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