Government Basics
These are the four things every state must have.
Population, territory, government, sovereignty
In this system, citizens elect people to make most government decisions for them.
Republic / Representative Democracy
In this system, the national government has the final authority over regional governments.
unitary
This principle means government leaders have to obey the law just like everyone else.
rule of law
This thinker believed government should protect people's rights and have limits on its power.
John Locke
When a country can make its own political decisions without another country controlling it, it has this.
Political sovereignty
A king inherits power and faces very few legal limits.
Monarchy
In this system, the constitution divides authority between national and regional governments.
federal
This idea says every person has value, even if that person is unpopular or has little political power.
Worth of the individual
This thinker worried that conflict between people could lead to disorder and believed strong government was needed.
Thomas Hobbes
A city runs parks, libraries, and other programs for citizens. This is which function of government?
Providing services
A small group of wealthy, powerful, or high-status people controls major political decisions.
Oligarchy / Aristocracy
In this system, member states keep most of the authority and give only certain powers to the central government.
confederal
Citizens research issues, vote, contact leaders, and attend public meetings. This shows this democratic principle.
Citizen participation
A country may be politically independent, but according to the Christian worldview it is never independent from this ultimate authority.
God / God's sovereignty
Two neighbors cannot agree over ownership of property, so a court settles the disagreement. This is which function?
Resolving conflict
A country has a monarch, but elected officials govern and a constitution limits royal power.
Constitutional monarchy
The president is chosen separately from the legislature and normally serves a set term. This is this type of system.
presidential
A town votes 80% to 20% to take away the basic rights of the losing group. This democratic principle is being ignored.
Majority rule with minority rights
A defense attorney questions evidence and challenges unfair actions by the government. This helps demonstrate this principle that government power has boundaries.
Limited government
The government creates restaurant inspections and clean-water rules to improve life and safety for the whole community. This function is the best match.
Promoting the public good
One ruler controls politics, but another government goes even further by trying to control media, organizations, education, and society. Name that second system.
Totalitarian regime
A prime minister stays in office only while maintaining enough support in the legislature. This describes this executive system.
parliamentary
Two lawmakers disagree but each gives up part of what they want to reach a workable agreement. This principle is being practiced.
Compromise
In this Supreme Court case, the Court said states must provide an attorney to certain defendants who cannot afford one.
Gideon v. Wainwright
A country has people, clear borders, and a working government, but a neighboring country decides its foreign policy. Which characteristic of a state is missing?
Sovereignty
Citizens themselves vote on a proposed law instead of electing lawmakers to decide it. Name the form of government.
Direct democracy
Country A's regions receive whatever authority the national government chooses to give them. Country B's national and regional governments each have constitutionally protected powers. Name both systems.
Country A: Unitary; Country B: Federal
A president announces, “The courts cannot tell me what to do because I am the president.” Name the democratic principle most clearly being violated.
Rule of law
Country A has competing political parties, independent courts, and citizens who openly criticize leaders. Country B has one ruling party, controlled media, and little meaningful political competition. What broad contrast is being shown?
Representative democracy vs. totalitarianism