Government Test #1

The belief that a monarch's authority comes directly from God, making them absolute.

A system of government where citizens directly participate in decision-making, often through meetings and votes.

An English philosopher who argued for natural rights and limited government.

The idea that a government's legitimacy depends on the agreement of its citizens.

The principle that everyone, including rulers, is accountable to and subject to the law.

The first governing document of the newly independent United States, creating a weak central government.

A system of governance where the central authority has limited power compared to state or local governments.

A system where governmental power is restricted by law to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny.

Inherent rights that belong to all individuals by virtue of their humanity. These rights cannot be taken away by any government or authority.

The branch of government responsible for enforcing the laws made by the legislature.

The branch of government responsible for interpreting the Constitution and deciding if laws are constitutional.

The branch of government responsible for making laws.

A system of government where citizens choose representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

The Executive branch is responsible for enforcing the laws made by the Legislative branch.

The Judicial branch interprets the Constitution and determines if laws are constitutional.

The American colonists developed a strong aversion to powerful central authorities due to their experiences under British rule, which they perceived as oppressive.

According to Thomas Hobbes, a philosopher known for his work 'Leviathan,' the most effective form of government is a monarchy, where a single ruler has absolute power to maintain order.

John Locke, another influential philosopher, believed that the primary purpose of government is to safeguard the natural rights of its citizens, such as life, liberty, and property.

The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a significant document that marked the first step towards limiting the power of the English monarch. It established certain rights and privileges for the nobility, including the right to due process of law.

This document, enacted in 1689, further limited the power of the English monarchy and established certain rights for citizens, including freedom of speech and religion.

In the context of government, veto means to reject or nullify a bill or proposal that has been passed by a legislative body. The president of the United States has the power to veto bills passed by Congress.

The Mayflower Compact, drafted by the Pilgrims in 1620, is an early example of colonial self-rule. It established a framework for governing themselves in the new land.

In a direct democracy, citizens participate directly in decision-making through meetings and votes on every government issue. It is a system of direct citizen involvement, rather than through elected representatives.

An authoritarian system typically makes decisions quickly because the leader or a small group holds most of the power and doesn't have to consult with many people.

Abraham Lincoln's famous phrase 'government of the people, by the people, for the people' describes a government that derives its authority from the people, is operated by the people, and serves the people.

A confederation is a government where states hold most of the power, with a weak central government. A federal system balances power between the national and state levels.

In a parliamentary system, the head of government is the leader of the majority party in the legislature and is chosen by the lawmakers. In a presidential system, the president is elected separately from the legislature and serves as head of state and government.

The US Constitution establishes a framework for a balanced government with separate branches, checks and balances, and limitations on power to prevent any one part from becoming too strong.

Dictatorships and oligarchies are generally considered more efficient in decision-making, as they have a small group or single person with absolute power and face less resistance to their decisions.

A dictatorship is likely represented in a political cartoon where a single person is shown wielding absolute power and control over everything.