Government and the State

Government: the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies Public Policies: all of those things a government decides to do What is government?

Powers of Government Legislative: makes laws and frames public policies Executive: executes, enforces, and administers laws Judicial: interprets laws, settles disputes These powers of government are outlined in a country’s- Constitution: the body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government

Dictatorship vs. Democracy Power is held by a single person or a small group Democracy Power is held by the people

The State Four Characteristics Population: large or small, every state must be inhabited (have a population) Territory: every state must have land, with known and recognized borders Sovereignty: the state has absolute power within its territory. It can decide its own foreign and domestic policies Government: the mechanism through which a state makes and enforces its policies

Origin of the State

Which two best describe the origin of dictatorships? Which represent democracy?