branches

Parliamentary Government

Executive chosen from legislature (Prime Minister)

Constitution

Basic principles and organization of U.S. government

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

Article I

Legislative branch (bicameral Congress)

Article II

Executive branch powers (President)

Article III

Judicial branch (Supreme & federal courts)

Article IV

Relations of states & national government

Article V

Amendment process

Article VI

Constitution is supreme law

Article VII

Ratification of Constitution

Bicameral

Two-house legislature (Senate & House)

Constitutional Courts

Federal courts using judicial power

Special Courts

Courts with limited cases under Congress

Popular Sovereignty

Power rests with the people

Limited Government

Government is not all-powerful

Constitutionalism

Government must follow law

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Checks and Balances

Each branch restrains others

Judicial Review

Courts decide constitutionality