Government Ch. 1 - Study Guide

constitution

constitution

body of fundamental laws, setting out the principles, structures, and process of government

state

a body of people, living in defined territory, organized politically and with power to make it enforce law without consent of higher power

executive branch responsibilities

power to execute laws and frame public policies

legislative branch responsibilities

power to make laws and frame public polices

judicial branch responsibilities

Power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and settle disputes within society

democracy

citizens giving the government its power

public policies

things the government pursues to do

example: taxes, defense, education, crime, healthcare, etc.

sovereignty

supreme and absolute power with own territory and can decide foreign and domestic policies

dictatorship

form of government where the leader has absolute power and authority

government

institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

where is our division of power set

1. checks and balances

or

2. divided geographically by the federal government

type of government we are

democracy

4 theories of government and brief understanding of what each is

• force theory - state was born via force

• evolutionary theory - developed out of the early family

• divine theory - divine right to rule

• social construct theory - arose out of a voluntary act of the people

bill of rights

first 10 amendments

purposes of government

protect the people, maintain the peace

why the constitution was written

product of enlightenment (same as 21 tbh)

patriotism

love for your country

president vs parliamentary

• presidential - separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches

• parliamentary - executive branch made of prime minister or premieres and the official court

diagram of concepts of democracy

individual worth

individual freedom democracy equality

compromise majority rule, minority rights

duties and responsibilities of US citizen

• taxes

• registration to draft

• stopping at stop signs

• following the law

purposes of the constitution

link states more closely