Principles of Government Government’s are the product of human needs and experiences

Government and Politics Government is the institution that makes and enforces law Politics is the process by which society decides how power and resources are used and distributed

Nation States A State is the dominant political unit Characteristics of states: Population Territory Sovereignty Government

How do states form? Force Theory: 1 person or a small group takes power and forces others to follow Evolutionary Theory: Society naturally moved from nomadic culture to patriarchal society Divine Right Theory: God created the state and gave those with royal birth the “divine right” to rule Social Contract Theory: A contract is created to form a government

Social Contract Theorists Thomas Hobbes People agreed to give up what was necessary for the greater good John Locke People contracted with a ruler to protect their right to life, liberty and property. People could revolt if the ruler did not protect these rights Jean Jacques Rousseau People formed a community based on majority rule-true democracy

What are the purposes of Government? To form a more perfect union Establish justice Create domestic tranquility Common defense Promote general welfare The blessing of liberty

How do you classify a government? Who can participate? Geographic distribution of governmental power within a state Relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government

Classify the governments of these states

Classify the governments of these states

What are the concepts of Democracy? Worth of the individual Equality of all persons Majority rule vs. Minority rights Necessity of compromise Individual freedom

THEORIES OF U.S. DEMOCRACY PLURALIST THEORY A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies Groups will work together Public interest will prevail ELITIST THEORY A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule Policies benefit those with money and power