AP Gov - Unit 2 Comparative Government Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards created from AP Government Unit 2 Comparative Government lecture notes.

Anarchy

A society or system with no central government or authority to enforce laws + maintain order

State

A scientific term for "nation", around 200 in the world —> Changes frequently

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the national and state governments.

Theocracy

A government where religious leaders or religious laws control the government

—> Divine dictatorship, God rules all

Divine Dictatorship

A government where a dictator claims authority from God or religion

—> Garden, millennium, religious system runs country, 40yrs wilderness

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen, usually through inheritance.

—> (Saul 1st -> David 2nd); Absolute or Limited

Absolute monarch

A monarchy where the king/queen has complete political power

—> Authoritarian, totalitarian (Unchallengeable)

Political Ideology

Refers to Liberal vs. Conservative

Political Culture

What should the Gov. do and how they should be

Oligarchy

A government controlled by a small group of powerful people

—> Group Dictatorship

Politburo

The top decision-making group within the Communist Party in a country

—> Associated with China; Russia (Putin)

Dictatorship

Ruled by 1 that takes power by force

Democracy

A government where political power ultimately belongs to the people

—> Ruled by the people; good if you have moral Christian people

Pure/Direct Democracy

Every citizen votes directly for each law -> New England + Ancient Greece

Indirect Democracy

A republic; citizens vote for the law makers to represent them, not the laws

Another name for Property Tax

School Tax

U.S Constitution Length

5-7 Pages

Georgia Constitution Length

125 Pages

Reason for No Direct Democracy In America

Citizens have no time to study every specific law being voted on

Property Tax

A tax people pay based on the value of property they own.