Introduction to the State and Government

This set of flashcards covers the fundamental definitions and characteristics of a state, the purposes of government, and the three branches of governmental power.

State

A body of people living in a defined territory with a government.

Nation

An ethnic term referring to a large group of people.

Country

A geographic term referring to a particular place, region, or area of land.

Population

A characteristic of a state requiring people; counts range from $33,203$ in San Marino to $1,379,000,000$ in China.

Territory

A characteristic of a state requiring land with known and recognized boundaries, such as Vatican City at $0.2$ square miles or Russia at $6.6$ million square miles.

Sovereignty

The supreme and absolute power of a state within its own territory, allows it to decide its own foreign and domestic policies.

Government

The agency the state uses to accomplish goals; the institution which makes and enforces public policies.

Public Policies

All of those things a government decides to do, covering areas like taxation, defense, crime, education, health care, and civil rights.

Justice

A purpose of government where the law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial.

Domestic Tranquility

The state of order essential to society, maintained by the government through police and laws.

Legislative Power

The power of law-making, held by bodies such as the US Congress and State Legislatures.

Executive Power

The power of law-enforcing, held by officials such as the US President or a Governor.

Judicial Power

The power of law-interpreting, held by the courts.

What are the four characteristics of a state?

People, Territory, Sovereignty, Government

What are the 3 Powers of Government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial