What is a state? A group of people Living in a defined territory Having a government With sovereignty within the country
The state has absolute power within its territory to decide its own foreign and domestic policies
Where does this “state” thing come from? There are four different theories – Force Theory – Evolutionary Theory – Divine Right Theory – Social Contract Theory
Force Theory Person or people took control of a territory People there were forced to submit People or person in control formed a sovereign government
Evolutionary Theory Populations grew and people started to live in bigger groups Heads of families got together to make decisions Groups settled in a particular place and became a sovereign state
Divine Right Theory God created the state and gave it sovereign power Government was chosen by God to rule People living within that territory must obey their ruler as they would God
Social Contract Theory People living in a certain place gave up some power to a government In exchange, government promotes everyone’s well-being
Government Group of people and agencies entrusted with making and carrying out laws and policies agreed upon by the larger population
What kinds of power does a government have?
Legislative Power The power to make laws Legislative Branch: Congress (the Senate & the House of Representatives) Examples?
Executive Power The power to enforce (execute) laws Executive Branch: the President Examples?
Judicial Power The power to settle disputes & decide the meaning of laws Judicial Branch: the Supreme Court Examples?
The Preamble We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, Provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of Amerca
Chapter 1 Section 2
How Governments Are Classified Who can participate? – How many people? How is power divided geographically? What is the relationship between the people who make laws and those who carry them out?
Participants Democracy People have power Direct democracy (everyone participates) Representative democracy (elected representatives) Dictatorship Ruler(s) have complete power
Distribution of Power Local governments have more power than national government National and local governments have about equal power National government has more power than local governments
Legislature & Executive Popularly elected president Legislature and president can block each other Checks & balances Prime minister chosen by legislature PM is usually a member of the legislature No checks & balances
Democracy Chapter 1 Section 3
Foundations of Democracy Everyone has worth Everyone is equal Majority rule Compromise Everyone has freedom – to the extent that they don’t harm anyone else
Citizenship Who/what is a citizen? What are examples of a citizen’s rights? What are examples of a citizen’s duties? What are examples of a citizen’s responsibilities?
Free Enterprise The U.S. economy is based on the free enterprise system – Also called capitalism Based on competition – Between workers – Between businesses Government does not make most economic decisions