Foundations of Democracy
rights that those not in the majority maintain to ensure democratic principles in society.
minority rights
alliance of independent states with very limited powers
confederation
power to execute, enforce, and administer laws
executive power
someone who holds both rights and has responsibilities in a state
citizen
a government where one person or a group of people has all of the power in a government
dictatorship
a belief that each and every person has value and needs to be treated with dignity and respect.
Worth of the individual
the legal system of a state is based on religious law
theocracy
what are all of the things government decides to do such as taxation, defense, education, healthcare, etc.
public policies
what is an institution which a society makes and enforces its public policies
government
people elect representatives to make government decisions for them
also called a representative democracy or a republic
indirect democracy
allowing each and every person the ability to make their own life choices without interference from the government to the greatest extent possible as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others
Insistence on individual freedom
system of shared powers in which the executive and legislative branches have separate powers. The two branches are independent of one another and are coequal.
presidential government
the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis
division of powers
coming up with agreements that balance competing interests to find the most acceptable result for everyone.
compromise
the private area of American life outside of government institutions or interference.
civil society
policies are decided by a vote of a majority of citizens
majority rule
the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite
oligarchy
power to make laws
Legislative power
government where the supreme power rests with the people.
democracy
a single person holds unlimited political power
autocracy
every person has equal rights including equality of opportunity and equality before the law.
equality of all persons
every person votes on policies and represents themself
direct democracy
a centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single, central agency
unitary government
what is having power to rule within a certain territory
sovereignty
an economic system in which individuals and businesses make their own decisions about what and how much is produced with minimal government interference.
free enterprise system
important to ensure that everyone’s needs are met to the best extent possible when society is made up of many people with different opinions and interests.
Necessity of compromise
form of government in which the executive branch is made up of the prime minister, or premier, and that official’s cabinet; this branch is part of the legislature. The prime minister must be from the majority party.
parliamentary government
power to interpret laws and settle disputes
judicial power
a body of people that includes population, territory, sovereignty, and government
state
your role as a citizen of a larger community including obeying the law, paying taxes, and being informed and voting.
civic responsibilities