Purposes and Origins of Government

anarchy

(n) a lack of government and law; confusion

government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

nation

a group of people with a common culture living in a territory and having a strong sense of unity

state

An area organized into a political unit and ruled by an established government with control over its internal and foreign affairs.

country

a nation or area of land that is politically controlled by one government

Soverneignty

a government that makes and enforces its own laws without approval from any other authority.

divine right

Belief that a rulers authority comes directly from god.

social contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

unitary system

A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

Confederacy

A loose union of independent states

federal system

A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments

constitution

A written plan of government

constitutional government

government whose power is defined and limited by law

dictatorship

A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority.

oligarchy

A government ruled by a few powerful people

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

democracy

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

economics

The study of how people seek to satisfy their needs and wants by making choices

economic regulation

government regulation of business practices, industry rates, routes, or areas serviced by particular industries

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of capital

free market

An economic system in which prices and wages are determined by unrestricted competition between businesses, without government regulation or fear of monopolies.

Laissez-faire economics

Theory that opposes governmental interference in economic affairs beyond what is necessary to protect life and property.

mixed economies

Economic systems in which some allocation of resources is made by the market and some by the government

Socialism

A system in which society, usually in the form of the government, owns and controls the means of production.

democratic socialists

a socialist who is committed to democracy but wants government involvement in the distribution of wealth

command economy

An economic system in which the government controls a country's economy.

Communism

A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.