Principles of Government

What is Government? Government - the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy Public policy – the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

Purpose of Government Form a more perfect union ( strong union of states while maintaining state sovereignty) Establish justice (reasonable, fair laws) Insure domestic tranquility (keep public order) Provide for the common defense (national security)

Promote the general welfare (provide public services and promote economics Secure the blessings of liberty (promote individual freedoms)

Sound familiar? It should It comes from the

Forms of Government Anarchy Autocracy (rule by one) – Absolute monarchy – Constitutional monarchy – Dictatorship Oligarchy (rule by few) – Aristocracy (rule by elite) – Theocracy (rule by religion) Democracy (rule by the people) – Direct democracy (citizens meet and decide issues) – Representative democracy (citizens choose officials who make decisions) AnarchyAutocracyOligarchyDemocracy

orange - parliamentary republicsparliamentary republics green - presidential republics, executive presidency linked to a parliamentexecutive presidencyparliament yellow - presidential republics, semi-presidential systemsemi-presidential system blue - presidential republics, full presidential systemfull presidential system red - parliamentary constitutional monarchies in which the monarch does not personally exercise powerparliamentaryconstitutional monarchies magenta - constitutional monarchies in which the monarch personally exercises power, often (but not always) alongside a weak parliamentconstitutional monarchies purple - absolute monarchiesabsolute monarchies brown - republics where the dominant role of a single party is codified in the constitutionsingle party beige - states where constitutional provisions for government have been suspended grey - countries which do not fit any of the above systems

Theories of Democratic Government Theories about who has power and influence Traditional democratic theory: gov’t depends on consent of the governed (direct or representative) Pluralist theory: interest groups compete for power and influence – Conflict may require bargaining and compromise

Elite theory: small powerful elite rules in its own interest (business, military, etc) Bureaucratic theory: structures and procedures allow bureaucrats to hold the real power Hyperpluralism: democracy is a system of many groups that have so much strength they are often pulled in many directions – Causes gridlock and ineffectiveness

Origins of US Government Greeks & Romans: – First democratic governments Magna Carta: (1215) – First attempt to limit power of British king – Created by nobility – Trial by jury, due process, protection against taking life, liberty or property Creation of Parliament: – Began as advisory group to king – As power of king became more limited, they began making laws

Petition of Right: (1628) – Extended protections of Magna Carta to commoners – Also included: No tax without consent of Parliament, declaring martial law No housing military in homes Trial by jury English Bill of Rights: (1689) – Guaranteed free parliamentary elections – Fair and speedy trial – No excessive bail or cruel punishment – No suspending public laws

Enlightenment Philosophers: – Idea of a social contract (John Locke) – Voluntary agreement between the government and the governed – People are born with natural rights – Governments are created by man – If the government becomes abusive, people may change it – Jefferson adopted these ideas in the Declaration of Independence