Social Studies Review

A sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority.

• Presidential

• Unitary

• Confederate

• Federal

A collection of smaller unit state governments, which each state being sovereign

• Presidential

• Unitary

• Confederate

• Federal

A strong central government has sovereign powers, particularly in dealing with foreign governments.

• Presidential

• Unitary

• Confederate

• Federal

The executive branch is separate from the legislative branch of government. Each branch of government can limit the power of the other through a system of checks and balances.

• Presidential

• Unitary

• Confederate

• Federal

Government must have the support of its citizens to remain in power. 

• Self Rule

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

Government according to law and not based on the impulses of individual rulers.

• Self Rule

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

Individual citizens have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property (pursuit of happiness)

• Self Rule

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

Government of the people, by the people, and for the people

• Self Rule

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

Government laws and decisions are made and carried out by the people’s representatives and officials.

• Self Rule

• Rule of Law

• Individual Rights

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

Created the idea of “natural rights” that people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property. The people have a right to overthrow the government or a government that fails to protect their “natural rights”. The government's role is to protect the people’s “natural rights”. Criticized the theory of “divine right” of kings (that kings are chosen by God)

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Baron De Montesquieu