Foundations of Government

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Government

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26 Terms

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government
institution in which a society makes and enforces public policies
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public policies
all things a government decides to do
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legislative, executive, judicial
3 kinds of power that every government has
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legislative
make laws
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executive
execute laws
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judicial
interpret laws and settle disputes
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constitution
powers are normally outlined in a _______
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constitution
a body of fundamental laws outlining principles, structures, and processes of government
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the state
a body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically (government), which has the power to make and enforce its own laws
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population, territory, government, sovereignty
all states have 4 things
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sovereignty
supreme power within its own borders; it can make its own decisions regarding foreign policy and domestic policy
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social contract theory
people agreed with one another on a set of rules; the state only exists to serve the will of the people
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social contract theory
inspired the founding fathers and was the origin of the state
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democracy
the power of the government lies with the people
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direct democracy
the people vote on everything
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indirect democracy
representatives elected by the people carry out governmental tasks
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dictatorship (totalitarian)
the government doesn’t have to answer to the will of the people; they can do whatever they want
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autocracy
single person holds all the power
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oligarchy
power to rule is held by a small number of self-appointed, elite
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presidential
branches are independent and equal; the people elect each branch; a constitution outlines each branches role
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parliamentary
the executive branch is made from the legislative branch
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foundation 1
the fundamental worth and dignity of individuals
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foundation 2
equality of all people (opportunity and before the law)
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foundation 3
faith before majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights (majority is right most of the time; your rights end where someone else’s begin)
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foundation 4
compromise
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foundation 5
individual freedom