Foundations of government lesson 2 shaniya tucker pd.

unitary system: a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government

confederacy: a loose union of independent states

federal system: a government that divides the powers of government between the national government
and state or provincial governments

constitution: a plan that provides the rules for government

constitutional government: a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly

recognized limits on the powers of those who govern

authoritarian: controlling all aspects of citizens’ economic, political, and social lives

totalitarianism: a system of government in which the government has total control

assembly: a gathering

dictatorship: a system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control

oligarchy: a system of government in which a small group holds power

monarchy: a system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of
government

democracy: government in which the people rule

republic: a government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to
the people, exercise that power

institution: establishment practice, or social organization

3. Explaining How is a federal system of government different from a unitary or confederate one?

Unitary system is a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government while
confederacy is a loose union of independent states.

4. Contrasting How is a constitutional government different than a country without a constitution?

It is limited government. First, no written constitution can possibly spell out all the laws, customs, and
ideas that grow up around the document. Second, a constitution does not always reflect actual
government practice. For example, china vs. USA

5. Contrasting What are the differences between authoritarian and democratic governments?

Governments that control all aspects of citizens’ economic, political, and social lives are called
authoritarian. Governments that give people economic, social, and political freedoms are democratic.

6. Identifying Central Issues What principles are central to democracies?

Citizens Participation, Regular fee and Fair Elections, Rule of law, Accepting the results of elections,
Majority Rules with minority rights, Accountability, Transparency, Limited government and a bill of
rights, Control of the abuse of power, Economic freedom, Equality, Individual or human rights,
Independent judiciary, and Competing political parties.