Gov IA Vocab Flashcards

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Confederal government

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A system of government where independent states or regions have the most power, and a weak central government has limited authority.

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Democracy

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A system of government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation, typically involving periodic free and fair elections.

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Federalism

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A system of government where power is divided between a central government and regional governments, such as states or provinces.

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Limited Government

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A system of government where the powers of the government are restricted, typically through a constitution or other legal documents.

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Montesquieu

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A French philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers in government, arguing that dividing power among different branches would prevent tyranny.

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Parliamentary Government

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A system of government where the executive branch (the government) is chosen by and accountable to the legislative branch (parliament).

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Representative Democracy

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A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

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Thomas Jefferson

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An American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, and the third president of the United States.

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Articles of Confederation

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The first written constitution of the United States, which established a weak national government and was eventually replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

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Great Compromise

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An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that created a two-house legislature, combining elements of both the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.