american gov.

Direct Democracy

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

federal system versus unitary system

A unitary system is governed constitutionally as one single unit. federal is a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government

free enterprise

Capitalistic Economy in which competition is allowed to flourish with a minimum of government interference

John Locke

English philosopher who advocated the idea of a social contract theory.

the three branches of government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Social Contract Theory

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right john locke

Majority Rights

The benefits of government that cannot be denied to any citizen by majority decisions.

minority rights

The benefits of government that cannot be denied to any citizen by majority decisions.

Preamble to the Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Representative Democracy

a form of democracy in which citizens elect officials to govern on their behalf

autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power.

prime minsiter

chosen by the legislature

Tyranny

cruel and unjust use of power

judical

having to do with judges, the law, or the courts

president

is elected by the people

Neccisity of compromise

means blending and adjusting different view points on a topic or in other words, give and take

Fuedalism

political system based on bonds of loyalty between lords and vassals

Democracy in Ancient Greece

rule of the few

Divine Right of Kings

the belief that the authority of kings comes directly from God

excutive

the branch of government that carries out laws

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

goverment

the governing body of a nation, state, or community.

public policy

the principles, often unwritten, on which social laws are based.

Sovereignty

the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries

Checks and Balances

used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch