Government Vocabulary:
Royal- A colony that is under the DIRECT control of a King.
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Self-Governing- Not under control of the King and the King did not appoint a government or council.
Proprietary- A King gives a person or group of people ownership of the land. Those people then rent out that land to pay the King. The owners act as the government.
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Federal- A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and individual states or provinces. Both levels of government have separate powers and responsibilities.
Unitary- A system of government in which power is concentrated in a central authority, and local governments only have the power granted to them by the central government.
Constitutional Monarchy- A form of government in which a monarch acts as the head of state within the parameters of a constitution. The monarch's powers are limited by law, and there is a separate government that exercises most of the executive powers.
Democracy- A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who exercise it either directly or through elected representatives. It emphasizes the importance of individual rights, freedom of speech, and participation in decision-making processes.
Dictatorship- A form of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group of individuals. The leader(s) typically hold absolute power with little or no regard for individual rights or democratic processes.
Totalitarianism- A form of government in which the state has total control over all aspects of public and private life. It involves strict regulation and suppression of dissent, often through extensive surveillance and propaganda.
Anarchy- The absence of a central government or authority. It is characterized by a lack of hierarchical structure and laws, often resulting in chaotic or lawless conditions.
Oligarchy- A system of government in which a small group of individuals holds power, often based on wealth, military might, or social status.
Authoritarian- A system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or group, who exercise authoritative control without much regard for individual rights or democratic processes.
Autocracy- A system of government in which power is held by a single individual with absolute authority. The leader's decisions are not subject to any checks or balances.
Theocracy- A system of government in which religious leaders or institutions have control over the political and governing processes. Laws and policies are often based on religious beliefs and teachings.
To understand these terms related to government, it's helpful to first have a basic understanding of the historical context. In the past, many countries were ruled by monarchies, where the king or queen had absolute power and authority.
The term "royal" refers to a colony that is directly controlled by a king. In this type of colony, the king appoints a governor or council to oversee the colony's affairs on his behalf. The governor or council acts as the government in the colony, and they are responsible for making and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, and maintaining order.
The term "self-governing" means that a colony is not under the direct control of the king. In this type of colony, the king does not appoint a government or council to rule over it. Instead, the colony has the authority to govern itself and make its own laws. The individuals or representatives within the colony participate in decision-making processes to establish their own government and policies.
The term "proprietary" refers to a situation where a king grants individuals or a group of people ownership or control of the land. In a proprietary colony, these owners, also known as proprietors, act as both the government and the landlords. They are responsible for managing the colony, collecting rents from tenants who live on the land, and paying the king in return.
It's worth noting that these terms primarily originated during the age of colonization when European powers established colonies around the world. While the specific meanings of these terms may have evolved over time, they help to describe different systems of governance that existed in colonial times.