Chapter 1 – Principles of Government

What makes a country powerful? What is a government? Nation refers to a large ethnic group. A State is a body of people, living in a defined area, organized politically. A Country is a geographical area. In Chapter 1, we will use these terms. After Ch. 1, they will all mean the same as State.

Cherokee Nation Country of USA

Four Characteristics of a State Population – Must have one, Size doesn’t matter. Territory – Must have clearly defined borders. Sovereignty – Must be a free state, not a colony. Government – Must have an organized govt. – Could we, as a class, become a state? – Example of desire for statehood - Palestine

Origins of States There are four main theories about how States began: Force Theory – Person or group conquered an area and forced people to follow their rules. Evolutionary Theory – States evolved from family, to clan, to tribe, to state. Divine Right Theory – God created the state and gave royalty the right to rule. Social Contract Theory – Citizens give up some rights & power to govt to ensure safety and functioning of state.

The Six Purposes of Government These are listed in the preamble. To form a more perfect Union… – To unite the states into one nation To establish justice… – Law must be fair, reasonable, & impartial. To ensure domestic tranquility… – Keep peace at home To provide for the common defense… – Protect against foreign enemies To promote the general welfare… – Be a servant to citizens’ needs To secure the blessings of liberty… – Protect & defend America’s freedoms & ideals3

Classical Forms of Government Classical Republic- Elected democracy, small group represents citizens. – Ex - Feudalism - Local lords rule, bound by loyalty to king. – Ex - Absolute Monarchy – Monarch has total control. – Ex - Authoritarianism – Individual or group has unlimited power. – Ex - Despotism – Ruler has absolute power and is a tyrant. – Ex - Liberal Democracy – Protection of individual rights & freedoms. – Ex - Totalitarianism – Govt controls all parts of citizens’ lives. – Ex -

Basic Concepts of Democracy There are FIVE basic concepts that all Democracies share: Recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person. Respect for the equality of all persons. Faith in majority rule & insistence of minority rights. Acceptance of the necessity of compromise. Insistence on the widest degree of individual freedom.

Government and Economics There are close ties between government and economics. With our democratic system, we have a Free Enterprise economic system. Free Enterprise is based on: – Private ownership of the factors of production (land, labor, capital {$$$}). – Individual initiative to start, run, or work in a business. – Profit-to earn money. – Competition for business, which lowers prices, improves products, and rewards innovation.

We depend on the laws of supply & demand. – The more there is of something, the less it costs. – The more people want something, the more it costs. High supply, low demand – low cost Low supply, high demand – high cost High supply, high demand – medium cost Low supply, low demand – medium cost We have a mixed economy – free enterprise exists with some amount of govt regulation.

Almost all governments today have three branches. AnswerDefinitionExamples Where is the power? A.Unitary1 personCuba, N. Korea B. FederalElectedUSA, Canada, India What is relationship b/t legis. & exec. Branches? A. ParliamentaryCongressIndia, Costa Rica B. PresidentialPresidentUSA, Brazil Who can participate? A. DemocracyCitizensUSA, India B. DictatorshipNopeCuba, N. Korea