American Government Chapter 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a State?

A government with no borders

An organization that enforces international agreements

A defined border in which a government works within (correct)

A territory without any laws

What is a Policy?

An agreement made to reach a certain goal (correct)

A rule made by an organization

A law passed by the legislative body

A decision made by a court

What does Government refer to?

A collection of laws

Formal structures and institutions for making decisions (correct)

A group of influential people in society

An economic system in place

What is Legitimacy?

The right to rule according to significant segments of a nation's population Signup and view all the answers

What is Sovereignty?

The supreme power to act within one's own territory Signup and view all the answers

What does Social Contract mean?

People give up some rights to the state for protection Signup and view all the answers

What is Liberal Democracy?

A political system where individual rights are protected Signup and view all the answers

What is the Divine Right of Kings?

A theory that supports absolute monarchy Signup and view all the answers

What does Liberty refer to?

The ability to act and think as desired without harming others Signup and view all the answers

What does Self-Government mean?

Belief that people can rule themselves as political equals Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a Federal System?

Power divided between the national and regional governments, both making laws Signup and view all the answers

What is a Republic?

A form of government where people elect representatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important function of government?

National security Signup and view all the answers

What do majority rule and minority rights pertain to?

Protection of political rights for all people Signup and view all the answers

What were Hobbes' ideas about government?

Hobbes believed that in a 'state of nature,' people give up personal freedom to gain peace. Signup and view all the answers

What did Rousseau believe about human nature?

Rousseau believed that people are naturally good but society corrupts them. Signup and view all the answers

What was Locke's belief regarding natural rights?

Locke believed that people have natural rights that must be protected and can rebel if the government does not. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following forms of government with their definitions:

Monarchy = Government headed by one person, usually a king or queen with absolute power Dictatorship = One person or a small group holds unlimited power and forces decisions Democracy = People elect representatives to govern on their behalf Theocracy = Government ruled by religious leaders Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of the presidential system?

More time taken for passing laws Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of the parliamentary system?

Very easy to make laws Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of Government

State: A defined political unit with established borders where a government enforces laws over its population.
Government: A structured institution responsible for making decisions on behalf of a group of people.
Legitimacy: The recognized right to govern by significant portions of a population.
Sovereignty: Authority to govern and make decisions within a territory, including control over external relations.

Political Theories

Social Contract: The concept that individuals surrender certain freedoms to create a government that provides protection.
Natural Law: Universal rules derived from nature, asserting that certain rights cannot be violated.
Liberal Democracy: A system ensuring the protection of individual rights for all citizens.

Economic Systems

Free Enterprise: Economic freedom allowing individuals and businesses to make their own production, distribution, and exchange choices.

Governance Models

Monarchy: A government led by a single ruler, typically a king or queen, holding supreme authority.
Absolute Monarchy: A form of monarchy where the ruler's power is unlimited.
Constitutional Monarchy: A monarchy where the ruler's powers are restricted by law.

Forms of Government

Dictatorship: Governance by one person or a small group with absolute authority, often maintained through force.
Totalitarianism: A political system where every aspect of life is controlled by the government.
Oligarchy: Rule by a small, elite group, often rich and influential individuals.
Theocracy: A system where religious leaders govern, and the state's power is derived from religious authority.
Republic: A form of government where officials are elected to represent the people's interests.
Direct Democracy: Citizens directly participate in decision-making, with authority held by the populace.

Democratic Principles

Majority Rule: The principle that the option receiving more than half the votes prevails.
Minority Rights: Protections for political rights of groups not in the majority.
Rule of Law: A legal principle ensuring that both government and citizens are subject to the same laws.
Compromise: A necessary process in decision-making where parties give up some demands to reach an agreement.
Citizen Participation: Involvement of citizens in governmental processes is essential for a functioning democracy.

Functions of Government

National Security: Primary responsibility of government to protect citizens from external threats.
Conflict Resolution: Government mediates disputes to maintain peace and order.
Common Good: Initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the public.
Order Maintenance: Implementation of laws and regulations to uphold social order.
Provision of Services: Governments offer essential services that meet the public's needs.

Influential Philosophers

Hobbes: Suggested that in a natural state, life is chaotic; people must give up freedoms for peace and security.
Rousseau: Believed that people are inherently good but corrupted by society; governance should reflect the people's will.
Locke: Advocated for the protection of natural rights, stating that rebellion is justified if the government fails to protect these rights.

Government Systems

Federal System: A division of power between a national government and regional authorities.
Confederal System: Independent states unite under a central government with limited authority, retaining control over their territories.
Unitary System: A single central government holds the ultimate authority over all political subdivisions.

Challenges in Governance

Presidential System: A system where a president is elected to share power with a legislative body, offering equal say among branches but potentially slowing law-making.
Parliamentary System: Combines executive and legislative functions, where a prime minister is elected from parliament, facilitating quicker law-making but limiting the prime minister’s autonomy against parliament.

Modern Concept of "Public"

Expanded to embrace inclusivity, recognizing diverse cultures and backgrounds in civil discourse and governance.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards covering key terms from Chapter 1 of American Government. Each card defines critical concepts such as 'State', 'Policy', and 'Government'. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their understanding of foundational government principles.