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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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democracy
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A political system in which political power is exercised either directly or indirectly by the people.
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liberal democracy
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A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedom and civil rights.
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separation of powers
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The clear division of power between different branches of government and the provision that specific branches may check the power of other branches.
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republicanism
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Indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elected officials.
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civil society
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Organizations outside of the state that help people define and advance their own interests.
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executive
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The branch of government that carries out the laws and policies of a state.
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head of state
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The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally.
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head of government
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The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state, such as formulating and executing policy.
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legislature
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The branch of government charged with making laws.
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bicameral system
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A political system in which the legislature comprises two houses.
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unicameral system
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A political system in which the legislature comprises one house.
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constitutional court
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The highest judicial body in a political system that decides whether laws and policies violate the constitution.
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judicial review
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The mechanism by which courts can review the actions of government and overturn those that violate the constitution.
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parliamentary system
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A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are assigned to separate executive offices.
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vote of no confidence
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Vote taken by a legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current prime minister. Depending on the country, a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the prime minister and/or lead to new parliamentary elections.
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presidential system
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A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are combined in one executive office.
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semipresidential system
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A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are separated into two offices.
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electoral system
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A set of rules that decide how votes are cast, counted, and translated into seats in a legislature.
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suffrage
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The right to vote.
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constituency
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A geographical area that an elected official represents.
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single-member district (SMD)
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An electoral district with one seat.
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proportional representation (PR)
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An electoral system in which political parties compete in multimember districts; voters choose between parties, and the seats in the district are awarded proportionally according to the results of the vote.
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first past the post
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An electoral system in which individual candidates compete in single-member districts; voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the largest share of the vote wins the seat.
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multimember district (MMD)
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An electoral district with more than one seat.
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mixed electoral system
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An electoral system that uses a combination of single-member districts and proportional representation.
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referendum
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A national vote called by a government to address a specific proposal, often a change to the constitution.
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initiative
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A national vote called by members of the public to address a specific proposal.
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civil rights
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Individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime.
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civil liberties
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Individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime.
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rule of law
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A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to the law, irrespective of their power or authority.
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