American Gov. Ch.1 Test

why do you think that the ideal of liberty is important to the free enterprise system?

Because free enterprise allows for people and businesses to make their own choices about how to best produce, distribute and produce goods with limited interference from the government.

What is the "rule of law"?

Everyone must follow the law

dictatorship

a system of rule in which one person, a dictator, or a small group of people can hold unlimited power over government

divine right of kings

a theory put forth by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet that the king is answerable only to God, not the people he ruled

free enterprise

an economic system in which people and businesses make their own choices about how best to produce, distribute, and exchange goods and services, with limited interference from the government

republic

an indirect form of democracy that places political decision making at least one step away from the people; instead, people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf

policy

any decision made by government in pursuit of a particular goal

what form of government has elected representatives that make decisions on behalf of the people

representative democracy

ideal

a conception of something in its most perfect form

power

the government's authority and ability to get things done

parliamentary system

a system of government in which the legislative and executive branches are combined

what are the main differences between federal, unitary, and confederal systems?

The main difference between the three is that the federal form splits with national along with state governments, the unitary form rests in the power of the states and confederal gives all the power to the national government.

Why was protecting economic freedom important to the founders?

They believed economic freedom allowed people to build wealth that would empower them to limit the power of government. key to preserve other freedoms.

majority rule

a decision-making system in which the candidate who receives more than half the votes cast, or more votes than any other candidate, wins the election

oligarchy

a dictatorship led by a small group of people; means "rule by a few"

liberal democracy

a form of democracy that protects the rights of the minority

state

a political community made up by a group of people that lives within a clearly defined territory

presidential system

a system of government distinguished by having a president who is elected by the people for a limited term of office

monarchy

a system of government headed by one person, such as a king or queen, who exercises absolute authority

confederal system

a system of government in which a confederation of independent states form a central government to pursue common interests

direct democracy

a system of government in which citizens meet regularly in a popular assembly to discuss issues and vote for leaders

federal system

a system of government in which power over people and territory is divided between a national government and smaller, regional levels of government

unitary system

a system of government in which sovereignty, or ultimate authority, rests in a single national government

what is an example of limited government

constitutional monarchy

What are the ideals of American Democracy?

liberty, equality, self-government

why did the framers of the U.S Constitution fear majority rule?

majority rule would pose a threat to the rights of individuals

liberty

the ability of people to act and think as they choose, as long as their choices do no harm to the liberty or well-being of others

self-government

the belief that ordinary people could aspire to rule themselves and do so as political equals

government

the formal structures and institutions through which decisions are made for a body of people

minority rights

the political rights held by groups who make up less than half of the population

politics

the process by which government makes and carries out decisions as to whose interests will be served in society

sovereignty

the supreme power of the state to act within its territory

equality

them to fair treatment under the law and equal opportunity in all aspects of life the principle that all people possess a fundamental, moral worth that entitles

social contract theory

theory of rule that says the first governments formed as a result of people agreeing among themselves to submit to the authority of a state, which in turn would protect and support them

legitimacy

when rulers are seen as right and proper by important segments of a nation's population