What is Government? Foundation of the American System

Discussion Question What are three ways the government impacts your life?

Find your seat Get out your binder Get out your signed syllabus Get a text book from the back shelf

Bell Ringer Qs (p. 4-7) 1) Why is it important to study government? 2) What is the purpose of government and what are the three basic types of powers it has? 3) Is there a difference between a state, nation, or country? Explain. 4) Of the four characteristics of a state, which do you think is the most important? Explain your choice. You have 15 minutes to finish.

Today’s Learning Target I will understand that governments were created to establish order, provide security, and accomplish common goals.

Origin of Government “Government” is one of the five social institutions found in all societies (in addition to family, religion, education, and economy)

State of Nature Everyone is free to make rational or irrational decisions. Sometimes people make irrational decisions. Ambition and mistrust tend to dominate.

Add Government Modifies the State of Nature Minimizes irrational choices Increases survival

What is government? Government is the institution through which society makes and enforces its public policy decisions. Public Policies – Things the government decides to do. Taxes, military, education, police, health care

Think about these images Critical Thinking Exercise 1) Who do all of those people work for? 2) Who pays for what they do? 3) Who decided to create their job?

Government Power Every government has 3 basic kinds of powers. 1) Legislative Power – the power to make law 2) Executive Power – the power to execute, enforce, and administer law 3) Judicial Power – the power to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and settle disputes.

Who has the power? Depending on the type of government, power can come from different places. Dictatorship – Power in the hands of one person Oligarchy – Power in the hands of a few people Democracy – Power in the hands of all citizens Representative Democracy – Power in the hands of elected officials

The State The state is the dominant political unit in the world. (AKA country or nation-state) State – a)body of people, b)living in a defined territory, c)organized politically (government), and with the d) power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority. Is Kentucky a State? Yes. No. Sort of?

Four Characteristics of a State 1) Population – A state must have people 2) Territory – Must have recognized boundaries. 3) Sovereignty – Every state has supreme and absolute power within its territory. Other governments or countries cannot tell it what to do. It “reigns” supreme. 4) Government – Must have a political organization that can create and enforce its public policies.

Purposes of Government Governments were created to: establish order, provide security, and accomplish common goals.

The Purpose of the US Government According the Preamble to the Constitution the U.S. government must: 1) Establish Justice (Order) 2) Insure Domestic Tranquility (Order) 3) Provide for the Common Defense (Security) 4) Promote the General Welfare (Common Goals) 5) Secure the Blessings of Liberty (Common Goals)

Homework Complete Vocabulary Crossword Complete the 4 Square Activity on the 4 theories of government.