Basics of gov
Government definition
Institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a group of people
Unitary
Authority rests with 1 government
Authority rests with 1 person or group
Liberty
The right for somebody to express themselves as long as that doesn’t harm or devalue another person
Government cannot tax
Articles of Confederation
Constitutional vs Unconstitutional
Something judicial branch decides with laws
If a law counteracts things set up by the US constitution then they are unconstitutional
For things to be constitutional the laws must not counteract the constitution
People of government
Employees of the government
Federal
Power is split between branches or groups of people
Equality
Belief that everybody is born with the same rights that cannot be taken away
States hold most of the power
Articles of Confederation
Judicial review
Power of government
Government's authority to get things done
Type of government U.S. has
Representative democracy
Republic
Self-government
Belief that people could aspire to rule themselves
Government regulates tax and trade
US Constitution
Supermajority
Greater than a simple majority (half or more)
Typically see 2/3 or 3/4
Policy of goverment
Decision made in pursuit of a particular goal
Can be laws, programs, regulations, etc
Minority
Group of people who have a smaller following surrounding an idea than the majority
Rule of law
States everybody has to follow the laws in constitution, even government bodies themselves
Created national courts system
U.S. Constitution
Bicameral
Have 2 houses in 1 branch
Basic functions of government
Provide security
Maintain order
Resolve conflict
Provide services
Provide public goods
Gridlock vs compromise
Compromise is when both sides give up a little of what they want to get something passed. Without compromise we have gridlock, where decisions cannot be made and can result in the government shutting down.
Free market
Allows people or businesses to make their own economic decisions without governmental interference
How the rule of Great Britain relates to the United States
Taxes
Liberty
Freedom
Social contract theory
People grant a group power and authority over them in return for protection and support