Gov 1
The institution that allows a society to make and enforce public policies
Government
A form of government in which the leader (one person or a small group) has absolute power and authority
Dictatorship
The main unit of government in the world today
State
Holds that God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a "divine right" to rule
Divine Right Theory
Unites the state governments and the American people
Form a More Perfect Union
The power to make laws and to frame public policies
Legislative Power
A form of government in which the supreme power lies in the people
Democracy
An ethnic term referring to races or other large groups of people
Nation
Holds that the people choose to give the state enough power to promote the well being of everyone and that all political power comes from the will of the people
Social Contract Theory
Attempting to create and administer laws in a fair, reasonable, and impartial fashion
Establish Justice
The power to execute, enforce, and administer laws
Executive Power
The people elect agents who make and carry out the laws
Indirect Democracy
A geographic term referring to a particular place, region, or land
Country
All power belongs to the central government, which may grant some powers to local government
Unitary Government
Providing law and order
Domestic Tranquility
The power to interpret laws and settle disputes
Judicial
One person holds total political power
Autocracy
Four Basic Characteristics of a State
Population, territory, sovereignty, and government
Power is divided between a central government and several local governments according to a constitution
Federal Government
Maintaining armed forces and safe guarding national security
Provides for the Nations Defense
Guaranteeing many individual rights and liberties
Help Secure the Blessings of Liberty
A small elite group shares political power
Oligarchy
The absolute power within its own territory to decide domestic and foreign policies
Sovereignty
An alliance of independent governments that grant limited powers to a central government
Confederate Government
Provides services
Promotes the General Welfare