Studied by 25 people
government
institution in which a society makes and enforces public policies
public policies
all things a government decides to do
legislative, executive, judicial
3 kinds of power that every government has
legislative
make laws
executive
execute laws
judicial
interpret laws and settle disputes
constitution
powers are normally outlined in a _______
constitution
a body of fundamental laws outlining principles, structures, and processes of government
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
population, territory, government, sovereignty
all states have 4 things
sovereignty
supreme power within its own borders; it can make its own decisions regarding foreign policy and domestic policy
social contract theory
people agreed with one another on a set of rules; the state only exists to serve the will of the people
social contract theory
inspired the founding fathers and was the origin of the state
democracy
the power of the government lies with the people
direct democracy
the people vote on everything
indirect democracy
representatives elected by the people carry out governmental tasks
dictatorship (totalitarian)
the government doesn’t have to answer to the will of the people; they can do whatever they want
autocracy
single person holds all the power
oligarchy
power to rule is held by a small number of self-appointed, elite
presidential
branches are independent and equal; the people elect each branch; a constitution outlines each branches role
parliamentary
the executive branch is made from the legislative branch
foundation 1
the fundamental worth and dignity of individuals
foundation 2
equality of all people (opportunity and before the law)
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)
foundation 4
compromise
foundation 5
individual freedom
Note 
Flashcard (24)