Functions of Government
Government officials set priorities and make decisions on behalf of the people
Providing leadership.
A sizeable group of people who believe themselves united by common bonds of ethnicity, language, custom, or religion.
Nation
Theory that the state evolved from the family. Says that governments evolved from the need to organize extended families during prehistoric times.
Evolutionary Theory
All key powers of government are given to the central government.
Unitary System
Governments that control all aspects of citizens' economic, social, and political life.
Authoritarian.
Governments try to control and contain conflict between people by passing laws and making rules that place limits on what individuals are permitted to do.
Maintaining order.
A political entity that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government.
A state.
Theory that states emerged when people needed to cooperate to survive but could only become organized when one or more people took power and used the threat of violence to control others.
Force Theory.
A loose union of independent and sovereign states.
Confederacy.
Power is in the hands of one person and the ruler has total control.
Dictatorship
Governments create schools, build sewer systems, pave roads, and provide other services that individuals could or would not do on their own to promote health and safety.
Providing public services.
The ability of a government to make and enforce its own laws without approval from another authority.
Sovereignty.
The idea that certain individuals are chosen by a god or gods to rule.
System of government that divides and shares powers between the national, tate, and local governments.
Federal System.
Power belongs to a small group of people.
Oligarchy
Governments provide defense to protect the people against attacks and terrorists.
Providing national security.
A word that has the same meaning as a state.
Country
People surrender freedoms to a government in exchange for order and security.
Social Contract Theory.
A plan that provides the rules for a government. Sets out ideals that the people are bound by, establishes the basic structure of the government and defines the government's powers and duties.
Constitution.
One person has all the power and justifies their rule by claiming to be appointed by a god or gods.
Monarchy.
Governments protect the economic security of their people by negotiating trade deals, protecting businesses important to the economy, and encouraging economic growth and stability through trade and regulation of natural resources.
Providing economic security.
A government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of government and on the people who govern.
Constitutional Government.
System of government in which rule is by the people, either through representatives or directly by voting.
Democracy.