The document outlines 13 key concepts related to government and political systems. It defines the four characteristics of a state as population, territory, sovereignty, and government. It also lists the four major theories of the origins of the state and the six purposes of the American system of government. Other terms defined include government, public policy, the three powers of government (legislative, executive, judicial), constitution, dictatorship, democracy, state, and sovereign.

1. 1. WHAT ARE THE FOUR
CHARACTERISTICS OF STATE?
 Population
 Territory
 Sovereignty
 Government

2. 2. WHAT ARE THE FOUR THEORIES
OF THE ORIGINS OF A STATE?
 Force Theory
 Evolutionary Theory
 Devine Right Theory
 Social Contract Theory

3. 3. WHAT ARE SIX PURPOSES OF THE
AMERICAN SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT?
 Form a more perfect union
 Establish justice
 Insure domestic tranquility
 Provide for the common
defense
 Promote the general
welfare

4. 4. GOVERNMENT
 The institution through
which a society makes and
enforces its public
policies.

5. 5. PUBLIC POLICY
 Something the
government decides to do
about a certain issue.

6. 6. LEGISLATIVE POWER
 The power to make laws.

7. 7. EXECUTIVE POWER
 The power to enforce
and administer laws.

8. 8. JUDICIAL POWER
 The power to interpret
laws and settle disputes.

9. 9. CONSTITUTION
 A body of fundamental
laws that sets out the
principles, structures, and
processes of government.

10. 10. DICTATORSHIP
 Government in which
those who rule are not
responsible to will of the
people.

11. 11. DEMOCRACY
 Government in which
power rests with the
people.

12. 12. STATE
 A body of people living in
a defined area who have a
government and the power
to make and enforce laws
without the consent of a
higher authority.

13. 13. SOVEREIGN
 Having supreme and
absolute power.