American Government Chapter 1 Flashcards

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.