Chapter 1 Test Review

Government

Institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Public policies

All the things a government decides to do, such as taxation, healthcare, defense, and education.

Power

Ability to command or prevent action; the ability to achieve a desired end.

Legislative power

Power to make law and frame public policies.

Executive power

Power to execute, enforce, and administer law.

Judicial power

Power to interpret laws and settle disputes.

Constitution

Body of laws setting the principles, structures, and processes of a government.

Democracy

Supreme authority rests with the people.

Dictatorship

Authority not responsible to the people.

The State

Body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically, with the power to make/enforce laws.

Characteristics of a state

Population, territory, sovereignty, and government.

Sovereignty

The authority to rule; absolute power over decisions.

Force Theory

Belief that the state was born of force by a person or small group.

Evolutionary Theory

State developed naturally out of the early family.

Divine Right

Belief that God gave those of royal birth the right to rule.

Social Contract

The state arose out of a voluntary act of free people.

Purpose of Government

To form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.

Direct Democracy

Will of the people turned into law by the people themselves.

Indirect/Representative Democracy

Representatives elected by the people to express the popular will.

Republic

Power is in the hands of the voters; decisions made by representatives.

Autocracy

One person rule.

Oligarchy

Rule by a small group.

Authoritarian

All dictatorships are authoritarian.

Unitary Government

Power resides in a single, central agency.

Federal Government

Powers divided between a central government and several local governments.

Confederate Government

Alliance of independent states with limited central government powers.

Presidential Government

Executive and legislative branches are separate and coequal.

Parliamentary Government

Executive (prime minister) is a member of the legislature.

Worth of Individual

Fundamental importance of the individual in democracy.

Equality of all persons

Focus on equality of opportunity and equality before the law.

Majority Rule

Majority of the people will be right more often than wrong.

Minority Rights

Majority must listen to minority's arguments and criticisms.

Necessity of Compromise

Few public questions have only two sides.

Individual Freedom

Balancing individual rights with the good of society.

Anarchy

Total absence of government.

Free enterprise

Private ownership of capital goods and free market decisions.

Mixed economy

Regulation and promotion; private enterprise exists with government regulation.

Role of Internet in democracy

Provides citizens with information.

Major problem of the Internet

Accuracy of information.