People and Government
Constitution
a document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government.
Republic
a form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Democracy
a form of government in which citizens govern themselves
Nation
a group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion
Political party
a group which tries to be elected into power on the basis of its policies
Confederacy
a loose union of independent states
State
a politically organized body of people under a single government
Social contract
an agreement in which people give power to a government in exchange for its protections
Dictatorship
an individual or group holds complete political power
Unitary system
form of government in which all key powers are given to the national government
Federal system
form of government that divides powers between the states and the federal government
Monarchy
state ruled over by a single person, as a king or queen
Government
the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Sovereignty
the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries
