Key Concepts in Government and Political Philosophy

Democracy

A system of government where supreme power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives. Direct Democracy: Citizens vote on laws and policies themselves. Representative Democracy (Republic): Citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf (e.g., United States).

Dictatorship

A form of government where one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. Power is often taken and kept by force. Example: North Korea.

Oligarchy

A form of government in which a small group of people holds all the power. The group is often based on wealth, military strength, or social status. The term means 'rule by the few.'

Anarchy

The absence of a formal government or any ruling authority. It is a state of society without laws or a public body to enforce them. Often associated with chaos and disorder, though some political philosophies see it as a workable ideal.

Federal Government

A system that divides power between a strong national government and smaller local governments (like states). Both levels have their own distinct powers, but the national government is generally supreme. Example: United States, Germany, Mexico.

Confederation Government

An alliance of independent states that create a central government with very limited power. The member states retain their sovereignty and hold most of the authority. Example: The U.S. under the Articles of Confederation (1781-1789).

Parliamentary Government

A system where the executive branch (led by a Prime Minister) is part of the legislative branch (Parliament). The legislature chooses the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and their cabinet can be removed by a 'vote of no confidence.' Example: United Kingdom, Canada.

Presidential Government

A system where the executive branch is separate from the legislative branch. The head of the executive branch is the President, who is elected independently of the legislature. Features a clear separation of powers. Example: United States.

Evolution of Parliament

The historical development of the British Parliament from a council of nobles advising the king to a powerful, representative legislative body. Key Milestones: Magna Carta (1215): Limited the king's power. Glorious Revolution (1688): Established Parliament's supremacy over the monarch. English Bill of Rights (1689): Guaranteed rights and liberties, further solidifying parliamentary power.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute authority of a state to govern itself or another state, without any external interference. A sovereign state has full control over its own territory.

Western Ideals

Core political and philosophical principles that originated in Western civilization (particularly Ancient Greece, Rome, and Judeo-Christian traditions). Key Ideals: Individualism and liberty, Democracy and representative government, Rule of Law, Natural rights.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government (executive, legislative, judicial) to amend or veto acts of another branch, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. Example: The President can veto a law passed by Congress; Congress can impeach the President; the Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into three distinct branches: Legislative: Makes laws (e.g., Congress), Executive: Enforces laws (e.g., The President), Judicial: Interprets laws (e.g., The Supreme Court). The goal is to prevent the concentration of power in one place.

Rule of Law

The principle that all people and institutions, including the government itself, are subject to and accountable to the law. No one is above the law. It ensures that laws are applied fairly and consistently.

Thomas Hobbes

Key Work: Leviathan. Main Idea: Believed that in a 'state of nature,' life would be 'solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.' Social Contract: Argued that people give up some freedom to an absolute monarch in exchange for security and order. He favored a strong, centralized government.

John Locke

Key Work: Two Treatises of Government. Main Idea: Argued that all people are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Social Contract: Believed government exists to protect these rights. If it fails, the people have the right to overthrow it. His ideas greatly influenced the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Key Work: The Social Contract. Main Idea: Believed in popular sovereignty and the 'general will' of the people. Social Contract: Argued that people agree to be governed for the common good. He championed direct democracy where citizens participate directly in making laws.