Government Final Exam Review

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing government concepts.

Republic

A government where power is held by the people & elected representatives.

Dictatorship

A government where one person or group has absolute power.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen, usually inherited.

Direct Democracy

A government where people vote on all major issues.

Oligarchy

A government ruled by a small group of powerful individuals.

Theocracy

A government controlled by religious leaders or based on religious law.

Authoritarian

A government where a single authority has absolute power.

Totalitarian

An extreme form of authoritarianism with total control over all aspects of life.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

Separation of Powers

The division of government powers to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

What was the most common form of government throughout world history?

Monarchy

What type of democracy do most industrialized nations use today?

Republic

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To declare the colonies independent from Britain

Executive Power

The power to enforce laws and run the government (President).

Legislative Power

The power to make laws (Congress: House of Representatives & Senate).

Judicial Power

The power to interpret laws and decide if they are constitutional.

Who leads the executive branch of the U.S.?

President

What are the two houses of the legislative branch?

House of Representatives and Senate

What is the top body of the Judicial branch?

Supreme Court

Constitution

A written plan that provides the framework and outlines the functions of a government.

Amendment

A change or addition to the Constitution.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, designed to limit the power of the government.

The 1st amendment are designed to limit the power of

The government

According to the 10th amendment, all powers not listed in the consyitution should be given to what other levels of government

The states

The most recent amendment deals with

27th: prevents any law on increasing or decreasing the salary of congress

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.

Landmark Cases

Cases that significantly change the interpretation of the Constitution.

Electoral College

A body of representatives from each state who formally cast votes for the election of the President.

Veto

The president refuses to approve a bill.

Referendum

A direct vote by the people on a specific law or issue.

Original Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time.

Appellate Jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review and possibly change a decision from a lower court.

Exclusive Jurisdiction

When one court has the sole authority to hear a particular type of case.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

Executive Order

A rule or command issued by the president that has the force of law.

Federalist Papers

Series of essays to ratify the Constitution.