Government What is government, and what are its purposes? agpZo

Foundations of Government and Economics Unit 1—American Government and Economic Systems

Origins of the State The state is the dominant political unit in today’s world Defined as “a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically (that is, with a government), and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority”

Origins of the State European philosophers believed that early human history was characterized by the absence of government, often referred to as a “state of nature” “State of nature” meant absolute freedom but no authority to protect one person from the aggressive actions of another Human beings overcame this condition by agreeing to create a state

Social Contract Theory Means that people voluntarily give up power to a government to protect their natural rights and serve their interests Free to remove that power at any time Important: Government can only create laws when it has the consent of the governed

Natural Rights Natural rights are God-given and cannot be taken away by any government Government exists to preserve our natural rights and is based on the consent of those who are governed Idea of consent derived from social contract theory

Government Defined as the legitimate use of force to control human behavior; also, the organization or agency authorized to exercise that force Purposes Maintain order Provide public goods  Definition / examples  How funded?  Private enterprise? Promote equality  Why controversial?

Democracy A system of government in which, in theory, the people rule, either directly or indirectly U.S. is a representative democracy Opposite of democracy is dictatorship, where leader has absolute power and authority (think Stalin)

Principles of Democracy The tenets of democracy are built upon five principles— 1. Worth of the individual 2. Equality of all persons 3. Majority rule, minority rights 4. Necessity of compromise 5. Individual freedom

Gotta Get Me Some Democracy!! Create an advertisement for democracy Read about your assigned concept on pages in American Government Create an advertising poster that uses visuals and a slogan to advertise one concept of democracy

C-R-A-P-ify Your Design

Gotta Get Me Some Democracy!! Create an advertisement for democracy Read about your assigned concept on pages in American Government Create a poster that uses visuals and a slogan to advertise one concept of democracy

Worth of the Individual A recognition of the fundamental worth of every person The democratic process reflects the collective set of individuals who make up society

Equality of All Persons Democratic concept insists that all individuals are entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law Equality of opportunity suggests that no person should be held back for any arbitrary reason, and must be free to develop him- or herself as fully as he/she can (or cares to) Equality before the law suggests that each person should be treated as the equal of all other persons before the law

Majority Rule, Minority Rights The will of the people determines public policy; that is, the majority of people will agree on satisfactory solutions to public problems The majority must always consider the rights of the minority, as the majority recognizes that at any time the minority may become the majority

Necessity of Compromise A matter of compromise to determine the position most acceptable to the largest number of people Because each individual is important and considered the equal of all others, it stands to reason that people can only make public decisions by way of compromise

Individual Freedom Right of the individual to be free as far as the freedom of all will allow Democracy does not and cannot insist on the absolute freedom of the individual person

9/4 Friday What is the US Constitution? What is the purpose? Consider course concepts we have covered when forming your answer.

Monday 2/8 What is the US Constitution? What is the purpose? US Archives Museum

Preamble to the US Constitution We the people We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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 America

Purpose of Government 1. form a more perfect Union  points to the failure of the AOC (Ratified 1781) 2. establish Justice  the law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial 3. insure domestic Tranquility  order is essential to the well-being of society 4. provide for the common defense 5. promote the general Welfare 6. secure the Blessings of Liberty  guarantee civil rights and liberties

Preamble Pictionary You and a partner must create a visual quiz for the preamble to the Constitution Take each of the concepts covered in class and draw a picture that another student can interpret and connect to the correct concept.

Purpose of Government 1. form a more perfect Union 2. establish Justice 3. insure domestic Tranquility 4. provide for the common defense 5. promote the general Welfare 6. secure the Blessings of Liberty

Structure of Constitution Provides basic framework for U.S. government Outlines basic principles, structure, and processes Three parts— Preamble Articles Amendments

peter-sagal/watch/a-more-perfect-union/ Start at 8 minutes 20 seconds

Fight For Ratification Federalists Favored ratification Stressed the weaknesses of the AOC Believed Constitution was strong enough to solve country’s problems Supported a federal government Led by Alexander Hamilton and James Madison Anti-Federalists Opposed ratification Believed Constitution was too strong Wanted a Bill of Rights added to protect individual freedoms from government abuse Supported a Confederate government Led by Patrick Henry and Samuel Adams

A New National Government States ratify the Constitution only after it was agreed that a Bill of Rights be added Constitution takes effect in 1789 BOR added in 1791 The Constitution is written in language that is deliberately vague as a result of compromise and to allow for flexibility

Basic Principles of the Constitution The language and structure of the Constitution reflects the basic principles of the U.S. government system Principles— Federalism Limited government Separation of powers Popular sovereignty Checks and balances Republicanism

Federalism The division of power between a central (national) government and several regional (state) governments That state governments are closer to the people and better reflect their wishes than the national government What do you think supporters of “states’ rights” believe?

laws/policy-areas/firearms-in-public- places/guns-in-schools/

Limited Government The idea that no one government is all-powerful, and that a government may only do those things that people have given it power to do

Popular Sovereignty Idea that the people are the only source for any and all governmental power (government can govern only with consent of the governed)

Republicanism (Representative Democracy) A form of government in which power resides with the people and is exercised by their elected representatives

Separation of Powers Legislative branch— makes the laws Executive branch— enforces the laws Judicial branch—applies and interprets the law

Checks and Balances A government structure that gives each branch some scrutiny of and control over the other branches