GED Social Studies Flashcards

Types of Government

• Monarchy: A system where one individual from a royal family is the ruler.
• Dictatorship: Governance characterized by the absolute power of a single leader.
• Oligarchy: A form of government run by a small, elite class that is typically educated and privileged.
• Representative Democracy: A political system where citizens elect officials to represent their views and make decisions on their behalf.

Government Structure

• Central Government: Also termed as Federal Government, it refers to the primary governing body in a federal state.
• Legislative Branch: The segment of the federal government responsible for making laws.
• Executive Branch: This branch carries out and enforces laws enacted by the legislative branch.
• Judicial Branch: Interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly.
• Checks and Balances: A system designed to prevent any one branch of government from acquiring too much power.

Political Parties and Immigration

• Major Political Parties: The United States primarily recognizes two main political parties: Republicans and Democrats.
• Immigrants: Individuals who relocate to a different country for various reasons, including economic opportunities and safety.

Economic Systems and Indicators

• Basic Economic Systems: Three main systems include Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism, each differing in government involvement.
• Recession: A period marked by reduced productivity and income levels.
• Depression: A more severe and prolonged economic downturn than a recession.
• Inflation: The increase in the overall price level of goods and services in an economy.
• Deflation: A decrease in the general price level of goods and services.
• Communism: An economic framework with significant government control over production and distribution.
• Capitalism: An economic model characterized by minimal government interference in the economy.

Economic Measurements

• Federal Reserve System: Manages the U.S. economy by influencing monetary policy and maintaining balance.
• Gross Domestic Product (GDP): Represents the total value of all goods and services produced, indicating economic growth.
• Gross National Product (GNP): Measures GDP plus income generated from foreign investments.
• Consumer Price Index (CPI): Gauges changes in the cost of living over time.

Geographic and Climatic Concepts

• Topographical Maps: Provide detailed representations of landforms and terrain features.
• Elevation: Refers to the height of a geographical location above a reference point, typically sea level.
• Equator: The horizontal line that divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
• Prime Meridian: The vertical line that splits the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.
• Latitude: Represents the horizontal lines on the globe, indicating north-south position.
• Longitude: Vertical lines on the globe that designate east-west position.

Climate Types

• Tropical Climate: Characterized by hot, humid conditions with minimal seasonal variation.
• Temperate Climate: Defined by the presence of four distinct seasons throughout the year.
• Arctic Climate: Noted for its prolonged cold winters and brief cool summers.

Population Studies

• Demography: The statistical study of populations, focusing on birth, death, migration, and other changes.
• Rural Areas: Regions that are less developed, typically with significant agricultural land.
• Urban Areas: Densely populated regions featuring buildings, factories, and advanced infrastructure.
• Census: A systematic process for collecting and recording demographic information about a population.