theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order, and the state, in turn, agrees to protect its citizens
social contract
a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government
country
a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern it
constitutional government
a system of government in which a small group holds power
oligarchy
government in while the people rule
democracy
a system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control
dictatorship
a system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme power of government
monarchy
an institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affects the people under its control
government
a system of government in which nobles offered protection and land to their subjects in return for their service
feudalism
of or relating to a system of government in which the government has total control
totalitarian
a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial government
federal system
the idea that people are chosen by a god or gods to rule
divine right
a state without government or laws
anarchy
one who engage in the pursuit of wisdom
philosopher
speculation based on study
theory
a loose union of independent states
confederacy
a group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion
nation
the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundary
sovereignty
a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government
state
a gathering
assembly
a plan that provides the rules for government
constitution
controlling all aspects of citizen's economic, political, and social lives
authoritarian
a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government
unitary system