Unit 1 Civics and Government Flashcards

Practice flashcards covering key government and civics vocabulary, definitions, and concepts from Unit 1.

What is the definition of rule of law?

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced.

How is rights defined in government and civics?

A moral or legal entitlement to have or obtain something or to act in a certain way.

What is civic participation?

Citizens being active in their government.

What is limited government?

Government power if restricted by law, usually by a written constitution; when the government is empowered by law from a starting point of having no power.

What is a trial by jury?

A trial decided by a group of the peers of the accused (other citizens).

What is democracy?

A government where the people have the power; people are the source of power.

What is self government?

Government of a place by its own people.

What is due process?

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system with established rules and principles before the government can infringe rights.

What is the definition of habeas corpus (writ of)?

"You should have the body"; The right to not be falsely imprisoned; or the right to not be imprisoned without a good reason.

What is an absolute monarchy?

A government where a single sovereign ruler (e.g. king, queen, emperor) governs, that ruler has inherited their power.

What is a dictatorship?

A government where a single, absolute rule governs; that ruler has seized power.

What is a direct democracy?

A government where all citizens vote directly on all matters of the government (laws).

What is a republic (representative democracy)?

A government where the people elect leaders to govern on their behalf; this is a type of democracy.

What is a constitutional monarchy?

A government where the power of a monarch is limited by a constitution; there is power sharing between monarch and people.

What is legitimacy?

The public or societal belief in the authority of a person or government.

What is sovereignty?

The supreme and ultimate power or authority in a geographic area; the authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference.

What is an oligarchy?

A government where a small group or class of people hold all the power; e.g. aristocrats.

What is authority?

The right to rule.

What is power?

The ability to rule; the ability to get people to do things.