Foundations of Government
A system where a single person holds unlimited political power.
What is autocracy?
A government in which powers are divided between national and local governments.
What is federalism?
The body of fundamental laws setting out the principles and structure of government.
What is the Constitution?
The right to vote.
What is suffrage?
Sources of information that reach many people at once, such as TV or internet news.
Sources of information that reach many people at once, such as TV or internet news.
A government where a small, self-appointed elite holds the power.
What is oligarchy?
The idea that power is divided between national and state levels.
What is the division of powers?
Powers not given to the federal government but kept by the states.
What are reserved powers?
All the people who are eligible to vote.
What is the electorate?
Groups of people with shared attitudes who try to influence government.
What are interest groups?
The institution that makes and enforces public policy for a society.
What is government?
A government where the executive is independent and co-equal with the legislature.
What is a presidential government?
Powers shared by both federal and state governments.
What are concurrent powers?
A tax once required to vote, used to suppress certain groups.
What is a poll tax?
A small meeting of party members to select candidates.
What is a caucus?
A government where one person or small group holds absolute authority without regard to the people’s will.
What is a dictatorship?
A government where the executive is chosen by and part of the legislature.
What is a parliamentary government?
A lawmaking body made of two chambers.
What is bicameral?
Voting only for candidates of one political party across the ballot.
What is straight ticket voting?
Smaller parties that challenge the major parties.
What are third parties?
The four characteristics of a state are population, territory, government, and this final element.
What is sovereignty?
An alliance of independent states with a weak central government.
What is a confederation?
A principle stating that government is not all-powerful and must obey the law.
What is limited government?
Voting for candidates of different parties on the same ballot.
What is split ticket voting?
Organizations that raise money to influence elections or public policy.
What are Political Action Committees (PACs)?