Branches of Gov
What are the 3 branches of government?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
In this type of government, the people vote on and propose laws themselves.
Direct Democracy
Origin of the State: What is Divine Right Theory?
The divine right theory holds that God created the state, making it sovereign.
The government is made up of those chosen by God to rule a certain territory. The population must obey their ruler.
What is a direct democracy or a pure democracy?
ALL the people pass laws by discussing and voting on them in meetings, such as town meetings.
Where is the power in a unitary government?
all power belongs to the central government, which may grant some powers to local governments.
Which branch of government is responsible for making laws?
Legislative
Type of government where a single person has total control over a country.
Autocracy (or dictatorship)
Origin of the State: What is Evolutionary Theory?
The evolutionary theory says that a population formed out of primitive families.
The heads of these families became the government.
When these families settled in one territory and claimed it as their own, they became a sovereign state.
What is an indirect democracy (representative democracy)?
The people elect agents who make and carry out the laws.
These representatives rule with the consent of the governed and can be removed by the people at election time.
Where is the power in a federal government?
Power is divided between a central government and several local governments, usually according to a constitution.
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
Judicial
This type of government is run by a small group of people.
Oligarchy
Origin of the State: What is Force Theory?
The force theory holds that an individual or group claims control over a territory and forces the population to submit.
The state then becomes sovereign and those in control form a government.
What is an example of a DUTY a citizen has.
What is an example of a RESPONSIBILITY a citizen has.
Duties:
Serving on a jury
Serving as a witness
Attending school
Paying taxes
Obeying local, state, and national laws
Draft registration
Respecting the rights of others
Responsibilities:
Voting
Volunteering
Participating in civic life
Understanding the workings of our government
What is an example of checks and balances that can be seen in our government?
An example explaining how power is seperated between branches.
Which branch of Government includes the President?
Executive
This type of government, a single leader rules the country and then passes on power to their children when they pass away or resign.
Monarchy
What are the 4 characteristics of a State?
Every state has a population, whether large or small, diverse or homogeneous.
A state must have territory and land with known and recognized boundaries.
Every state has sovereignty, the absolute power within its own territory to decide domestic and foreign policies.
Each state has a government, a political organization to make and enforce its policies.
Why is our government considered a constitution-based federal republic?
-We have a constitution
-Federal=power divided
-Republic= people vote for us
What is free enterprise? (capitalism)
an economic system based on private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition.
Individuals, not the government, decide what to make, how to make it, at what price to sell it, and whether to buy it.
Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws?
Executive
In this type of government, the people/citizens vote for leaders who serve their interests. Our government.
Representative Democracy
What is Social Contract Theory?
This theory holds that
the people chose to give
the state has enough power
to promote the well-being of
everyone and that all political
power comes from the will of
the people.
What are the 5 basic concepts of democracy?
Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person
Respect for the equality of all persons
Faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights
Acceptance of the necessity of compromise
Insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom
What is the purpose of government?
Government offers domestic tranquility, or peace at home, by providing law and order.
Government provides for the nation’s defense by maintaining armed forces and safe-guarding national security.
Promotes the general welfare of citizens by providing services, such as public education, that benefit all or most people.
The government helps secure the blessings of liberty by guaranteeing many individual rights and liberties.