Origins and Functions of U.S. Government

Essential feature of a state Population Fixed boundaries Sovereignty or absolute authority, within territorial boundaries Order, public services, enforcement, obedience Why do you think many people claim the government has too much power and control over their lives?

Purposes of government Maintain social order (laws) Provide essential services (health, safety) Protect from external attack (other countries) and internal attack (terrorism) Shape and control the economy Do you think the government has too much or too little control over the economy of the U.S. ?

Government systems Federal – divides power between national and state government Ours is a federal system of government Unitary – all key powers to national government Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state’s power is unlimited and is used to control virtually all aspects of public and private life. This control extends to all political and financial matters, as well as the attitudes, morals, and beliefs of the people. (Germany, North Korea Authoritarian is characterized by a strong central government that allows the people a limited degree of political freedom. However, the political process, as well as all individual freedoms, is controlled by the government without any constitutional accountability (China, Iran) What are the major advantages of a federal system of government?

Constitutions, government and politics CONSTITUTION: Plan that provides rules for government Organizes structure and way it operates Sets out goals and purposes Provides the supreme law Politics is the effort to control or influence govt policy and action Why do you think some citizens consider politics as negative?

Strength of democracy Environments that favor the development of democratic sys of government Citizen participation in civic life Stable, growing economy; large middle class Public school system Strong civil society with network of volunteer organizations Citizen acceptance of democratic values (liberty, equality)

Political heritage English colonist brought European principles with them that shaped our government. Magna Carta: limited government for first time in England Colonists fully believed in representative form of government John Locke had heavy influence House of Burgesses – representative form of govt in Virginia

Colonial unity and independence Britain allowed colonist limited self-government due to distance Tightened control after French and Indian War; levied harsh taxes to pay for French and Indian War. Colonists sent petitions to king and he ignored Organized a Continental Congress for Revolution Declaration of Independence; Thomas Jefferson Continental Army; George Washington

Articles of confederation Single chamber Congress with limited powers Each state one vote; no executive branch; no court system’ No power to collect taxes, regulate trade, enforce laws Amendments required approval of ALL states Fair policy for developing Western land Set up departments which later led to cabinet members Establish post office Which of the above do you see as strengths? Weaknesses? In 1787, poor farmers from western Massachusetts fighting against high taxes followed Daniel Shay in an attempt to seize the arms stockpiled at the Springfield Armory. Shay's Rebellion showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. When the central government couldn't put down the rebellion, the first stirrings of federalism began to gather strength. ... The government gave most powers to the states, and the central government consisted only of a legislature.

Constitutional convention Secret meetings; each state one vote; decisions by majority vote Delegates did not agree on everything but could work together because they had strong leadership and common purpose Virginia Plan: strong executive, 2 house legislature (lower house chosen by people; upper house chosen by lower), favored large states New Jersey Plan: weak executive; one house legislature; one vote each state; favored small states

Constitutional convention Connecticut Compromise: 2 house legislature; House of Representatives based on population; Senate two per state regardless of size (satisfied both large and small states) Federalist wanted strong national government; Anti-Federalists wanted more power for the states and refused to ratify without a Bill of Rights (Individual Citizen Rights). Once a Bill of Rights was added, it was ratified and George Washington became President of the United States.