From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Government - Vocabulary Flashcards (Video)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the Governance and Democracy chapter (Grade 7).

rakṣha

Protection of the state from external aggression; a core duty of rulers.

pālana

Maintenance of law and order within the state.

yogakṣhema

Safeguarding the welfare and well-being of the people.

democracy

Rule of the people; power and authority derive from the people.

universal adult franchise

Right of all adults to vote in elections.

equality

Equal treatment before the law and equal access to facilities and opportunities.

freedom

Right to make choices and express opinions.

representative participation

People elect representatives to govern on their behalf.

constitution

Fundamental rules that determine how a country is governed; can be written.

Parliament

Legislature; body of elected representatives that makes laws.

executive

Branch responsible for implementing laws and running the government.

legislature

Body that makes laws; often two houses in many democracies.

judiciary

System that interprets laws, settles disputes, and protects rights.

separation of powers

Three organs (legislature, executive, judiciary) operate independently to provide checks and balances.

direct democracy

Citizens directly participate in all decisions; practical mainly in smaller or limited contexts (e.g., Switzerland).

representative democracy

People elect representatives to govern on their behalf; officials are accountable to voters.

parliamentary democracy

Executive drawn from and answerable to the legislature; PM leads the government.

presidential democracy

Executive elected separately from the legislature; president has an independent mandate.

monarchy

Government headed by a monarch; power often hereditary.

absolute monarchy

Monarch has complete, unchecked control over laws and governance.

constitutional monarchy

Monarch's powers are largely ceremonial; elected representatives have real political power.

theocracy

Government ruled by religious law and religious leaders.

dictatorship

One person or a small group holds absolute power with no constitutional limits.

oligarchy

A small, powerful group makes major decisions, often wealthy elites.

republic

Head of state elected; not a hereditary monarch; early republics existed in history.

rājadharma

Duty of the ruler to govern within dharma and for the welfare of the people.

dharma

Moral law or duties guiding rulers and citizens; righteousness.

sovereign

Source of power that is independent from external influence; highest authority.

sabha

Ancient Indian assembly for governance; elected representatives addressing public issues.

samiti

Local or regional assembly in ancient Indian governance; advisory and decision-making body.

independent judiciary

Judiciary that operates independently of the other branches to protect rights and uphold the law.

governance

The act of governing; management and administration of a state.

functions of government

Legislative (make laws), executive (enforce laws), and judiciary (interpret laws and ensure justice).

bicameral legislature

Legislature with two houses (e.g., lower and upper houses) for lawmaking.