Vocab
What is Government?
Institution through which society makes/enforces its public policies
Describe what a federal government is...
The powers of government are divided up between a central and several local governments
Democracy insists upon individual freedom. Does this mean that any citizen can do anything that they want? Explain your answer.
No. Individual freedom does not mean citizens can do absolutely anything they want.
People have freedoms, but those freedoms can be limited by laws in order to protect others freedom.
What is the purpose of having a representative government?
So the people in a state can elect leaders to represent them in government on their behalf.
Why are governments important? What would happen if a society did not have a system of government?
Government provides rules and order for society. Without government, there could be chaos and conflict.
What is a State?
A body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make/enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority
Describe what a dictatorship looks like...
A type of government where the power rests with one person/group of people whose rule can not be held responsible to the will of the people
Explain the idea of free & fair elections in a democracy?
The idea that citizens are able to choose leaders and representatives
What does it mean to have a limited government?
Government power is restricted by laws and a written constitution.
What two ancient civilizations do we get our ideas of government from?
Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome
What does Sovereign mean?
A state having supreme and absolute power within its own territory
What type of government would you see a religious leader as the head of a state?
A Theocracy.
What is the saying in the Declaration of Independence that represents the idea of equality in ALL people?
"All men are created equal"
The United States government falls under the term of a constitutional-republic. What makes our country fall under that category of government?
The United States Constitution.
All government must have at least one of three of the following things to be considered a government. What are all three of those things?
A legislative branch, an executive branch, a judicial branch
What does Democracy mean?
Type of government where political power rest with the people
What is an example of a country where there is a monarchy established as head-of-state?
Great Britain
Explain the concept of majority rule, minority rights. Why do we defer to the opinion of the majority in a democracy? What would happen to a democracy if the majority crushed the minority?
Majority rule means that decisions are generally made according to the choice of more than half of the people.
Minority rights means that the rights of people who are in the smaller group must still be protected.
We defer to the majority in a democracy because democracy is based on the people having a voice in government, and the majority represents the greater number of citizens
If the majority crushed the minority, democracy would become unfair and could turn into majority tyranny.
What specific part of our government makes us fall under the category of a republic?
We elect leaders to represent us, all of whom govern under the same supreme law of the land; the U.S. Constitution
Determine if the following places can be described as sovereign. Explain why.
The United States of America -
The State of Iowa -
Canada -
The United States of America — YES
The United States is sovereign because it is an independent country with its own government and has authority over its territory.
The State of Iowa — NO
Iowa is not sovereign because it is part of the United States and does not have complete independent authority. The U.S. Constitution limits Iowa's power.
Canada — YES
Canada is sovereign because it is an independent country with its own government and authority over its territory.
What is a Citizen?
One who holds both rights and responsibilities in a state
Describe what a Unitary Government is?
The powers of government are concentrated into a single central/national government
Governments can be classified by who is allowed to participate in them. Explain how participation in government differs between a democracy and a dictatorship.
Democracy: Citizens are allowed to participate in government, usually by voting and electing representatives.
Dictatorship: Political power is controlled by one person or a small group, and citizens have little or no meaningful ability to participate in government.
Define a Republic
A republic is an idea of a government where the citizens elect representatives to make decisions and govern according to the law.
Name 4 out of the 5 things that ALL governments have the ability of doing...
Maintain social order
Provide public services
Provide national security
Manage the economy
Protect rights and liberties