Citizens & Governments
What system lets citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf?
Representative democracy / republic
What economic system is based mainly on private ownership and consumer choice?
Market economy (or free market)
How does a monarchy typically get power if it is an absolute monarchy?
Heredity (birthright) / inheritance
Who wrote about laissez-faire economics and is considered an Enlightenment thinker influential to free market ideas?
Adam Smith
If many businesses compete to sell cars, name one direct benefit to consumers.
Lower prices, better quality, more choices.
What is the term for a government in which religious leaders hold political power and religious law is used?
Theocracy
What do we call an economy where the government controls major industries and production decisions?
Command economy
What distinguishes a constitutional monarchy from an absolute monarchy?
Constitutional monarchy: monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution or laws; often a ceremonial role.
Define "divine right" as used by some monarchs historically.
Divine right: belief that monarch’s authority comes from God
If a country's factories are all government-owned, which economic system is this and why?
Command economy — because government ownership controls production decisions.
Name two civic actions citizens typically do in a democracy that they cannot do in a dictatorship.
vote in free elections; petition government; run for office; join political parties
Identify one advantage and one disadvantage of a mixed economy.
Advantage: combines efficiency of markets with government safety nets; Disadvantage: potential for inefficiency or conflicting policies.
Describe one similarity and one key difference between dictatorships and absolute monarchies.
Similarity: centralized power; Difference: dictators usually seize power, monarchs inherit it (and some monarchies have legal limits)
What is "laissez-faire" economics? Give one example of a policy that would follow this idea.
Laissez-faire: minimal government interference in markets; e.g., low taxes and few business regulations.
A country moves from decisions based on tradition to decisions based on competition and consumer choice. What economic transition is this? Explain briefly.
From a traditional economy to a market economy.
Define "oligarchy" and give one historical or modern example (country or group) that fits the definition.
rule by a small group (e.g., historical Sparta, certain military juntas, or oligarchic elites in some states)
Explain how a traditional economy decides what to produce, using a specific example from farming or craft traditions.
Decisions based on custom — e.g., subsistence farmers plant crops their community has always grown and trade locally.
In a parliamentary system, how is the head of government chosen, and how can that leader be removed?
Prime minister is leader of majority party in parliament and can be removed by vote of no confidence or losing majority; chosen by legislature/party.
Explain how the ideas of the Enlightenment influenced the development of representative governments (two specific ideas).
Examples: idea of natural rights, separation of powers, social contract — these promoted representative assemblies and constitutional limits.
A nation holds free elections but the military controls most real decisions behind the scenes. Would you call this a full democracy? Explain using terms like "civilian control" and "legitimacy."
No; it's a flawed or hybrid system because military control undermines civilian oversight and legitimacy.
Explain the meaning of "rule by the consent of the governed" and how it connects to legitimacy in a republic.
Means rulers govern with approval of the people (usually via elections); in a republic, consent gives legitimacy and limits arbitrary power.
Compare and contrast command, market, and traditional economies in terms of who answers the three basic economic questions: What to produce? How to produce? For whom?
Command: government decides all three; Market: individuals/businesses decide; Traditional: customs/tradition decide.
A military general closes the legislature, ignores the constitution, and declares himself president. Identify the form of government created and explain two ways this regime differs from a constitutional republic.
Dictatorship; differs by lack of constitutional limits and likely suppression of civil liberties; no regular, competitive elections with meaningful transfers of power.
Analyze how the presence of secret police, censorship, and lack of free press function together to support authoritarian rule. Give a short example of how these tools limit opposition.
Secret police monitor and intimidate opponents; censorship controls information; lack of free press prevents organized opposition — together they suppress dissent (example: state-run media praising government and jailing journalists).
"A leader serves as head of government and is also the top member of the legislature; when his party loses majority he must step down." Identify the system described, explain how leadership accountability works in this system, and compare it to how the U.S. president is held accountable.
Parliamentary democracy; leader accountable to legislature and majority party (can be removed by vote), while U.S. president is elected separately by voters and constrained by checks and balances and fixed terms.