Chapter 1: Principles of Government Study Guide Sections 1,2, and 4

What term means- a branch of political science which focuses on the study of the rights and duties of citizens?

Civics

What term means the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies?

Government

What term means things that the government does?

Public policies

What is the difference between authority and power?

*Authority* - have the right to use that power
*Power* - ability to influence someone to do something

What term means the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government?

Constitution

The earliest known government was in what country?

Ancient Egypt

Which philosopher said, "man has an innate ability to be political animals?"

Aristotle

What term means a body of people living in an area and organized politically?

State

Which state has the largest population?

China

A country is overtaken by a group of people. The population must obey. Which theory of the origin of the state is closely associated with this?

Force Theory

Which state has the largest territory?

Russia (Russia Federation)

Which state has the smallest territory and the smallest population?

Vatican City

Who helped develop the social contract theory?

John Locke

What U.S. famous document was written to justify the use of the social contract theory?

Declaration of Independence

What are the four defining characteristics of a state? List them

Population, Territory, Sovereignty, and Government

Distinguish the three basic powers that every government has.

*Legislative* - make and create laws
*Judicial* - review the laws
*Executive* - signs and enforces the laws

List/explain the four theories of the Origins of State.

*Force theory* - A state is created when a person or a group of people overtakes an area by force
*Divine Right*- A state is created because God wants that person to rule over it
*Social Contract* - A state is created to serve the will of the people. If the government does not meet the needs of the people, the people have the right to overthrow the government.
*Evolutionary Theory* - A state is created gradually and naturally over time.

Which of the four theories of the origin of a state most influenced the creation of the US Government?

Social Contract Theory

What does the term sovereignty mean?

Having control and freedom over one's domestic and foreign policies

Is the Philippines a sovereign political state? Why or why not?

Yes, because it has the power to control its own domestic and foreign policies.

Is Florida a sovereign political state? Why or why not?

No, because it does not have the power to control its foreign policies.

Who holds the supreme authority in a democracy?

The people

What is another name for indirect democracy?

Representative democracy or constitutional republic

What is the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy?

*Democracy* - Those in charge can be held responsible for their action through the process of voting.
*Dictatorship* - Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people

What form of democracy does the United States have?

Indirect democracy

What is the difference between an oligarchy and an autocracy?

*Oligarchy* - a small group of people with unlimited power
*Autocracy* - one person rules with unlimited power

How is power distributed in a unitary government?

Power is held in one big central government

How is power distributed in a federal government?

Power is shared/divided between National, State, and Local governments

A country has this form of government where state and local governments cannot be destroyed or dissolved.

Federal government

An alliance of independent states is this form of government.

Confederate government

In class, we talked about present-day dictatorships. Please list at least two countries that have a dictatorship today.

Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea

How is the prime minister of a parliamentary government chosen?

The prime minister is chosen by the legislative branch

In a presidential government, how is the president chosen?

The prime minister is chosen by the people through voting.

In a representative democracy, how are public officials held responsible to the will of the people?

They are held responsible through the process of voting.

European Union and the Articles of Confederation are examples of what forms of government?

Confederation

What is the difference between "duties of the citizens" and "responsibilities of the citizens?"

*Civic Duties* - commits and mandatory things that a citizens must do
*Civic Responsibilities* - optional but highly encouraged things to do

List two duties as U.S citizens

Paying taxes, Jury Duty

List two responsibilities as U.S. citizens

Voting, Volunteering