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American Government - Unit 1 Test - Foundations of American Government Flashcards

Unit One - Foundations of American Government

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289383426According to Lock, Hobbes and Montequieu why does the state exist?According to Lock, Hobbes and Montesquieu, the state exists to serve "the will of the people".0
289383427In a democracy, the will of the majority cannot be used to deprive the rights of __________________.In a democracy, the will of the majority cannot be used to deprive the rights of a member of a minority group.1
289383428Key ideas of the Declaration of IndependenceKey ideas of the Declaration of Independence: - people have natural rights - government can only exists with the will of the people's permission - people may change or abolish the government2
2893834293 documents that limited the power of the government.Magna Carta English Bill of Rights Petition of Rights3
289383430Unitary GovernmentIn a Unitary Government, all key powers are given to the central government.4
289383431Federal GovernmentA Federal Government is a type of government with a division of power between central and local government. The central government has authority over the state and local governments.5
289383432ConfederationA confederation is a type of government where the power is equal between both the central and local governments.6
289383433The Rule of LawThe Rule of Law is that laws apply to all people even government officials.7
289383434OligarchyAn oligarchy is a type of dictatorship rules by a small group of people.8
289383435GovernmentA government is an institution through which a society carries out its public policies.9
289383436Social ContractThe social contract theory says there is an agreeement between the government and it's people. In American, the consititution serves as a contract.10
289383437Characteristics of a StateThe Characterisitics of a State: 1) Population - a state must have people. 2) Territory - a state must have land. 3) Sovereignty - every state has supreme and absolute power within its territory. 4) Government - every state is politically organized.11
289383438Characteristics of the Social Contract TheoryThe Charactertistics of the Social Contract Theory - the state is created voluntarily by free people - the power of government is limited by the people - government powers are granted by the people12
289383439The majority of the Declaration of Indepedence is a ______________.The majority of the Declaration of Indepedence is a list of complaints of the wrongs bestowed on the colonists by England.13
289383440Concept of Limited GovernmentThe concept of limited government means that the government must operate within certain bounds set by the people.14
289383441Presidental GovernmentIn a presidential government the executive and legislative branches of government are separate and independent of one another and coequal. Checks and Balances maintain the overall balance of power in this type of government.15
289383442Parliamentary GovernmentIn a parliamentary government the executive branch is comprised of a prime minister and his cabinet. The Parliament (Legislative) is the more powerful branch, therefore, prolonged conflict and deadlock are less likely to occur between the executive and legislative branches.16
289383443Devine Right TheoryGod created the state and royal birth line.17
289383444AutocracyGovernment by a single person having unlimited power; despotism (domination through threat of punishment and violence)18

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