US Government Unit 1 Review

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the US Government Unit 1 review, emphasizing definitions and explanations relevant to various types of government and principles outlined in the Constitution.

Authoritarian Government

A system where one person or a small group holds absolute power without being elected by the people.

Advantages of Authoritarian Government

Strong sense of law and order, quick response to issues, competition of loyalty.

Disadvantages of Authoritarian Government

No guaranteed rights, lack of voice for the people, unlimited power.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens directly vote on laws and policies, rather than through elected representatives.

Representative Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Parliamentary Democracy

A type of representative democracy where the head of government is chosen from the elected legislative body.

Constitutional Monarchy

A system where a monarch shares power with a constitutionally established government, with limited powers.

Dictatorship

A government where one person or a small group holds absolute power with no effective constitutional limitations.

Totalitarian Government

A form of government where the state controls nearly all aspects of life, including politics, economics, and culture.

Oligarchy

A government where power is held by a small group of people, often with wealth or military power.

Absolute Monarchy

A government where a monarch has absolute power with no limitations on their authority.

Magna Carta

A historical document that influenced the US Constitution's principles of limited government and individual rights.

National Supremacy

The principle that federal law supersedes state law in case of conflict; the Constitution is the 'Supreme Law of the Land'.

Limited Government

A governing body whose powers are defined and restricted by a constitution or laws.

Popular Sovereignty

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

Rule of Law

The concept that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law.

Due Process

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes laws and can impeach the President.

Executive Branch

The branch of government that executes and enforces laws and includes the President.

Judicial Branch

The branch responsible for interpreting laws and reviewing their compliance with the Constitution.