Chapter One-Principles of Government Or What the Heck is Government?!!???!!!!?????!!! I. Section 1: The Basics of Government and the State

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1:

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived? 4.) What would life be like without government?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived? 4.) What would life be like without government? 5.) What are the key concepts of the American Democratic governmental system?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived? 4.) What would life be like without government? 5.) What are the key concepts of the American Democratic governmental system? 6.) Are we alone in the universe? -If not, what governmental system would aliens use?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived? 4.) What would life be like without government? 5.) What are the key concepts of the American Democratic governmental system? 6.) Are we alone in the universe? -If not, what governmental system would aliens use? 7.) What’s your favorite thing that government has ever done?

Questions to Ponder for Chapter 1: 1.) Why does government exist? What is the purpose of government? 2.) What major forms of government exist in the world today? 3.) Is a tireswing the best piece of playground equipment ever conceived? 4.) What would life be like without government? 5.) What are the key concepts of the American Democratic governmental system? 6.) Are we alone in the universe? -If not, what governmental system would aliens use? 7.) What’s your favorite thing that government has ever done? 8.) How many of these questions should I really ponder?

Think, Pair, Share Do we need government? What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? What is total absence of government? Anarchy -Would you want that?

A. Definition of Government A. Institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. 1. Public Policy: All the things that a government decides to do

2. Three types of powers in a Government (and the three branches of government in the United States) a. Legislative powers: make laws b. Executive powers: execute, administer, and enforce laws c. Judicial powers: interpret laws and settle disputes

What are the Characteristics of a Nation-State? What are the four things that a state must have to be a Nation-State (a.k.a. an independent country)? -Find the people that share your birthday month and quickly try to answer this.

B. Definition of a State 1. Body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and able to make and enforce laws

C. The Characteristics of a Nation-State: 1.) Territory: you need land 2.) People: you need a population a. Heterogeneous population: different races and types of people throughout the country b. Homogeneous population: people are all alike 3.) Government: organized decision making structure 4.) Sovereignty: you have to have power over yourself

D. Basics of U.S. Government 1.) 3 Powers through 3 branches of government 2.) Federal system of government (power shared between central and local governments) 3.) Elected Officials (you’ll see more on that later)

D. Basics of U.S. Government 4.) 4 characteristics of a state for the U.S. a. Territory: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands b. Population: 316 million people got this one covered c. Government: Present at all levels (federalism) d. Sovereignty: We have control of our own country

How do some other countries compare? (Time to use your BYOD’s!!!!) Name a country where the three powers of government are not divided amongst branches of government: ________ Name a country where elected officials are not the leaders: ______________ Name a country where religious leaders are the leaders: ______________________ Name a country where military leaders are the leaders: _____________________

How do some other countries compare? (Time to use your BYOD’s!!!!) 4 characteristics of a state: Name a country with a vastly different territory setup: ___________________ Name a country with a very different population: ___________________ Name a country with a homogeneous population: _________________ Name a country with a heterogeneous population: __________________ Government (I think we covered this one before) Sovereignty: Name a country that doesn’t have (or at some point didn’t have) complete sovereignty: _____________________ Who ruled over them? _________________________

E. Theories of the Origin of the State These are just theories-none of the following has been proven or not proven to be the origin of government. Different areas of the world say government starts by a different theory.

1. Force Theory a. One person or group used force to claim control of an area. b. Example: Dictatorship

2. Evolutionary Theory a. State developed out of the early family a step by step process. b. Cave man, to family of cavemen, to clans, to tribes, to government.

3. Divine Right Theory a. God gave/gives people the “right” to rule. b. Kings and Queens of Europe claimed this

4. Social Contract Theory a. American system based on this theory b. Humans agreed to form a state in order to protect themselves from other groups i. Gave up power to promote well being of all. c. Three purposes of the social contract: i. Promotes popular sovereignty ii. Maintains limited government iii. Promotes individual rights of life liberty and property.

Social Contract of Hobbes, Rousseau, Locke, & Montesquieu Power belongs to the people People may give that power to a government or ruler People have the right to take that power away from an unjust ruler or government

4. Social contract theory (continued) D. The Preamble of the Constitution is a great example of a Social Contract It’s also where the six purposes of government can be found. What are they? Find someone wearing the same color clothes you are and figure this out

What the Preamble says:

F. The Purpose of Government 1. Form a more perfect Union To be successful a country must be united 2. Establish Justice The law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial 3. Insure Domestic Tranquility Keep order and peace at home

F. The Purpose of Government 4. Provide for the Common Defense Defend and deal with foreign countries/enemies Why countries have armed forces 5. Promote the General Welfare Provide services for the people Make sure the people are taken care of 6. Secure the Blessing of Liberty Make sure people have their rights and freedom