Government Unit 1 Exam

Power

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events, often associated with authority and governance.

Power literacy

The understanding of how power operates in society, including the ability to analyze and critically engage with power structures.

State

A political community that occupies a defined territory & has an organized rule or government, possessing the authority to make and enforce laws.

Sovereignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without interference from outside sources or bodies. It includes the ability to make laws, conduct foreign relations, and manage internal affairs.

Nation

A sizable group of people united by a common defining characteristic; language, race, religion, etc.

Nationalism

Strong loyalty to and identification with ones nationality above membership in other communities or groups

Government

an organized system of rule over a community or state

Citizenship

official membership in a defined community

What are the 4 purposes of government?

Maintain Social Order, Provide Public Services, Provide Security, Make Economic Decisions

What are examples of “Maintaining Social Order?”

Laws, police, judicial systems, etc.

What are examples of “Providing social services?”

Sewer systems, public health, roads, etc.

What are examples of “Providing Security”

Army, navy, air force, etc.

What are examples of “Making economic decisions?”

tariffs, taxation, regulation of trades, etc.

Democracy

rule by the people

Direct Democracy

every citizen directly participates in the government & all decision making

Representative / Republic Democracy

citizens elect others to represent their views and make decisions

What is an example of a Direct Democracy?

Ancient Athens because in a general assembly to debate, create laws, and vote on laws directly. (only males could vote..)

What is an example of a representative/ republic democracy

U.S.A because they do not vote directly on laws but instead elect leaders to make decisions and pass laws on their behalf.

Oligarchy

rule of few, minority represents majority

What is an example of an Oligarchy?

South Africa because the minority white population held total political and economic dominance over the majority. (racial oligarchy)

Dictatorship

rule by a single leader

What are examples of a dictatorship?

totalitarian and monarchy

Totalarian

government that maintains total power and limits civil liberties

What is an example of totalitarian

fascism and communism

What is a fascist government

their goal is to promote a national identity and nations power at all costs

What is an example of a fascist government?

Nazi Germany because Adolf Hitler had single party control, intense racial ideology, mass surveillance, and state run concentration camps

What is a communist government

Leader/government control all resources and economic activities, try to limit class structure (no rich or poor)

What is an example of a communist government?

The Soviet Union because private farms were seized and merged into massive state run or collective farms (no private property; farm land, factories, no self own businesses)

What is a Monarchy?

single ruler who earns position from birth, bloodline, or marriage

What is an example of a Monarchy?

Enlightenment era France because they has absolute monarchy during King Louis XIV.

What is theocracy?

rule is a religious leader and/or the laws of society are governed by religious laws & principles

What is an example of theocracy?

The Vatican City because it is ruled by the Pope, who is the head of the Catholic Church and the absolute sovereign of the city-state.

What is anarchy?

society without government

What was the enlightenment?

a philosophy movement with advancements in politics, religion, science, and education

When was the Enlightenment period?

during the 17th and 18th century

Where was the Enlightenment movement?

a movement in western europe (England & France)

Why did the Enlightenment happen?

God does not give monarchs the right to rule over others, right to rule comes from the people

How did the enlightenment change government?

Challenged power structure, government owes people rights/liberties if they expect people to obey, people can revolt if they disagree with the government

How did the enlightenment shape the USA

Human rights, declaration of dependence, protesting & changing government

Thomas Hobbes

An english man from 1588-1679 and wrote The Leviathan (state of nature)

What were Thomas Hobbes beliefs?

Belived the governments job was to protect us, people were inherently evil and order is nessesary or else its fear and war

What did Thomas Hobbes influence?

introduced social contract theory

John Locke

English man from 1632-1704 who wrote Civil Government (inherent rights)

What did John Locke believe in?

Believed the governments job is protect our rights

What did John Locke influence?

State of Nature and the declaration of independence

Barron Montesquieu

Swiss man from 1689-1755 wrote Spirit of Laws (what government should look like)

What did Barron Montesquieu believe in?

Governments role is to maintain law & order, protect liberty & property

What did Barron Montesquieu influence?

Checks & Balances & Separation of powers (Legislative; write, Judicial; interpret, Executive; execute/enforce)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

french man from 1712-1778 wrote The Social Contract (state of nature, free equal, peaceful)

What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau believe?

People are naturally good but property creates corruption and thats when government will need to get involved

What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau influence?

Direct democracy, people vote, “We the People” preamble of the U.S. constitution

Alexis De Tocqueville

french man from 1805-1859 wrote Democracy in America

What did Alexis De Tocqueville believe?

US posses the most equality, believed “tyranny(abuse) of the majority”, the US would eventually divide over slavery, rise of US & Russia as superpowers

What did Alexis De Tocqueville influence?

electoral college

State of Nature

hypothetical condition of humans without established society, government, laws, police, and complete individual freedom

State of Nature: Thomas Hobbes

fear & violence without government, believes totalitarian is best, people are born evil

State of Nature: John Locke

state of peace, natural/human rights (life liberty and property)

State of Nature: Barron Montesquieu

State of war without government, people are weak and need a ruler

State of Nature: Jean- Jacques Rousseau

free,equal,peaceful need government because property causes corruption.

State of Nature: Alexis De Tocqueville

no “state of nature” judged US democracy

Social Contract

an agreement between citizens & their government, citizens follow laws if government provides benefits in return( order, security, services, etc.)

Social Contract: Thomas Hobbes

citizens agree to surrender rights to allo sovereign to protect us

Social Contract: John Locke

government can limit our rights so long as they protect ours

(No) Social Contract: Barron Montesquieu

political liberty needs separation of powers

Explain like I’m 5→ combining all government authority into one person or group creates tyranny and destroys personal freedoms

(No) Social Contract: Jean-Jacques Rousseau

amongst citizens, consent of the people to rule

(No) Social Contract: Alexis De Tocqueville

judged democracy in America