American Government Principals of Government Chapter 1 Section 1

Aristotle was a great philosopher. He studied government. Aristotle felt man was by nature a political animal. That is was his nature to want the order and laws of society. The main political unit of his day was the Greek city-state known as a polis. The word politics comes from the word polis.

Four Basic Characteristics of States. Population - all states must have people. Territory - a geographic area on the earth’s surface. Government - the people and institutions with authority to establish and enforce public policies. Sovereignty - the political authority to act independently.

Population May be large or small. May be very similar or very diverse in language, race, customs and culture They are given a special status known as citizenship Responsibilities - allegiance, paying taxes, obeying the law, serving the state in some way Rights - take part in politics, protection against attack

Territory The area within a definite, recognizable boundary that separates one state from another. Includes not only land but also coastal waters, inland waters, the air above the land and all natural resources on or under the land. Size of territory can vary greatly. Disputes over territory and boundaries have been the cause of many conflicts in history.

Government The people who run a nation may be called by a variety of terms. The institutions may include a constitution, a court system, a legislature, and army, and other established practices of a state. The government carries out public policies. Any course of gov’t action directed toward a national goal. Medical care, space program, welfare…...

Government (cont) The people and institutions of the gov’t need: Authority Right to make the rules. Power Force to be sure rules are followed Legitimacy People accept its authority and its right to lead.

Sovereignty The right of a country to make its own decisions and foreign policy without consulting anyone. Send and receive ambassadors. Protect it’s borders and keep foreigners out if it chooses.

Origins of Government Beginnings of organized gov’t took place more than 5000 years ago. Four birthplaces of civilization: Mesopotamia in western Asia Egypt along the Nile in northern Africa Yellow River plains in northern China Indus Valley in northeast India In each of these, wandering people settled down to build villages, plant and cultivate crops, and tame herds of animals.

Theories of Government Evolutionary-A natural state in the evolution of human society, growing out of the family relationship between parents and children. Force -A ruler took power by force. Divine Right - believed that a ruler’s power came from God and he could not be challenged. Social contract - idea that people willing contracted to give power to a government, in return they were protected.

Social Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes, English Philosopher, 1651 first to describe this theory John Locke, English Philosopher, 1690 made changes to Hobbes’ theory, made it more optimistic

Hobbes’ Theory People lived in a “state of nature” Hobbes’ Theory People lived in a “state of nature”. They had complete freedom to do as they pleased, provided they were powerful enough to do so. This was a dangerous way to live so they came together to create a state in which they made an agreement or “contract” in which one person was selected to rule over the rest. It was one sided because the people surrendered all their freedoms in return for protection.

Locke’s Theory People had “natural rights” to life, liberty, and property. People made a social contract and agreed to obey the government or ruler, to pay taxed, and to follow any reasonable laws. In return, the ruler was obliged to protect their “natural rights”. If he did not, the people were free to revolt and establish a new social contract with a new government.

Purpose of Government Four areas of policies-gov’t establishes and enforces Social order/Social standards National security/common defense Public services Control economic system

Social Order First responsibility of gov’t is to keep the society orderly and peaceful. (Aristotle) Burke believed that only in an orderly society can people achieve their individual and collective goals. Pass laws, set up courts, employ police, build prisons, issue money, enforce legal contracts, make traffic regulations, etc.

National Defense Gov’t must establish a defense system that provides security for the nation and its people. Maintains well-trained, well-equipped military force. Watch for internal threats such as treason or rebellion. Establish intelligence gathering agencies. Negotiate agreements, and treaties with foreign nations to protect national security.

Public Services National-State-Local Essential services that would be difficult or impractical for individuals to provide for themselves.(helps to keep order) Health-safety-transportation-communications-education-general welfare

Economic Decisions No government provides their citizens with everything they need or want. Pass the laws that shape the economic environment of the nation. Make choices about how to distribute public services and benefits. Control inflation, encourage trade, regulate use of natural resources.

Division of Authority Centralized power - unitary gov’t Sovereign states - confederation Divided powers - federalism

Centralized - Unitary Gov’t Central gov’t has authority over all political subdivisions within the state. Political subdivisions of such countries have only the limited authority that the central gov’t grants them. Main advantage- uniform, consistent policies, that apply basically to every person in the state. Main disadvantage - inflexibility.

Sovereign states: Confederation Two or more independent states join together to achieve some common goal. Each state retains its own sovereignty, giving only limited power to the central gov’t. Very unstable -not used in modern times. 1st gov’t of colonies was confederation, Articles of Confederation. American Indians formed confederations to fight white man. The south during the Civil War formed a confederacy.

Divided powers: federalism Constitution of 1787 was framework for the world’s first federal system. Political authority is divided between a national gov’t and its political subdivisions. Blend of the unitary and confederate system U.S., Canada, Australia, India, Mexico, Switzerland, Germany