Origins & Theories of Government
New ideas about government began to develop during the 17th century during this progressive philosophical movement
The Enlightenment.
Much like the U.S., many larger nations around the world have opted for this government structure
Federalism
In order to be considered a state, naturally, a nation must have this...the U.S. 340 million.
people/population
Much like in ancient Athens, citizens both elect their leaders and participate in day to day policy decisions in this now larger unpractical form of democracy
Direct Democracy
In this type of government, leaders embodied by Hitler, Stalin, and Kim have unlimited political AND social power over their citizens
Totalitarian dictatorship
When it comes to the "state of democracy" in the world, recent studies would suggest that is increasing, constant, or declining.
Declining
This cynical philosopher believed that in a state of nature, life would be nasty, brutish and short.
Thomas Hobbes
By far, this is most common structure of government in the world today...and despite it's name, it's not always a dictatorship.
Unitary
This characteristic of a state can vary tremendously...yet both Vatican City and Russia are both considered states.
Territory
While the U.S. hasn't always fully lived up to this principle, a true democracy is supposed to offer this all of its citizens.
Equality
In this style of government, citizens vote for leaders to represent their beliefs.
Representative Democracy (aka Republic or indirect democracy)
While all structures of government have flaws, perhaps all are better than the lack of government all together, a state known by this term
Anarchy
Both Hobbes and Locke were shaped, albeit in different ways, by this dramatic event in their English homeland in the mid 1600s.
English Civil War
In this system of government, the Head of Government is chosen by the legislative branch.
Parliamentary
Whether it be unitary or federal, or democratic or authoritarian, all states have this.
A government
While the U.S. is "loosely" called a democracy, more accurately, it can be described as this.
Indirect/representative democracy
In this type of government, political leaders have unchecked power over the public lives of their citizens.
Authoritarian
Historically speaking, up until just a few centuries ago, just about every government that ever existed would be considered to be one of these.
A monarchy
According to Locke, the most important role of government was to protects these from being taken or abused by others
Natural Rights
Although very rare today, the U.S. has TWO iterations of this government structure associated with its history.
Confederation
Within plus or minus 10, today, about there are about this many states in the world
195
In this system, the system of checks and balances is stronger.
Presidential
In this type of government, citizens vote on policies and legislation in addition to choosing their leaders.
Direct democracy
Unlike the parliamentary system which can change it's chief executive suddenly, the system has set term limits for its chief executive.
Presidential
Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau all had different ideas about why man entered into this with their government.
Social Contract
In this system, the legislature can replace the executive if they no longer approve of their leadership.
Parliamentary
While it meets 3 of the characteristics of a state, Delaware is NOT a state because it lacks this.
Sovereignty
One of the key components that allows democracy to thrive is the willingness of both majority and minority factions to do this
Compromise
Generally, this system of government where a small group of people rule a nation has leaned towards authoritarianism.
Oligarchy
When it comes to a government's "balance of power", the majority of the world's nations have adopted this system.
Parliamentary
According to this government theorist, a government's must important responsibility was to reflect the "will of the people"
Jean Jacques Rousseau
In this type of government found throughout out much of Africa and the Middle East, rulers have "unchecked" power over the public lives of their citizens.
Authoriatarian
Perhaps the earliest attempt to "check" the powers of state was this, which was a product of events in England in 1215.
The Magna Carta
In a democracy, citizens are asked to fulfill conscription mandates, pay taxes, and respect the law in accordance with this expectation of citizens.
Responsibilities
The most restrictive governments in the world both today and throughout history have curtailed "participation in government" by eliminating these events.
Elections
When it comes to the distribution, balance, "openness" of American government, our nation would be best described by these THREE terms
Federal, Presidential, Republic (or indirect democracy)