Government Types
What are the three broad categories used to classify governments?
Democracy, oligarchy, and autocracy.
What are the three levels of American government?
National (federal), state, and local.
Where did the first significant example of pure democracy occur?
Athens, Greece.
In what two ways are all American citizens equal?
Equal before the law and equal in their political rights/opportunities.
How many main conditions does the text identify as necessary for successful democracy?
3
What type of government places political power in the hands of a small group?
Oligarchy.
Name the three branches of the national government.
Legislative, executive, and judicial.
What form of democracy allows citizens themselves to participate directly in governmental decisions?
Pure/direct democracy.
What is personal liberty?
Freedom to make choices concerning one's own life without unnecessary government interference.
Name one of the three main conditions necessary for successful democracy.
*name one
What do dictatorships usually rely on to maintain their power?
Force/coercion.
Which branch makes laws, which executes laws, and which interprets laws?
Legislative makes them, executive executes/enforces them, and judicial interprets them.
What form of democracy allows citizens to govern through elected representatives?
Indirect/representative democracy.
What is political liberty?
Freedom to participate in the political process/government.
What danger can arise when people lack economic opportunity?
Economic frustration can produce unrest and make people more susceptible to radical or authoritarian solutions.
In a parliamentary system, who chooses the executive leader?
The legislature/parliament (usually the parliamentary majority).
What powers are retained by the states?
Powers not delegated to the national government (reserved powers).
What human characteristic did the founders recognize that made direct democracy a poor choice for the United States?
Human selfishness/sinful human nature and the tendency to misuse power.
What is the difference between personal liberty and political liberty?
Personal liberty concerns freedom in one's private life; political liberty concerns participation in government.
How does moral responsibility help moderate majority rule?
It encourages people to exercise power responsibly and respect the rights and interests of others.
What is the key difference between a pure democracy and an indirect democracy?
In a pure democracy, citizens participate directly in governing; in an indirect democracy, citizens elect representatives to govern.
Name three subdivisions of local government identified in the section.
Counties, townships, and municipalities.
What features did the founders include in the Constitution to keep the majority from tyrannizing the minority?
Constitutional limitations that divide and limit government power, including representative government/separation of powers and protections for individual rights.
What is the difference between a popular majority and a representative majority?
A popular majority is a majority of the people themselves; a representative majority is a majority acting through elected representatives.
Name all three main conditions necessary for successful democracy.
Opportunity, an educated society, and moral responsibility.