Academic Team History Study Guide

Autocracy

Rule by a single individual, might be an emperor, tsar, president, or certain monarchs. Power is consolidated into one individual.

Dictatorship

A form of autocratic government where the ruler has seized power through force (usually military means) or manipulation. Dictatorships oppress civil liberties and political opposition, using police and military groups to carry out the desires of the ruler.

Totalitarian Government

A government that seeks to control every aspect of public and private life.

Monarchy

The monarch is head of state until death or abdication; usually a hereditary position. Absolute monarchy might be synonymous with autocracy. Modern monarchs are usually part of a constitutional monarchy with limited roles and power.

Democracy

Governance by citizens, where citizens vote for legislation - direct democracy - or representatives to make laws on their behalf. Akin to a constitutional republic.

Representative Democracy

Elected officials serve in legislative positions, and might serve in executive positions as well.

Parliamentary System

A system of representative democracy where voters ballot for a party, the majority which will appoint the chief executive (usually named prime minister).

Presidential Democracy

The executive branch (president) is separate from the legislative branch (congress or parliament). The president is typically elected independently of the legislative body and serves a fixed term.

Semi-Presidential Democracy

A system where there are both a president and a prime minister. The president is often the head of state with symbolic duties, while the prime minister is the head of government.

Federal Democracy

In a federal democracy, power is shared between a central government and smaller subnational units, such as states or provinces.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens vote directly on legislation.

Practicing Countries of Monarchy

Countries such as Norway, Great Britain, Tonga, etc.

Examples of Autocracy

Roman Empire (Augustus - end of Empire), France (Napoleon Bonaparte, Louis XIV), Russia (Tsar Nicholas II), China (Mao Zedong), North Korea (Kim Jong-un), Cambodia (Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot), Soviet Union (Stalinist era).

Examples of Democracy

Direct - Ancient Athens, Parliamentary - United Kingdom, Representative - United States and France, Federal Democracy - United States, India, and Germany.

Absolute Monarchy

A form of monarchy where the monarch has almost complete power.

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of monarchy where the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution.

Civil Liberties

Individual rights protected by law from governmental interference.

Political Opposition

Groups or individuals that challenge or oppose the current government or its policies.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws.

Chief Executive

The highest-ranking official in an organization or government, typically responsible for the overall operations.

Symbolic Duties

Ceremonial responsibilities that do not involve direct governance.

Federal Democracy

In a federal democracy, power is shared between a central government and smaller subnational units, such as states or provinces. Each level of government has its own authority and responsibilities.

Theocracy

Government that is ruled by a religious leader or religious institution. Religious principles and beliefs guide the government's policies and decision-making.

Oligarchy

Oligarchy is a system where a small group or class holds political power and makes decisions for the entire state.

Plutocracy

Plutocracy is where society is controlled by the wealthiest people. This term has been used to describe wealth gaps in nations, including pre-WWII Japan, the current United States, and the City of London.

Unicameral Legislature

Elected legislative bodies consisting of one house.

Bicameral Legislature

Elected legislative bodies consisting of two houses.

United Nations (UN)

Promotion of international cooperation, security, economic development, and peace. Founded in 1945, headquartered in New York City, USA, with 193 member states.

European Union (EU)

Promote economic and political integration among European countries. Founded in 1951, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Collective defense and security cooperation among North American and European nations.

France's Legislature

Parliament - Bicameral (National Assembly and Senate). National Assembly is elected via a two round system of voting.

Denmark's Legislature

People's Assembly (Folketinget) - Unicameral.

United Kingdom's Legislature

Parliament - Bicameral (House of Commons and House of Lords).

Iceland's Legislature

Assembly of All - Unicameral.

India's Legislature

Parliament (House of the People; Council of States).

Japan's Legislature

Diet (House of Representatives and House of Councillors).

Mexico's Legislature

Congress of the Union (Chamber of Deputies and Chamber of Senators).

Russia's Legislature

Federal Assembly (State Duma and Federation Council).

Switzerland's Legislature

Federal Assembly (Council of States and National Council).

Warsaw Pact

Rival organization to NATO.

1994 Rwandan Genocide

A major event associated with the United Nations' mission.

UN Mission in Somalia

Significant event involving the United Nations.

UN Mission in Sierra Leone

Another significant event involving the United Nations.

Founded

1949

Headquarters

Brussels, Belgium

Membership

United States - 1949, Canada - 1949, United Kingdom - 1949, France - 1949, Norway - 1949, Denmark - 1949, Belgium - 1949, Netherlands - 1949, Luxembourg - 1949, Italy - 1949, Portugal - 1949, Iceland - 1949, Greece - 1952, Turkey - 1952, Germany - 1955, Spain - 1982, Hungary - 1999, Czech Republic - 1999, Poland - 1999, Bulgaria - 2004, Estonia - 2004, Latvia - 2004, Lithuania - 2004, Romania - 2004, Slovakia - 2004, Slovenia - 2004, Croatia - 2009, Albania - 2009, Montenegro - 2017, North Macedonia - 2020

African Union (AU)

Promote peace, stability, and development in Africa.

Founded

2001

Headquarters

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Key Bodies

African Union Commission, Peace and Security Council.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Facilitate international trade and resolve trade disputes.

Founded

1944

Headquarters

Geneva, Switzerland

Member Nations

164 member nations

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Promote international monetary cooperation, exchange rate stability, and economic growth.

World Bank Group

Provide financial and technical assistance for development projects in developing countries.

Headquarters

Washington, D.C., USA

Institutions

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), etc.

Organization of American States (OAS)

Promote democracy, human rights, and cooperation among countries in the Americas.

Founded

1948

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Promote solidarity among Muslim countries and address issues facing the Muslim world.

Founded

1969

Headquarters

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Commonwealth of Nations

Foster cooperation and development among countries that share historical ties to the British Empire.

Founded

1931

Headquarters

London, United Kingdom

Key Bodies

Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Fosters political and economic integration among its 10 members.

Founded

1967

Headquarters

Jakarta, Indonesia

International Relations

An umbrella term for the variety of ways nations may interact with one another.

Diplomacy

The practice of managing international relations, often through negotiations and discussions, to promote peace, cooperation, and resolution of conflicts.

International Law

A set of rules and regulations that govern the behavior of states in their relations with one another. It includes treaties, conventions, and customary practices.

Multilateralism

The practice of coordinating and working together with multiple countries to address global issues and challenges.

Bilateral Relations

Diplomatic and political interactions between two countries.

Geopolitics

The study of how geographical factors and international politics are interrelated, often focusing on the influence of geography on international affairs.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

A non-profit organization that operates independently of any government, often engaged in humanitarian, environmental, or advocacy work on an international scale.

Soft Power

The ability of a country to influence others through culture, values, and policies, rather than coercion or force.

Hard Power

The use of military and economic force to exert influence or control over other countries.

Globalization

The process by which societies, economies, and cultures become more interconnected and interdependent on a global scale.

Arms Control

Agreements or measures taken to limit or regulate the development, production, and use of weapons, especially in the context of international conflict.

Humanitarian Intervention

The use of military force by one or more countries to protect people in another country from gross violations of human rights.

Balance of Power

A concept in international relations where states seek to maintain a distribution of power to prevent any one country from becoming too dominant.

State Sovereignty

The principle that states have the ultimate authority and control over their own territory and domestic affairs.

Treaty

A formal agreement between states that is legally binding, often used to outline specific obligations and responsibilities.

Superpower

A term used to describe a country with significant global influence, often referencing the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Constitution

Ratified June 21, 1788.

Preamble

The constitution's principles and purpose, with an endorsement of democracy as the form of governance [We The People].

Article I

Legislative Branch - Bicameral, with a House of Representatives and Senate.

House of Representatives

Representatives serve two year terms, minimum of 25 years of age, reside in the state they represent, and be a citizen of the U.S. for at least 7 years.

Senate

Senators serve for a six-year term, minimum of 30 years old of age, resident in the state they represent, and citizen of the U.S. for at least 9 years.

Enumerated Powers

Powers given to Congress as outlined in Article I, Section 8, such as taxation, borrowing, declare war, etc.

Commerce Clause

The power to regulate trade.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Power to create laws to allow Congress' powers to be carried out, also known as the Elastic Clause.

Article II

Establishes the executive power in the President and defines the President's role as the head of the executive branch.

Electoral College

The method for electing the President.

Commander in Chief

Designates the President as the head of the armed forces.

Impeachment

The process where the House of Representatives has the authority to impeach, and the Senate conducts the trial.

State of the Union

An address delivered by the President to Congress.