What is a Government? Defining governments in general…

Definition… The authoritative administration of public policy and affairs of a nation/state. Institutions that create and implement public policy.

Purposes/Functions of a Government: 1. Maintaining Social Order 2. Provide Public Services 3. Provide National Security 4. Provide for and control the economy

Other definitions that go along with “government”… Public Policy – Government + Politics = creation of public policy Politics – Not everyone has the same needs, ideology (beliefs), priorities = politics - Who gets what, when, and how Political Power Democracy Republic Constitutional Republic

Continue definitions….State vs. Nation State 1. Population 2. Territory 3. Sovereignty 4. Government Nation Any group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, customs, traditions, religion, etc.

States vs. Nations All states are nations but not all nations are states Often territorial boundaries are the same – not all nations have their own states

A government must be able to make decisions binding … Legitimacy Coercive force

Types of Political Systems Unitary Federal Confederation

Political Systems -- Classifications Anarchy Theocracy Autocracy – absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, totalitarian dictatorships Oligarchy Democracy (direct and representative)

Representative vs. Direct Democracies Representative (Republic) Large and diverse Direct Small and homogeneous

Economic Systems Pure Capitalism – free enterprise, private ownership and control of resources, competition, Laissez-faire Mixed-Market Economy – Combination of free enterprise and government control Socialism – distribution of wealth, public ownership of most land, factories, and production, government control most decisions Communism – Karl Marx – one class, property held in common and no need for government – the government decides how much, what, and how to produce and distribute – command economy

Theories of the Origins of the State (government) Evolutionary – from the family Force Divine Right Social Contract

Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679) Leviathan Pessimist Concept of a contract between the people and the state

John Locke (1632 – 1704) Two Treatise of Government Some of Hobbes ideas but more of an optimist Basis of many of the ideas for American Democracy Natural rights – life, liberty, & property When government fails to provide people can rightfully rebel and create a new one Consent of the people

Characteristics of a Democracy…Idealistic Individual Liberty/Freedom Equality Majority Rule with Minority Rights Free Elections Competing Political Parties

Elements of a Democracy System of popular participation (elections) Commitment to preserving freedom and equality Independent Judiciary – Rule of Law Civilian Control of the Military and Police Cultural Commitment Order and Stability Majority Rule with Minority Rights Participation

Participation Approaching Democracy 1787 – free white landowning males over th Amendment – End of slavery 15 th Right to vote for freed African Americans 17 th Direct vote of Senators 19 th Women’s right to vote Native American Citizenship

Continuing to Approach Democracy… 23 rd D.C. vote – electoral college 24 th no poll taxes 26 th 18 years old vote Civil Rights Act of 1964 Voting Rights Act of Age Discrimination in Employment Act 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act

System of Interacting Values Personal liberty – self-determination Respect for the individual Equality of opportunity Popular consent Balance among democratic values

System of Interrelated Political Processes Free and Fair Elections Majority rule Freedom of expression Right to assemble and protest

Interdependent Political Structures Federalism Separation of powers Checks and balances Bill of Rights

Democratic Environment Active citizen participation Favorable economy Widespread education Strong civil society Social consensus

Theories of American Democracy Pluralism – Many groups of influence compete – centrist position – agree on mutually acceptable position Elitism – Upper class elite rules, a few powerful rule, big business – economics control the policy agenda Hyper pluralism – pluralism run a muck – gridlock or watered down U.S. shows all 3