Chapter 1 - Principles of Government

State (Nation, Nation-State)

An independent political unity characterized by population, territory, government and sovereignty.

Sovereignty

A characteristic of a legitimate state; A state's right to rule itself

Government

A characteristic of a legitimate state; The people and institutions with the authority to establish and enforce laws and public policies

Public Policy

Any course of government action directed toward achieving a national goal

Divine Right

The belief that royalty's right to rule comes from God

Social Contract

An agreement among members of a society to create a state and obey its government

Unitary Government

A form of government in which the central government has authority over all political subdivisions

Confederation

A form of government in which two or more independent states join together to achieve a common goal, but retain their individual sovereignty in other matters

Federal System

A political system in which authority is divided between a national government and its political subdivisions

Autocracy

Rule by one person

Oligarchy

Rule by a small group

Democracy

Rule by the people

Monarchy

A form of autocracy in which the ruler acquires position through inheritance or family

Constitutional Monarchy

A form of government in which the monarch is mainly a ceremonial head of state and shares authority with an elected legislature

Dictatorship

A form of autocracy in which a ruler acquires and maintains leadership through fear and force

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which all citizens have a chance to participate on a first-hand basis

Indirect/Representative Democracy

A form of government in which people elect a group of citizens to represent them in making laws and establishing public policies

Legislative Power

The power to make and frame public policies

Executive Power

The power to execute, enforce, and administer the law

Judicial Power

The power to interpret the laws, determine the meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society

Constitution

A body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government.

Population

A characteristic of a legitimate state; the number does not determine statehood; China is the largest state when considering this characteristic

Territory

A characteristic of a legitimate state; the size does not determine statehood; Russia is the largest state when considering this characteristic

Force

The idea that one person or a small group claimed control over an area and forced all within it to submit to that person's or group's rule.

Evolutionary

The belief that the state evolved from the primitive family. As family members reproduced, the family turned to a clan, then tribe and then government.

Form a More Perfect Union

Purpose of Government - to make everything in our

country as perfect as

possible

Establish Justice

Purpose of Government - create fairness for all

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Purpose of Government - promise that everything in

our country will be peaceful

Provide for the Common Defense

Purpose of Government - care for those in need and protect our nation from invasion and/or war

Promote the General Welfare

Purpose of Government - care for all those citizens who may be in need

Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Purpose of Government - make sure freedom and

fairness continues for ourselves and all our children

Presidential Government

Features a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches; chief executive is elected independently of the legislature.

Parliamentary Government

The executive branch is made up of a Prime Minister and their cabinet; the legislature (Parliament) is elected by the people and the Prime Minister is chosen by and from the legislature.

Nation

Refers to the nationality of an organized group of people

Country

Refers to the geographic location of an organized group of people