governmenta system of laws and leaders that
helps keep people safe and protect their rights
the common good
people working together for the benefit of
everybody
individual rights
things one person is entitled to have or to do
public services
things that a government does for people
state governmentA government of one of the 50
states Ex: The state government of Michigan is
in Lansing.
republica government where people hold
the power of government and choose leaders to make laws and
decisions for them
representative government
people elect representatives to make laws for them and be their
leaders
electto choose someone by voting
Ex: People vote for someone through elections.
House of Representatives
and Senatethe two groups that make up the law-making branch of Michigan
government
senator a member of the
Senate
representative a member of the
House of Representatives
Local-the government of a community
State-the government of a state
National-the government of a country
The Three Levels of Government
constitutiona plan written for the
government
limited government
the government can do only what the people has given it the
power to do
capitalthe city where the
government is located
Ex: Lansing is Michigan’s capital.
governorthe leader of the state
Ex: Michigan’s governor lives and works in Lansing, the capital.
courtthe place where a trial is held
– the Supreme Court is the highest
court in Michigan.
• The branch of government that makes laws Legislative
• The branch of government that enforces laws Executive
• The branch of government that decides what laws mean Judicial
The Three Branches of Government
legislaturethe name of Michigan’s legislative
branch Ex: The Michigan legislature is made up of the House of Representatives and Senate.
judgethe person who is in charge
of the court
trialwhen a crime or conflict is handled in a
court
Ex: A person went to trial for stealing a car.
jurya group of citizens who listen to the evidence at a trial and
decide if the law has been broken
freedom of speech
the right to say what you want and to talk about your beliefs,
ideas, and feelings
freedom of religion
the right to have any religious beliefs you want or no religious
beliefs at all
civic responsibilities
things citizens are supposed to do
Ex: voting and obeying laws
voting
the way leaders are chosen in our country