Principles of Government Chapter 1 Section 1

Four characteristics of a state Theories of origin of government Goals for this lesson Four characteristics of a state Theories of origin of government

**Ideas of government go all the way back to the time of Aristotle. Aristotle -One of the first student’s of government -Felt man was by nature a political animal. -It was man’s nature to want order and laws of society. -The main political unit of his day was the Greek city-state known as a polis. -The word politics comes from the word “polis”. -Words such as politics, democracy, and republic originated in ancient Greece and Rome.

What is the difference between a country and a state? *Nothing. They mean the same thing. *The word state precisely identifies a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority. Ex. The U.S. is an independent state. There are nearly 200 States worldwide.

When the 13 colonies declared their independence, each Why do we call our states “states” if a state is actually a country? When the 13 colonies declared their independence, each thought of itself as its own country. -Later joined together as one under the Constitution -Continued to describe the political units as states. Nation- -Used to describe independent state or country. **Could also be any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion. Ex. Israel is a state and a Jewish nation.

Four Basic Characteristics of States 1. Population - people. 2. Territory - a geographic area on the earth’s surface. 3. Government - people and institutions with authority to establish and enforce public policies. 4. Sovereignty - political authority to act independently.

Population -nature of its people affect stability -states with a general consensus or agreement on beliefs have the most stable governments. Ex.- -U.S. citizens agree to democracy -also affected by mobility Ex. - -As we move around political power is modified. States with the most people get the most representation in House of Reps and electoral votes for president. -May be large or small. -May be very similar or very diverse in language, race, customs and culture. -They are given a special status known as citizenship. * Responsibilities - allegiance, paying taxes, obeying the law, serving the state in some way *Rights - take part in politics, protection against outside attack

Territory The area within a definite, recognizable boundary that separates one state from another. Includes not only land but also coastal waters, inland waters, the air above the land, and all natural resources on or under the land. Size of territory can vary greatly. Disputes over territory and boundaries have been the cause of many conflicts in history. May change due to: -War - -Ex. –Japan loses territory at end of WWII -Negotiations- -British give Hong Kong to China in 1999 -Purchase- -U.S. buys Alaska from Russia

Sovereignty -Key characteristic of a state -Political Sovereignty- -means that a state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial borders. -Complete power to: -make laws -shape foreign policy -determine its own course of action -receive diplomats and ambassadors -protect its own territory and keep foreigners out Ex. The U.S. has been a sovereign state since 1776.

Government -The institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all living in the state. -The people who run a nation may be called by variety of terms. -The institutions may include a constitution, a court system, a legislature, an army, and other established practices of a state. -The government carries out public policies. -Any course of government action directed toward a national goal. Medical care, space program, welfare, road construction, etc. The people and institutions of the gov’t need: Authority- -Right to make the rules. Power- -Force to be sure rules or followed. Legitimacy- -People accept its authority and its right to lead.

Theories of Government 1. Evolutionary – -A natural state in the evolution of human society, growing out of the family relationship between parents and children. -Extended family might include 100s. -Abraham in the Bible -Eventually group will be large enough to need more organization. -Family to clan to tribe

2. Force -A ruler took power by force. As long as he was strong enough he kept control. -People cooperate: -for protection -to build public works projects -to promote religion

3. Divine Right -believed that a ruler’s power came from God and he could not be challenged. -Egyptians, Chinese, Mayans, Aztecs, early kings of England -believed rulers were descendants of the gods or appointed by God himself. -To oppose the king would be treason and sin.

4. Social Contract -idea that people themselves had the rights or power of government -people give up some rights in exchange for protection. -1st theory to acknowledge people themselves have power. Two Ideas on Social Contract Theory (emerged in 1600s) Thomas Hobbes- -people are brutish, mean, selfish - -people need government for protection from one another. - -give up rights for protection - -no rights to break this agreement 2. John Locke- -people born with natural rights of life, liberty, property -people make agreement with gov’t to pay taxes, follow laws, etc. -gov’t agrees to protect rights of people -people can revolt and overthrow gov’t if it doesn’t protect rights.