Principles of Government

Is Government Necessary? ???

What is a State? A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority. There are 198 states in the world.

State / Nation / Country What is a State? State / Province vs. State / Nation / Country

What are the Essential Features of a State? Population Territory Sovereignty Important

What is a Nation? Has population Might not have territory or sovereignty More than 800 nations Israel vs. Palestine

City States Modern Singapore Monaco Vatican City Ancient Athens Sparta

Other Terms You Need to Know Industrialized Nation Large industries Advanced technology Comfortable life for citizens Relatively high per capita income U.S., France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Canada Examples

Other Terms You Need to Know Developing Nation Beginning to develop major industry Trying to acquire technology Population is relatively poor Low per capita income Cuba, Angola, Paraguay, Nigeria, Vietnam Examples

Other Terms You Need to Know Many nations are somewhere between “industrialized” and “developing.” Mexico, India, China, most of South America, Romania, Bulgaria, Examples

Other Terms You Need to Know “Third World” Nation Little industry Little technology Very poor population Low per capita income Often in political turmoil Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Honduras, much of sub-Saharan Africa Examples

Theories of Origin of the State # 1 Evolutionary Theory The state developed out of the family unit.

Theories of Origin of the State #2 Force Theory The state developed out of the need for a leader for battle, for building defenses, digging a well, etc.

Theories of Origin of the State #3 Divine Right Theory God chose someone by having them born into the right family and it is wrong to oppose God’s choice. Egyptians Chinese Aztecs Europeans

Theories of Origin of the State #4 Social Contract Theory People have basic rights. They can agree to give certain authority to a leader or government. Radical Change

Purposes of Government 1 Maintain social order To avoid conflict with the group Establish society norms Marriage, crime, punishment, etc. Provide public services Provide national security Make economic decisions What to subsidize What to build How to maintain economic health 2 3 4 5

Basic Forms of Government 1 Great Britain Italy France Unitary System Central authority controls everything

Basic Forms of Government 1 Unitary System Central Government State Government Citizens Holds primary authority Regulates activities of states Little or no powers Duties regulated by central government Vote for central government officials

Basic Forms of Government 2 Independent states agree to work together Russia Confederate System

Basic Forms of Government 2 Confederate System Central government State government Citizens Limited powers to coordinate state activities Sovereign Allocate some duties to central government Vote for state government officials

Basic Forms of Government 3 U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, India, Australia National Federal System State Government County Government Municipal Government

Basic Forms of Government 3 Federal System Central Government State Government Citizens Shares power with states Shares power with central government Vote for both state and central government officials