Forms
Unlimited Government
governments power is unrestricted.
Constitutional Monarchy
A government in which a king or queen is limited by a constitution or set of laws.
Constitution
the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it.
Direct Democracy
when the people vote on ALL laws and issues
Unitary system
a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority.
Authoritarian
a concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the people
a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.
Oligarchy
a form of government characterized by the rule of a few persons or families
Rule of Law
every person is subject to the law, even those ruling.
Federal system
a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government.
Dictatorship
a government or a social situation where one person makes all the rules and decisions without input from anyone else
Republic
a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives
Cult of Personality
a situation in which a public figure (such as a political leader) is deliberately presented to the people of a country as a great person who should be admired and loved
Separation of power
the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.
Confederal System
a type of government made up of a league of independent nations or states. Each state is independent and has its own authority and autonomy, but they come together for some sort of shared government.
Absolute Monarchy
the king or queen is by no means limited and has absolute power.
Monarchy
a country ruled by a king or queen who gains power hereditarily.
Propaganda
the spreading of ideas, information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person.
Consent of the governed
the idea that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented, or agreed to, by the people over which that political power is exercised.
Legislative Body
elected representatives, who consider matters brought forth by the governor or introduced by its members to create legislation that becomes law.
Limited Government
Divine Right Theory
Kings derived their authority from God and could not therefore be held accountable for their actions by any earthly authority such as a parliament.
Representative Democracy
type of democracy where elected delegates represent a group of people
Rights of minority
allows for citizens to maintain individual rights while following the direction of the majority.
Civic participation
Citizens need to participate in government, both through voting and holding positions.