US Government terms

Government

the institution through which a society makes and enforces public policies

Public Policies

all the things a government decides to do

Legislative Power

The power to make laws

Executive power

the power to enforce and administer laws

Judicial Power

The power to interpret laws

Dictatorship

A government in which all power rests with an individual or small group

Democracy

A government in which supreme authority rests with the people

State

A body of people, living in a defined territory, with a government that can make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority

Sovereign

To have supreme and absolute power within a territory

Divine Right

the theory that governments gain their authority through the will of God

Autocracy

Government in which a single person holds all political power

Oligarchy

Government in which a small, usually self appointed group has the sole power to rule

Unitary Government

A government in which all power belongs to one central agency

Federal Government

A government in which power is divided between one central and several local governments

Confederation

An alliance of independent states

Division of Powers

The split of power between central and local governments

Presidential Government

A government with seperate executive and legislative branches

Parliamentary Government

A government in which the executive branch is part of the legislative branch and subject to its control

Direct Democracy

Also called pure democracy, all the people vote for one thing all the time, best in local areas rather than larger populations

Limited Democracy-republic

A democracy in which a small group of people are elected by the public to be representatives and make policy on the behalf of the people

Theocracy

A legal system of a state in which the policy of the state is based on religious laws

Unitary system

Often described as a centralized government, all powers held by the government belong to a single central agency

federal system

one in which the powers of the government are divided between a central government and multiple local governments

confederal system

Alliance of multiple independent states. Does not have power or control unless it’s with defense or foreign affairs. Only assigned states inside the confederation would have power. 

Traditional Economy

Customs and traditions and historical practices dictate trade like farming. People trade farms and don't care about profits.

Command Economy

Goverment bureucrats plan and direct most economic activity which differs in a number of significant ways

Mixed Economy

A blend of an economy including private enterprise and government participation.

Pure Market Economy (Laissez-Faire)

The government should only play a very limited, hands off role in society.