American Government
Mr. Bordelon
Key Terms

Describes a state that has supreme
power within its territory.
Key Terms

Describes a state that has supreme
power within its territory.
 Sovereignty.
Key Terms

Institution through which society makes
and enforces its policies.
Key Terms

Institution through which society makes
and enforces its policies.
 Government.
Key Terms

That which a government decides to do.
Key Terms

That which a government decides to do.
 Public policy.
Key Terms

An alliance of independent states that
expressly delegates limited powers to a
central government.
Key Terms

An alliance of independent states that
expressly delegates limited powers to a
central government.
 Confederation or confederate government.
Key Terms

A form of government that is often
totalitarian and authoritarian; can be led
by one person or many people.
Key Terms

A form of government that is often
totalitarian and authoritarian; can be led
by one person or many people.
 Dictatorship.
Key Terms

In a _____, the executive branch of
government is led by members of the
legislative branch.
Key Terms

In a _____, the executive branch of
government is led by members of the
legislative branch.
 Parliamentary government.
Key Terms

A _____ is also known as a centralized
government.
Key Terms

A _____ is also known as a centralized
government.
 Unitary government.
Key Terms

The basic structure and principles of a
government may be found in its _____.
Key Terms

The basic structure and principles of a
government may be found in its _____.
 Constitution.
Key Terms

_____ is the power to write new laws.
Key Terms

_____ is the power to write new laws.
 Legislative power.
Key Terms

Government regulates and promotes
businesses in a _____.
Key Terms

Government regulates and promotes
businesses in a _____.
 Mixed economy.
Main Ideas

What four characteristics define a state?
Main Ideas

What four characteristics define a state?
 A state is a body of people living in a defined
territory, organized with a government and
the power to make laws without the consent
of a higher authority.
 Population, territory, sovereignty,
government.
Main Ideas
•
What are the four political theories
behind state formation, and explain
each?
Main Ideas
•
What are the four political theories
behind state formation, and explain
each?
– Force theory. One person or group forced
others to submit to its rule.
– Evolutionary theory. State evolved from an
original family.
– Divine Right theory. God created the state
and gave rulers right to rule.
– Social Contract theory. People joined
together to form the state.
Main Ideas

What theory on the origin of the state
was most influential in the founding of
the United States?
Main Ideas

What theory on the origin of the state
was most influential in the founding of
the United States?
 Social Contract theory.
Main Ideas

In what three ways can we classify
governments?
Main Ideas

In what three ways can we classify
governments?
 Population
 Geographic Distribution of Power
 Relationship Between Legislative Branch
and Executive Branch
Main Ideas

In a democracy, to whom is the
government responsible?
Main Ideas

In a democracy, to whom is the
government responsible?
 The people.
Main Ideas

In a dictatorship, to whom is the
government responsible?
Main Ideas

In a dictatorship, to whom is the
government responsible?
 No one. The person in power has final
authority.
Main Ideas

What is the difference between an
autocracy and an oligarchy?
Main Ideas

What is the difference between an
autocracy and an oligarchy?
 In an autocracy, one person holds power,
while in an oligarchy, a small group holds
power.
Main Ideas

What are the three forms of government
based on geographic distribution, and
explain?
Main Ideas
•
What are the three forms of government
based on geographic distribution, and
explain?
– Unitary. Centralized government with the
central agency controlling all government
powers.
– Federal. Powers of government are divided
between a central government and local
governments.
– Confederate. Alliance of independent states
with a central organization carrying out powers
the states give it.
Main Ideas

How is power distributed in a
presidential government?
Main Ideas

How is power distributed in a
presidential government?
 Two branches, executive and legislative, are
separate and check and balance each other.
Main Ideas

What is the free enterprise system?
Main Ideas

What is the free enterprise system?
 An economic system characterized by
private ownership of goods and private
investment, with profit and competition
determined by a free market.
Main Ideas

What is a mixed economy?
Main Ideas

What is a mixed economy?
 In a mixed economy, private enterprise is
combined with government regulation and
participation.