Forms of Government
This form of government features rule by a small group of individuals whose authority is typically dictated by wealth.
What is an Oligarchy?
Fundamental privileges like life, liberty, and property that every person possesses simply by being human.
What are Natural Rights?
This term describes the state-led, gradual dismantling or weakening of democratic institutions, civil liberties, and norms over time.
What is Democratic Backsliding?
Outlined in Article I of the Constitution, this branch of government is primarily responsible for making laws.
What is the Legislative Branch?
Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, such as levying taxes.
What are Concurrent Powers?
In this type of government, supreme power is held by a single ruler, such as a king or queen, whose leadership is passed down through family lines.
What is a Monarchy?
An implicit agreement where individuals surrender some of their personal freedom to a government in exchange for protection and order.
What is the Social Contract?
Extending presidential term limits or redrawing voting maps to favor the party in power falls under this first step of democratic backsliding.
What is Rewriting the Rules?
The Executive Branch’s primary check on the Legislative Branch, used when the President refuses to sign a bill into law.
What is a Veto?
Deploying the military for national defense or using local police forces to enforce state laws fulfills this primary purpose of government.
What is Maintaining Order & Security?
A system of government guided by religious text and led by religious officials, resulting in limited separation between church and state.
What is a Theocracy?
The principle that ultimate political power rests in the hands of the people, who give their consent to be governed.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
Replacing independent judges with party loyalists is an example of this step in democratic erosion.
What is Sidelining Referees?
System of government that divides power between the national government and state governments.
What is Federalism?
Building interstate highways, maintaining public schools, and managing local water systems fall under this governmental function.
What is Providing Public Goods & Services?
Contrast this system—where citizens directly vote on policies—with representative democracy, where voters elect leaders to make laws on their behalf.
What is a Direct Democracy?
Unlike written, legally binding rules, these are unwritten expectations enforced through public opinion or political pressure.
What are Norms?
Silencing independent media organizations.
What is Muting Critics & Media?
Powers specifically listed in the U.S. Constitution as belonging exclusively to the national government, such as declaring war.
What are Expressed Powers (or Enumerated Powers)?
Landmark 1819 Supreme Court case establishing that federal law is supreme over state law and confirming Congress has implied powers.
What is McCulloch v. Maryland?
Defined as the complete absence of government or central authority, resulting in no formal laws or leaders.
What is Anarchy?
Formal, legally binding rules established by our Constitution or statutes.
What are Laws?
Examples of this action include bribing voters, disqualifying rival candidates, redrawing voting maps, or only allowing for one candidate to dominate the media.
What is Tilting Elections?
Constitutional amendment stating that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.
What is the 10th Amendment?
Enforcing constitutional protections like free speech, due process, and voting rights satisfies this core function.
What is Protecting Rights & Liberties?