C HAPTER 1 SECTION 1 Principles of Government

A RISTOTLE A scholar in ancient Greece, was one of the first students of government.

S TATE

NATION Any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion.

E SSENTIAL FEATURES OF A STATE PopulationThe nature of a states population affects its stability TerritoryStates have established boundaries which may change as a result of war, negotiations, and purchase. SovereigntyThe key characteristic of a state; political sovereignty means the state has supreme and absolute authority w/in its territorial boundaries GovernmentThe institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people living w/in the state.

S OCIAL CONTRACT THEORY One of the first to theorize on the social contract. Thomas HobbesJohn Locke Wrote that people were naturally endowed with the right to life, liberty, and property.

P URPOSES OF GOVERNMENT Maintain social order Provide public service Provide national security Make economic decisions