Chapter One Why do we have government in the first place? Jeopardy music…………….. BECAUSE people can’t live together without conflict. Discuss…and describe ways we see government in action. How does it affect us in our everyday lives?

The Purposes of Government 1.) To maintain social order - Make and enforce laws Require us to pay taxes and serve in the military Provide courts

2. To provide public services Infrastructure sewers schools dams power Mass transit parks roads police and fire

3.) To provide national security…against threat of attack… 4.) To “control” the economic system…everything from printing money to stimulating economic growth – how? Types of Government 1.) Totalitarian regime – Dictator rules “totally” Socially-politically-economically like

2.) Authoritarian – dictator only in charge of government… 3.) Democracy – authority is vested in the people – people hold the power= Popular Sovereignty!

4. Oligarchy – authority held by a few – a committee – Communist China=communist party – not efficient. Let’s discuss Democracy Direct Democracy –only in Representative small societies -New England, Democracy… Sweden… (people elect representatives OR

A Republic! We elect people to vote for us – VOTERS hold sovereign power! To elect, to decide, to re-elect, to direct issues… Characteristics of a Democracy/Republic  Individual Liberty - people as free as possible to develop their own lives – marriage, travel, jobs…  Majority rule with Minority rights -

Yes…whoever has the most votes wins BUT we are vigilant about minorities (race, handicapped, etc.)  Free Elections – one man, one vote, no poll taxes, no literacy tests…  Competing political parties - two sides, two points of view…works well…Republicans and Democrats

Democracy develops when we have…  Citizens who participate  A favorable economy  WIDESPREAD EDUCATION!!  Civil Society – Red Cross, Kiwanaas, Elks Club, churches…  A social consensus

Chapter One Politics…is not a dirty word. “Politics” is not simply arguing! It’s “The struggle over power (or influence) within organizations (or informal groups) that can grant or withhold benefits (or privileges)” In other words, who get what, when and how. Think of families, communities, work place, social groups, and GOVERNMENT.

Terms to know for the Conservative/ Liberal Survey  Political Socialization – the process by which we learn a set of political attitudes and form opinions about social issues (family, school)  Capitalism – Private ownership of assets (land, business, etc.), free markets (remember we have a mixed-market economy)  Socialism – Economic and social equality – Gov’t takes care of the people, owns most means of production, etc. “birth to earth”

 Communism – Revolutionary socialism, dictator, gov’t owns all land and all businesses  Fascism - 20th century - glorification of government and its leader above all else

Conservatives – (fancy definition)…beliefs that include a limited role for the national gov’t in helping individuals, support for traditional values and lifestyles and a cautious response to change…Republicans Liberals – beliefs that include the advocacy of positive government action to improve the welfare of individuals, support for civil rights and tolerance for political and social change…Democrats Now let’s take a survey…

Other Chapter One topics… Our most “direct” democratic tools…  Initiative – we propose a law or amendment  Referendum – laws are given to us for approval…by vote  Recall – we can vote someone out of office! Lastly… Popular Sovereignty – we rule! Our will guides government Pluralism – Different groups trying to get what they want – explain hyper-pluralism… Constitution – Sets the structure and limits of the Government