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Government
Institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people.
Nation
Sizable group of people, united by bonds of race, language, customs/traditions, religion.
State/Country
Political community that occupies a definite territory, has an organized government, and possesses sovereignty.
Sovereignty
Supreme power within its own territory.
Evolutionary Theory
Concept that the head of a family is the head of the state.
Force Theory
Idea that the state is created by force.
Divine Right Theory
Belief that gods or God choose a ruler.
Social Contract Theory
Theory that people have a "contract" with the government.
Unitary
System where central/national government holds all key powers.
Confederacy
A loose union of independent states.
Federal Power
Power divided between national, state, and local governments.
Authoritarian/Totalitarian
Government that controls all political, economic, and social lives of its citizens.
Dictatorship
Form of government where one person has control.
Oligarchy
Form of government where a small group has control.
Monarchy
Form of government where a king, queen, or emperor rules.
Democracy
System of government ruled by the people, either directly or indirectly.
What are the functions of the government?
Providing leadership
Maintaining order
Providing public services
Providing national services
Providing economic security/assistance
Hobbes’ beliefs:
People surrender freedom to the state, in return they receive order & security
Locke’s beliefs:
People had natural rights; government protects those rights or people can/should rebel
Principles of Democracy
Citizen participation
Free & fair elections
Accepting the election results
The Rule of Law
Majority rule with minority rights
Accountability
Transparency
Limited government & a Bill of Rights
Control of abuse of power
Economic freedom
Equality
Individual rights
Independent judiciary
Competing political parties
Note
Flashcard