Government (ch.1) “Man is by nature a political animal, it is his nature to live in a state” Ancients Greeks Romans “state” (country-nation)

Athens OR

Govt A state must have…… -geographic area -population -government -sovereignty Can we dispute any of these qualifications?

The Chosen A deadly comet has passed very closely to planet earth. The tail of the comet was made up of a deadly gas that has turned all humans to dust. The teachers and administration at WHS rushed outside to help, leaving the students inside. The gas had not dissipated and “dusted” them. Everyone inside of the high school has survived. The comet has passed and there are no lasting effects of this freak occurrence.

govt Government - people and institutions with authority to establish and enforce public policies. (people / institutions) Public policy Origins of the state Force theory Evolutionary theory Divine Right theory Social contract theory

govt Purpose of govt More perfect union- coordinate resources Establish justice- mediate between citizens Domestic tranquility- protect citizens Common defense- foreign affairs General welfare- provide services for citizens Secure blessings of liberty- promote freedom and prosperity

Forms of govt 3 ways govt can be identified 1) who can participate? 2) Geographic distribution of govt power within the state 3) Relationship between the legislative branch and the executive branch

Who can participate? *Democracy -Direct Democracy - (initiative petition) (town meeting) -Indirect Democracy - (Republic) Remember Popular Sovereignty

Who can participate? Dictatorship / Authoritarian -Autocracy (Monarchy) (Totalitarian) -Oligarchy (Aristocracy) (Theocracy) (Junta)

Who can participate? Dictatorships - most today not controlled by one person Elections rubber stamp legislatures gain power by force (militaristic)

Robert Mugabe Bashar al-Assad Omar al-Bashir

Geographic distribution of govt power within the state Unitary govt - National govt is the only govt. Local govts only relieve the national govt they have none of own power. Federalism - division of powers Confederate govt - alliance of independent states states cooperate with each other states keep sovereignty and identity (U.N.) (NATO) (OPEC)

Relationship between legislative and executive branches Presidential govt - separation of powers branches are independent and co-equal. Who is more powerful? (checks & balances) Parliamentary govt -executive branch = P.M. & cabinet -legislative branch = Parliament -P.M. & cabinet are also members of parliament - chosen by parliament

Compare govts United States Great Britain Cuba Democracy Dictatorship Federalism Unitary Presidential Parliamentary

Foundations of Democracy Our Democracy means well - not perfect-work in progress Individualism - important - but you can be forced to do things Equality of all persons - “all men are created equal” equal opportunity - equality before the law Affirmative action?

Foundations of Democracy Majority rule / Minority rights -Democracy doesn’t have right answers - but satisfactory answers (majority rule) -majority rule is checked by minority rights - if not democracy would fall Compromise Individual freedom (liberty) - (thought and action) (ACLU) - you are as free as the law will allow

Free Enterprise System U.S. economic system = free enterprise *Basics: private ownership individual initiative profit competition

Free enterprise system Law of supply & demand Mixed Economy freedom + govt involvement in economy