Learn: American Government Study Guide

Source of the Six Purposes of Government

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

Form a more perfect Union

The Constitution allows for constant growth.

Establish Justice

The law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial.

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Keeping the peace and preventing anarchy.

Provide for a Common Defense

Defending the nation against foreign enemies.

Promote the General Welfare

Services that benefit all or most people.

Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Protecting citizens' rights and liberties.

Democracy Definition

Supreme authority rests in the people.

Direct Democracy

Citizens exercise power directly.

Indirect Democracy

Citizens exercise power through elected representatives.

Democracy Keyword

Sovereignty.

Dictatorship Definition

Single leader or authority exercises absolute power without constitutional limitations.

How Dictatorship Power is Acquired

Heredity, conquest, or a coup d'état.

Authoritarian Government

Government has total control; obtained by force.

Oligarchy

Country ruled by a small group, usually wealthy.

Totalitarian Government

Government has total control taken to an extreme.

Aristocracy

Power is held by the wealthy or noble.

Theocracy

The ruler is a god; laws come from scriptures.

Monarchy

Inherited or elected; usually held until death or abdication.

Constitutional Monarchy

Monarchs tend to be figureheads without power.

Parliamentary Government Executive

Executive leader usually comes from the legislature.

Presidential Government Executive

President is elected separately from Congress for a fixed term.

Capitalism

Free enterprise, minimal government intervention, and individual business ownership.

Capitalism Main Idea

Private ownership plus a free market.

Socialism

Public oversight, government regulation, and collective ownership with private business coexisting.

Socialism Main Idea

Public oversight plus some private ownership.

Communism

Strict state control, total central planning, and collective ownership.

Communism Main Idea

Collective ownership plus central planning.

Economic Ownership: Capitalism

Private.

Economic Ownership: Socialism

Public and private.

Economic Ownership: Communism

Collective.

Legislative Branch

Congress; makes laws.

Executive Branch

President; enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court and federal courts; interprets laws.

Checks and Balances

Each branch has ways to limit the power of the other branches.

Federalism

Power is divided between the national government and state governments.

Federalism National Powers Examples

National defense, foreign affairs, and immigration.

Federalism State Powers Examples

State elections, public schools, and local matters.

Popular Sovereignty

Government authority comes from the people.

Limited Government

Government must follow the Constitution and the law.

Separation of Powers

Power is divided among three branches.

Republicanism

Citizens elect representatives.

Individual Rights

People's freedoms and rights are protected.

Citizenship Rights Examples

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, right to vote, and equal protection.

Citizenship Responsibilities Examples

Obey laws, pay taxes, serve on a jury, stay informed, vote, and respect others' rights.

Public Policy

Government decisions, laws, and actions used to address public issues.