Forms of Government
In direct democracy, how do citizens participate in making laws
Citizens vote directly on laws and policy decisions themselves
Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 'Social Contract' theory emphasized
Direct Democracy and general will of the people
Which system of government features a separation of powers between the national government and state governments, with both levels sharing authority?
Unitary
Who was the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Which philosopher argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property, and that government should protect these rights?
Locke
Which form of government is characterized by rule by a single person with absolute authority?
Autocracy
Which political philosopher's ideas most directly influenced Thomas Jefferson's writing of the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke, particularly his concepts of natural rights and social contract theory
What is an oligarchy?
A government ruled by a small group of wealthy or powerful people
The Petition of Right (1628) was primarily concerned with protecting which of the following?
Civil liberties and preventing cruel punishment
Which historical document, signed in 1215, established the principle that the government must follow the law and limited the power of the monarch?
The Magna Carta
In a confederation system of government, where does most of the power reside?
With the individual states or provinces
In a unitary system of government, where is governmental power concentrated?
In the central national government
In a representative democracy, how do citizens influence government policy?
By electing leaders who make decisions on their behalf
What did the English Bill of Rights (1689) establish regarding Parliament? (think taxes)
Parliamentary rights and the principle that taxes could not be imposed without parliamentary consent
In democracy, who has the power?
The people
What is the primary difference between a presidential and parliamentary system?
In a presidential system, the president is elected separately; in a parliamentary system, the executive is chosen by the legislature
According to Thomas Hobbes in his work 'Leviathan,' what is the purpose of the social contract?
Citizens give absolute power to a ruler in exchange for protection and order
Which ancient society is the best example of direct democracy?
Ancient Athens
Influenced by John Locke, what idea did Thomas Jefferson use when writing the Declaration of Independence?
The idea that all people have natural rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments exist to protect those rights.
Which form of government do citizens vote directly?
Direct Democracy
Describe fascist totalitarianism
An ultranationalist authoritarian ideology with centralized power and state-controlled economy
Which philosopher developed the theory of three branches of government with checks and balances?
Charles Montesquieu
Describe a characteristic of communist totalitarianism?
Complete government control of the economy and single-party rule
What are the three branches of government that were influenced by Montesquieu
Legislature, Executive, Judicial
(must name all three correctly)
Citizens elect a representative to make decisions for them.
Representative Democracy