Origins of Government Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What theory says that government emerged when all of the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group?

Force Theory (correct)

Social Contract Theory

Evolutionary Theory

Divine Right Theory

What is a state?

A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority.

What is the notion that the gods have chosen certain people to rule by divine right called?

Divine Right Theory (correct)

Evolutionary Theory

Natural Rights

Force Theory

Who was Thomas Hobbes?

A famous theorist who believed that humans were evil by nature and that government exists to protect us from each other. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John Locke?

A famous theorist who believed that humans were good by nature and that the government exists to protect our natural rights. Signup and view all the answers

What are Natural Rights?

The idea that all humans were born with the rights to Life, Liberty, and Property. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Evolutionary Theory suggest?

The theory that the state evolved from the basis of family. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Social Contract Theory?

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed. Signup and view all the answers

The four purposes of government are maintaining social order, providing public services, providing for national security, and ___

controlling the economic system. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Federal Government?

A government that divides its powers between the national, state, or provincial governments. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Constitution?

A plan that provides the rules for government, establishes the basic structure of government, and defines its powers and duties. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Preamble?

A statement in the constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by government. Signup and view all the answers

What is an autocracy?

Any system of government in which the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual. Signup and view all the answers

What is democracy?

A system of government in which rule is by the people. Signup and view all the answers

What is an oligarchy?

Any system of government in which a small group holds power. Signup and view all the answers

What is popular sovereignty?

The principle that asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power. Signup and view all the answers

What is a republic?

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them. Signup and view all the answers

What is Judicial Review?

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, containing individual rights and liberties. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Unitary System?

A system of government where the local and regional governments derive all authority from a strong national government. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Bicameral System?

A political system in which the legislature comprises two houses. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is among the characteristics of a state?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

A county or city is considered sovereign because it is subordinate to a larger form of government.

False Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic do the individual 50 states lack?

Sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

What is the dominant political unit in the world today?

State. Signup and view all the answers

What was an achievement of the Second Constitutional Convention?

Raising an American army, or 'Continental Army'. Signup and view all the answers

What historical document first limited the power of the Crown?

Petition of Right. Signup and view all the answers

Which basic concept of government did the Magna Carta reflect?

Limited government. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most prevalent theme in the Declaration of Independence?

Complaints of the wrongs done to the colonists. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the quote from the Declaration of Independence regarding American sovereignty?

To declare American sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

Match Jefferson's views on the Social Contract with his quotes from the Declaration:

God gave us absolute freedoms = that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness Leadership of the state shall be comprised of the people within that state = Governments are instituted among Men Locke's idea on overthrowing an unjust government = That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government Government should only fall if the people can list legitimate grievances against it = Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes Signup and view all the answers

Which system of government would work best in America during a time of war?

An autocracy. Signup and view all the answers

Which system of government would work best in America during a time of peace?

A federal government. Signup and view all the answers

Rank the four theories on the origin of government from most plausible to least plausible.

<ol> <li>Evolutionary Theory, 2. Social Contract Theory, 3. Force Theory, 4. Divine Right Theory.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Preamble to the Constitution illustrate the core responsibility of government?

It explains that the government's sole purpose is to protect the people's individual rights. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the State of Nature and the Social Contract Theory.

The State of Nature is where everyone is free and no one is ruled by a government; the Social Contract requires people to give up some freedoms to be governed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theories of Government

Force Theory: Government arises from the domination of a person or group over others.
Divine Right Theory: Authority to rule is believed to be granted by the gods.
Evolutionary Theory: States develop from family structures, evolving over time into organized communities.
Social Contract Theory: People consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their natural rights, articulated by theorists like John Locke.

Notable Theorists

Thomas Hobbes: Argued humans are inherently evil and need government for protection; opposed overthrowing the government.
John Locke: Believed in the inherent goodness of humans and the right to life, liberty, and property; supported the right to overthrow a government failing to protect these rights.

Key Concepts

Natural Rights: Fundamental rights that all humans are born with—life, liberty, and property.
Popular Sovereignty: Government’s authority arises from the consent of the governed.

Structure and Purposes of Government

State: Defined as a political community with a structured government, capable of making laws independently.
Purposes of Government: Maintaining social order, providing public services, ensuring national security, and managing the economy.
Federal Government: Power is divided between national and state governments.

Constitutional Framework

Constitution: Serves as the foundation of government, outlining its principles, structure, and powers.
Preamble: Establishes the goals and purposes of government as defined in the Constitution.
Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments that enumerate individual rights and liberties.

Government Systems

Autocracy: Rule by a single individual with total authority.
Democracy: Rule by the people, emphasizing participation and representation.
Oligarchy: Power concentrated in a small group.
Unitary System: A strong national government with local authorities deriving power from it.
Bicameral System: Legislature composed of two houses.

Significant Historical Documents

Magna Carta: Early example of limited government, establishing restrictions on the monarchy.
Declaration of Independence: Outlined grievances against the British crown and asserted American sovereignty.

Judicial Power

Judicial Review: The authority of the Supreme Court to assess the constitutionality of laws and government actions.

Characteristics of a State

Essential characteristics include defined territory, population, organized government, and sovereignty.

State of Nature: A hypothetical condition where individuals are free from government oversight.
Social Contract: Agreement among individuals to relinquish some freedoms for government protection and order.

Rationale for Theories of Government

Evolutionary theory considered most viable; acknowledges gradual development of structured governance.
Social contract theory valued for its implications on governance and consent; highlights people's role in empowering the state.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the origins of government with these flashcards. Learn definitions and key concepts such as Force Theory, State, and Divine Right Theory. Perfect for students studying political science or history.