Unit 5 Government & Economic Systems

Fill-in-the-blank review flashcards covering government systems, distribution of power, and economic systems based on the Unit 5 study guide and answer key.

Representative Democracy

On Election Day, citizens vote for senators, the president, and governors. This form of government is a __________.

Autocracy

A nation is controlled by one individual who holds nearly all political power and allows citizens little influence over government decisions. This type of government is an __________.

Oligarchy

In a country, political power is controlled by a small group of wealthy families and powerful leaders. This form of government is an __________.

Confederal System

Several independent states create a weak central or national government, but the states keep most of their sovereignty. This arrangement is called a __________.

Monarchy

Political power is held by a king or queen, and leadership is often passed from one member of a royal family to another through inheritance or bloodline. This form of government is a __________.

Federalism

Power is divided between a national government and state governments, with each level having its own responsibilities. This is known as a __________.

Unitary System

In a country, the central government holds most of the sovereignty, while states have little authority. This government structure is called a __________.

Federal System

The United States Constitution gives certain powers to the national government, reserves other powers to the states, and allows some powers to be shared. This is an example of a __________.

Direct Democracy

All citizens must vote on proposed laws and decisions in this type of government. This is a __________.

Theocracy

The government of a nation is controlled by religious leaders, and its laws are strongly based on religious beliefs. This form of government is a __________.

Constitutional Republic

Citizens elect representatives, but the power of those representatives is limited by a written constitution that protects individual rights. This system can best be described as a __________.

Roman Republic

The United States adopted ideas form the __________ __________, including separation of powers.

Republic

Citizens elect representatives to exercise political power for them, and the government operates according to established laws. This form of government is called a __________.

Capitalism

Citizens and entrepreneurs own private property and businesses and make economic decisions based on competition and the opportunity to earn profits. This economic system is called __________.

Socialism

An economic system in which there is little private ownership by citizens and the government attempts to distribute wealth more equally is known as __________.

Communism

In this economic system, the government or community controls all major property and resources rather than allowing citizens to privately own the major means of production. This system is called __________.

Less Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Communism and socialism, in which the government controls or reduces private ownership, competition, and opportunities for individuals to profit from new ideas, lead to __________.

Representative Democracy

In a nation, political power belongs to the citizens, who elect representatives to make governmental decisions on their behalf. This form of government is a __________.