Origins of Government
This series of changes in thinking about the world and society began in the 1600s in Europe.
The Enlightenment.
BONUS: What "revolution" occurred prior that influenced Enlightenment thinking?
This philosopher believed that in a state of nature, life was nasty, brutish and short.
Hobbes
This distribution of power is used in the US today
Federal
In this system, the executive is chosen BY the legislature.
Parliamentary
In this type of government, leaders have unlimited political and social power over their citizens
Totalitarian dictatorship
This theory of power states that government developed naturally over time as human societies grew in size.
Evolutionary theory
This philosopher believed that a government's most important responsibility was to communicate the will of the population.
Rousseau
This distribution of power is the most common globally
Unitary
In this system, the executive serves a fixed term.
Presidential
In this type of government, a small group of people rule.
Oligarchy
This theory of power states that government developed as a consequence of individual strength
Force theory
This feature of a government requires rulers/leaders to obey the same laws as citizens.
Rule of law
This is the distribution of power the US used prior to the Constitution
Confederate
In this system, the citizens get to vote for the executive directly.
Presidential
In this type of government, political leaders have unchecked power over the public lives of their citizens.
Authoritarian
This theory of power uses religion to justify government
Divine right
These TWO documents were influenced by the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
Declaration of Independence and Constitution
In this system, power is shared between local and national governments
Federal
In this system, the system of checks and balances is stronger.
Presidential
In this type of government, citizens vote on policies and legislation in addition to choosing their leaders.
Direct democracy
The most recent theory of power, which states that government results from the consent of the governed
Social Contract
This philosopher believed that in a state of nature, man was likely to invade the rights of others.
Locke
In this system, which is not used nationally today, local governments give specific powers to a central government
Confederate
In this system, the legislature can replace the executive if they no longer approve of their leadership.
Parliamentary
This is also known as a republican form of government, which is used in the US.
Indirect/representative democracy