Chapter 1 Terms Civics 414

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State

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A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from a higher authority.

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Nation

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Any sizable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion.

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Consensus

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Agreement about basic beliefs.

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Sovereignty

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The state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries.

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Government

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The institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions.

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Social Contract

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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.

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Unitary System

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Gives all key powers to the national or central government.

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Federal System

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Divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments.

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Confederacy

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A loose union of independent states.

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Constitution

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A plan that provides the rules for government.