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Features of Government

The State Def: 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

Nation Def: any sizable group of people united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, religion, etc. State = Nation

What makes a state a state?

Population: You must have people living there States with a social and political consensus have the most stable governments When people move, political power shifts

Territory: established boundaries Often a source of conflict between states May change War Negotiations Purchase

Sovereignty: complete independence Make laws Establish foreign policy Supreme authority within its territorial boundaries Government: institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services and enforces decisions that are binding

How Did Government Come About?

Theories! Evolutionary Theory: government grew from the family As families grew larger and larger they needed more organization

Force Theory: governments formed when all the people of one area were brought under the authority of one person or one group 3. Divine Right Theory: God created the state and chooses who rules

4. Social Contract Theory: People willingly surrender certain rights in order to maintain social order. In return, the government promises to protect them 1600’s Basis of modern US government

Thomas Hobbes People did not have the right to break their agreement with the government

John Locke People have the right to life, liberty, & property If the government doesn’t preserve these rights, the people can break the agreement

Government Authority Decisions can be enforced upon all of society Two sources of authority Legitimacy The willingness of the people to obey the government Coercive force Police, military, courts, etc.

Purposes of Government

Is this provided by the government? Waste Management?

Foreign Negotiations?

Develop a national currency?

Stabilize the Differences between rich and poor?

Solve conflicts between people?

Sewage systems?

Maintain Social Order Groups = Conflict Governments resolve conflict Make and enforce laws Force people to do things Establish court systems Place and enforce limitations

Provide Public Services Promote general welfare, health, and safety Sewer systems Garbage collection Food inspection

National Security Protect from attack Peaceful negotiations with foreign nations

Economic Decisions Set the economic tone of a country Attempt to reduce economic differences Reduce economic instability domestically and abroad

The Formation of Governments Governments usually function at different levels National Provinces or States Counties Towns and villages

-Unitary: All key power is held at the national level -Federal: Power is divided between the national and state/provincial level *National level is still supreme! Government Systems Government Systems

Constitutions Def: A plan that provides the rules for government Ideals that the people share Establishes the basic structure of the government and defines powers and duties Provides the supreme law of the land *Limits the government!

Two types of constitutions Unwritten Based on tradition, customs, or previous legislation Great Britain Written United States has the oldest written constitution (1787)

Constitutions are.................

Incomplete Writing out ALL of the laws, customs, ideals, etc. is impossible Doesn’t always reflect the actual practices of the government China Iraq under Saddam Hussein

A Statement of Goals Preamble: A statement that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government

A Framework for Government Articles Provides the plan for governments Relationship between national and state governments Procedure for changing the document

The Highest Law Superior, morally binding force Must be interpreted and applied

Politics Def: The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government Government influences daily life Different people = different, demands on the government Politics = peaceful way to compete

Goals of Politics Maximize benefits received while reducing the cost Turn values and beliefs into public policy

20th Century Governing

Inequalities Among States Industrialized Nations: Large industries and advanced technology US, Japan, Australia Developing States: Beginning to develop industrially Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia Newly Industrialized: Those countries in between Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Argentina

Interdependence Travel, trade, and communications among states are increasing Events in one nation impact events throughout the world Developing nations highly dependent on industrialized nations

Nonstate International Groups Political Movements (PLO) Multinational Corporations (Nike) International Organizations (UN) All impact policies and decisions in many nations throughout the world

Chapter 1 Section3: Types of Governments

Autocracy Totalitarian dictatorship Def: Rule by one person Oldest and most common form of government Totalitarian dictatorship Ideas of a single leader are glorified Government controls all aspects of social and economic life Ruthless use of power Rulers are unlimited in their power

Monarchy King, Queen, or Emperor Usually inherited Absolute Monarchs Complete and unlimited power Rarely found today Constitutional Monarchs Power limited by a constitution Power shared with elected legislatures

Oligarchy Def: Rule by a small group Power is derived from wealth, military power, social position, religion, or a combination Usually suppress political opposition Legislatures elected by the people are usually only for show

Democracy *The people VOTE giving them the most power! Def: Rule by the people Direct democracy People vote on every issue Representative democracy People elect representatives and allow them to make decisions *The people VOTE giving them the most power!

Characteristics of a Democracy

Individual Liberty People are as free as possible Equal opportunity to develop talents and capabilities to the fullest extent

Majority Rule & Minority Rights Decisions are based on a majority-rules system Rights of the minority group must also be protected Japanese internment camps during WWII

Free Elections “One person, one vote” principle Candidates can express their views freely Citizens are free to help candidates Voting requirements are kept to a minimum No fear of punishment for voting choices

Competing Political Parties Political Party: group of individuals with broadly common interests Rival parties give voters a choice Help to keep the focus on the main issues “Loyal opposition” Keeps those in power responsible to the people

Requirements for a Democracy

Citizen Participation People must be WILLING to take part in civic life Downward trend in the US

2. Favorable Economy No extremes in wealth and poverty Economic freedom at the individual level Stable, growing economies

3. Education Informed decisions are a must! A powerful, uneducated public will lead to a disaster

4. Civil Society Voluntary associations, economic groups, religious organizations, etc. Make views known to the government and the public Gives citizens the means to protect their rights Red Cross, Humane Societies, NRA

5. Social Consensus General agreement on the purposes and limits of government as well as the general ideals of the country

Chapter 1 Section 4: Economic Systems

The Government’s Role What and how much should be produced How goods and services should be produced Who gets the goods and services that are produced

Capitalism Economic freedom of choice & individual incentive for workers Free enterprise/Private Ownership. Freedom of choice = betterment of society. Economic decisions made by buyers and sellers (Supply and Demand).

Adam Smith Economic Philosopher “The Wealth of Nations” (1776) Laissez-faire “to let alone” Government is “hands off”

5 Characteristics of Capitalism Private ownership and control of property and economic resources Free enterprise Competition among businesses Freedom of choice Possibility of profit

The United States Government = Preserve the free market Role in the economy is increasing Regulates foreign trade Largest buyer of goods and services Becoming involved in labor disputes Social programs

Mixed-Market Economies Free enterprise combined with and supported by government decisions in the marketplace Government keeps competition free and fair Protects public interests Monopolies

Socialism Government owns the basic means of production Determines the use of resources - Distributes products and wages - Provides social services

Goals of Socialism Distribute wealth and economic opportunities equally among people Societal control of all production Public ownership of most land

Democratic Socialism People have basic human rights and some control over the government through elections Opposition Stifles individual initiative High taxes hinder economic growth Could lead to a dictatorship?

Communism One-class society with all property distributed equally. -Communism = state control of all land, natural resources, industries, and forms of communication.

Karl Marx “Communist Manifesto” Class Struggle: Bourgeoisie v. Proletariat Bourgeoisie = owners Proletariat = workers Revolution: workers overthrow owners, take means of production.

Communism= Command economy Government planners decide how much to produce, what to produce, and how to distribute goods and services. No economic freedom. Often fail to provide adequate standards of living.

Essay Compare and contrast two of the three forms of government (autocracy, oligarchy and democracy) that were discussed in class.

Economic Systems according to Cows You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

Economic Systems according to Cows You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

Economic Systems according to Cows You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.