Principles of Government Chapter One Notes Updated 2015

What is Government? What happens if there is NO government in a state/country? What does a government provide for its people?

Government is… …is a group of people and agencies entrusted with making and carrying out laws & policies agreed on by the larger population.

What does government do for you?

Every government has 3 types of power!

Theories that existed at time of establishment of U.S. Gov. Force Theory – claimed control over a territory & forced people to submit Evolutionary Theory – primitive families allowed heads of families to rule Divine Right Theory – God created the state & those with royal birth had “divine right of kings”. Divine Right, 15th – 18th Centuries

Divine Right- European Kings People give up their “individual sovereignty” in exchange for the peace & to a monarchy-King with absolute power! From Thomas Hobbes (1588-1678) Humans had lived in a “state of nature” but entered the “Social Contract” out of necessity; gave power to a King in exchange for safety and services. 17th- 18th Centuries- people have common need for security and agreed to form the state, the people gave power to the government so it could keep people safe and promote well-being. According to Thomas Hobbes, governments have these powers as part of the ‘social contract’—that is, people give up their ‘individual sovereignty’ in exchange for the peace and order that governments provide.  

Idea of Natural Rights- Democracy Rights that cannot be taken away “God given rights” Rights not from gov’t From John Locke (1632-1704) Declaration of Independence largely based on Locke- ideas of democracy over monarchy. Jefferson: “life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” Why do we have a government? English philosopher John Locke argued that governments exist in order to protect the ‘natural rights’ of the citizens—rights that are God-given, not created by any government—such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   The Declaration of Independence was based in large part on the work of John Locke.

Hobbes & Locke Both Hobbes and Locke believed that governments should serve to protect the public good. Does our government always meet that standard? This is a question we will examine throughout the course. According to Thomas Hobbes, governments have these powers as part of the ‘social contract’—that is, people give up their ‘individual sovereignty’ in exchange for the peace and order that governments provide.  

Articles of Confederation- Failed The Constitution- Exist today! Founding Fathers attempts to create government after independence from England. Articles of Confederation- Failed The Constitution- Exist today!

Preamble of Constitution 1st line- We the people On Final exam students will need to recognize these goals and apply the knowledge. Do a reading of the Constitution preamble and discuss!! On final exam & throughout recognize the main principles set forth in Preamble… Use Video: School House Rock Preamble & reading of the Preamble

Purpose of our Gov’t – stated in Preamble of Constitution Form a More Perfect Union help the states work together cooperatively Establish Justice citizens should be treated fairly Insure Domestic Tranquility maintain order within society

Purposes (con’t) Promote the General Welfare Provide for the Common Defense Protect us against foreign enemies Promote the General Welfare provide services to benefit citizens Secure the Blessings of Liberty make sure that future generations continue to enjoy the same freedoms that we have

Citizens Duties= required Add Duties: Attend School; Pay Taxes; Responsibilities: Volunteering, voting, participating in civil life Part of that “social contract” Duties: obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, & going to school & registering for the draft (currently men) Responsibilities: voting, community &/ or political involvement, respect for other views

Preamble/Purpose of Government Review/discussion two or three aspects of the preamble are the most important? Review video clips Discovery Education- John Locke School House Rock, The Preamble

Many different types of governments in the world! Notes from Ch. 1 sections 2 & 3 Governments differ in how power is distributed among national, state, and local levels of authority. There are three different systems:  

Democracy …in a Democracy – the citizens have the power & elect their political leaders “Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Two types of Democracies Direct Democracy – people vote directly on policies- town meetings… Representative Democracy/Indirect Democracy citizens elect leaders and then authorize those leaders to make decisions.

in a Dictatorship – rulers are not held accountable to the people Often totalitarian: controls nearly all aspects of people’s lives Autocracy – single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy – small, often self-appointed elite hold the power

Dictators

American Economic System Our economic system is based on similar principles to our political system of democracy.  Both emphasize equality of opportunity and a belief in individual freedom. Free enterprise system. Our economic system (the free enterprise system, or capitalism) is based on similar principles to our political system of democracy.   Both emphasize equality of opportunity and a belief in individual freedom.

Free Enterprise System Other name for the US economic system or capitalism which is based on similar principles in our democracy Private ownership; investments made by private decisions; success/ failure determined by competition in the market Individual initiative, profit

Gov’t has duty to protect the public and preserve private enterprise Done by all 3 levels of gov’t

Capitalism & Free Enterprise Economic System

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