Unit One A Vocab: Foundations and the U.S. Constitution
1. State- body of people living in a defined territory with an organized political with power to make and enforce laws. (sovereign body- like another name for a country with a governing body)
2. Government- institution by which a society makes and enforces public policy
3. Limited government- government is NOT all powerful- power of govt. is limited
4. Public Policy- procedures and laws that guide a country
5. Sovereignty- states supreme and absolute power w/in its territories
6. Force Theory- state/ govt. came about because of need to resist enemy
7. Evolution Theory-state/ govt. developed out of family hierarchy = Mesopotamia
8. Divine Right Theory-state/ govt. came from God’s power and give royals “right” to rule ex. Roman Emperors, King Louis of France
9. Social Contract Theory- John Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau- people get together and agree to a contract: give up as much power as needed for welfare (order & security) of the people ex. U.S.
10. Unitary Govt.- all powers belong to the central govt. – not dictatorship- can give powers to others on their behalf
11. Federal Govt. - power divided between central and local (can be state or city/ county) usually by means of a constitution
12. Presidential Govt. - separation of powers between executive and legislative branch of govt. both are independent and coequal
13. Parliamentary Govt. – the executive branch is derived from the Legislative branch- they pick the Prime Minister and Official Cabinet
14. Anarchy- total absence of govt. difficult to exist/ maintain for extended periods
15. Grievances/ Redress- complaints addressed to someone- desire a different outcome
16. Rule of Law- idea that no one/ thing is above the law
17. Population- group of people with one similar characteristic (ex- we all live in America)
18. Territory- defined boundaries of a state
19. Monarchy- form of government where one person has great power (king, queen, emperor, Sultan, Czar)
20. Autocracy- government where one person has all authority to rule- like monarchy
20. Confederacy (Confederation) - a union by compact or treaty between states, provinces, or territories, that creates a central government with limited powers; the constituent entities retain supreme authority over all matters except those delegated to the central government.
21. Constitutional - a government by or operating under an authoritative document (constitution) that sets forth the system of fundamental laws and principles that determines the nature, functions, and limits of that government.
22. Constitutional democracy - a form of government in which the sovereign power of the people is spelled out in a governing constitution.
23. Democracy - a form of government in which the supreme power is retained by the people, but which is usually exercised indirectly through a system of representation and delegated authority periodically renewed.
24. Direct Democracy- democracy where the people themselves vote on all legislative initiatives
25. Democratic Republic/ Indirect - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. AKA Representative Democracy
26. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). Rules without the consent of the people.
27. Oligarchy- system of government where small group holds the power (ex. Rome and its Senate)
28. Republic - a representative democracy in which the people elected deputies (representatives), not the people themselves, vote on legislation.