Types of Government
A system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government.
Monarchy
The first ten amendments in the US Constitution.
The Bill of Rights
An economic system that emphasizes freedom of choice and individual incentive.
Capitalism
Branch of the government that makes laws and has the power to levy taxes.
Legislative Branch
An institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people under its control.
A system of government in which the government has total control
Totalitarian
The idea that people are chosen by a god or gods to rule.
Divine Right
An economic system where the central government directs all major economic decisions.
Communism
Branch of government, led by a governor or president, who has the power to carry out state laws.
Executive Branch
Government in which the people rule.
Democracy
A government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to the people, exercise that power.
Republic
A system where there are two chambers in congress that both have a level of authority.
Bicameral Legislature
An economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as health care and welfare.
Socialism
Branch of government that upholds and interprets laws.
Judicial Branch
A system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control.
Dictatorship
A system of government in which a small group holds power.
Oligarchy
A list of items in the Constitution, that set forth the authoritative capacity of Congress.
Enumerated Powers
A shared good or service for which it would be inefficient or impractical to make consumers pay for individually or exclude non-payers.
Public Good
Statement in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States “shall be the supreme Law of the Land.”
Supremacy Clause
The working class.
Proletariat
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments.
Federal System
Theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state, in turn, agrees to protect its citizens.
Social Contract Theory
Describe the difference between cash transfers and in-kind benefits. What are examples of each?
Cash Transfers - Direct monetary payments to eligible people. Ex. Welfare, Social Security, Unemployment
In-kind Benefits - Benefits given for free or at reduced cost to eligible people. Ex. Food Stamps, Subsidized Housing, Medicare, Medicaid.
The power of government to take private property for public use.
Eminent Domain
Capitalists who own the means of production.
Bourgeoisie