Principles of Government (Ch.1-Sec.1)

4 characteristics of a state

1. government

2. Sovereignty

3. Population

4. Territory

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 gov in which all power rests in an individual or small group

Democracy

A gov in which supreme authority rests with the people

State

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

Sovereign

To have supreme and absolute in a territory

Divine right

The theory that governments gain their authority from the with of God

How are law made

1. Generated in HOR in Congress

2. Is voted on in the HOR

3. Then is sent to the senate and they make changes and vote on it

4. Then the edited bill goes back to the HOR to be voted on again

5. Then it goes to the President and he reviews it then Ruthy makes it law or vetos it

Origins of the state

1. Force theory

2. Evolutionary theory

3. The divine right to rule theory

4. Social contract theory

Purposes of Government

1. Form a more perfect union

2. Establish justice

3. Insure domestic tranquility

4. Provide for the common defense

5. Promote the general welfare

6. Secure the blessings of liberty

Is government necessary? - essay question