Vocabulary
Government Theories
Purposes of Government
100

This is the organization by which the state maintains order, provides public services, and enforces decisions over the people living in it territory. 

Government 

100

This is the earliest government developed from family.  In many cultures, the father was head of the family.  He governed what the family did.

Evolutionary Theory 

100

Government is able to maintain  ______________ and _____________ because its citizens have given it this power.  This provides a way for people to live in peace.  

Law and Order 
200

______ is a group of people living in a definite territory who have a government with the power to make and enforce laws without having to ask permission from a higher authority 

State

200

This claims that first governments were established using weapons.

Force Theory

200

Government provides _____________ _________________.  This means the government works to ensure the general welfare, or well-being, of the people.   

Public Services 

300

  The government can  ______________, or force people to obey it.  

Coercive 

300
According to this theory, a ruler holds power because he or she is a god or was chosen by the gods to rule.  

Divine Right 

300

The  national government sets foreign policy and maintains the armed forces for national defenses.  It also directs the nation's response to external threats, like the war on terrorism.  

National Security 

400

Another word for state is ____________. 

Nation

400

According to this theory, the ruler and the people who were ruled entered into a contract.  If the ruler failed to honor the rights of the people, the people could overthrow the ruler.  

Social Contract Theory 

400

The government makes _________________ ________________________ that affects the economy and economic activities of businesses and individuals.  The power to tax is one way the government this activity.  

Economic Decisions 

500

List 3 types of governments 

Local, State and Federal