Gov't Unit 1
a type of government in which the ruler/rulers have absolute authority over the people
Dictatorship
a dictatorship ruled by a small group
Oligarchy
The executive branch is part of the legislative branch in what type of government?
Parliamentary Government
executive branch is part of (and chosen by) the legislative branch
Parliamentary Government
Ideas of the Declaration of Independence.
People have certain natural rights. Government can exist only with the people's permission. The people may change or abolish the government.
What type of government has division of power between central and local governments and the central government has authority over the state and local governments?
federal
Name three charateristics of a state
population territory government
Examples of limited government in Magna Carta
1. gov't could not have say over church positions of power 2.king could demand more money in taxes 3. right to fair trial
Examples of limited government in Petition of Right
1. no quartering troops 2. no tax's without Parliament's approval 3. no person could be jailed without reason
Examples of limited government in English Bill of Rights
1. trial by jury 2. due process 3. no excessive fines/bails 4. no cruel punishment 5. right to bear arms 6. right to petition gov't
a central (national) government and several state and local governments share government power
Federal Government
What is the theme of Unit 1?
Foundations of Government and American Political Thought
Thomas Jefferson echoed which Enlightenment thinker when he said that all people have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?"
John Locke
How did Locke affect our concept of government?
natural rights, representative gov't
What would Locke, Hobbes, and Montesquieu would most likely agree upon?
the state exists to serve the will of the people.
Who wrote the Spirit of Laws?
Charles Montesquieu
a dictatorship in which one person holds the power
Autocracy
Name one disadvantage to a republic?
Decisions are made slowly
supreme authority over the government rests with the people
Democracy
Which country functions as a parliamentary system?
England
Describe the concept of limited government
Government must operate within certain bounds set by the people
The American Declaration of Independence announced that America was breaking from which European power?
Great Britain
Define government?
Institution though which a society carries out its public policies
Who wrote the Second Treatise of Civil Government?
John Locke
What best defines rule of law?
Laws apply to all people even government officials
Ideas in the Magna Carta
Limits Power of the King All people are under the Law Laws are written down
Executive and legislative branches are separate in what type of democracy?
Presidential Democracy
power is divided between the executive and legislative branches of government
Presidential Government
Arguments used against King George III in Delcaration of Independence
Taxation with Representation Quartering of Troops Cutting off trade with the world
Social Contract theory
The state was created voluntarily by a free people Governmental powers are granted by the people Governmental powers may be limited by the people.
Why does the United States not have a unitary form of government?
The states have certain rights reserved to them under the Constitution.
Who wrote Leviathan?
Thomas Hobbes
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
a single, central agency holds all governmental power
Unitary Government
Which country functions as an autocracy
United States
According to the social contract theory, the contract is what?
a constitution
Most of the declaration of independenc is made up of?
complaints of the wrongs done to the colonists
A loose union of independent states is known as what?
confederation
The Magna Carta was important because
established a limited government.
How did Montesquieu affect our concept of government?
democracy best form of gov't, 3 branches with checks and balances
In a democracy, the will of the majority cannot be used to what?
deprive rights to a member of a minority group.
Which group would be MOST threatened by the social contract theory?
divine right advocates
The Magna Carta, Petition of Rights, and English Bill of Rights all have what common factor?
limited the power of government.
What type of dictatorship is ruled by a small group of people?
oligarchy
How did Hobbes affect our concept of government?
provided justification for Declaring Independence b/c King George III not providing good gov't to colonists
In John Locke's Two Treatises of Government, he explains this theory.
social contract