Principles of Government Test Review

Legislative power

The power to make laws.

Executive power

The power to enforce and administer laws.

Judicial power

The power to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and settle disputes within the society.

Dictatorship

A form of government where a single person or entity rules with absolute power.

Democracy

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Public policy

The principles on which social laws are based.

State

A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.

Sovereignty

Supreme power or authority.

Free-enterprise system

An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods.

Federalism

The federal principle or system of government.

Unitary government

A system of political organization with a central supreme government which holds the authority.

Confederate government

A union of sovereign states, united for purposes of common action often in relation to other states.

Presidential government

A system of government where an executive branch is led by a president who serves as both head of state and head of government.

Parliamentary government

A system of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.

Government

The system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state.

Constitution

A body of fundamental principles according to which a state or organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Form a more perfect ________

union

Establish ________

justice

Insure domestic __________

tranquility

Provide for the common __________

defense

Promote general _________

welfare

Secure the blessings of __________

liberty

Duties of Citizenship

The obligations that citizens have to their government and fellow citizens.

Responsibilities of Citizenship

The actions and tasks that citizens are expected to perform for the betterment of society.

Political and economic system

The structure and processes that govern political and economic activities within a society.

Free Enterprise

An economic system where private businesses are able to compete with minimal government interference.

4 Characteristics of a "state"

Population, territory, government, and sovereighty

3 powers of government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Supreme Court Judges

9

Bill of rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Duties of citizens

- obey laws
- pay taxes
-eduucation
- serve in the armed forces if called
- serve on a jury or as a witness in court, when summoned

responsibility of citizens

-voting
-volunteering
-know politics

3 Basic Forms of Government

Unitary, Confederate, Federal

How we classify governments (3)

Who can participate?
Geographic distribution of power
Relationship between legislative and executive branches

10th amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.