Unit 1 What is Government?

Government The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

Four Essential Features of a State: The State A body of people , living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority Four Essential Features of a State: Population Government Territory Sovereignty

Nation Any sizable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and, sometimes religion. Nation-State A country in which the territory of the state, and a cultural nation of people are in the same place.

Public Policies All of the things that a government decides to do.

Examples of Public Policy Defense Taxation Education Crime Control Health Care Transportation Environment Civil Rights Working Conditions

Have power to make and implement public policy Governments Have power to make and implement public policy

Every government consists of three basic powers Legislative Executive Judicial The power to create laws The power to enforce laws The power to interpret laws, to settle disputes that arise within a society.

A governments power is often outlined in a country’s constitution

Constitution A body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government

Four Theories on the Origin of the State Evolutionary Theory State evolved over time Divine Right Theory God made the state Force Theory Took over the state by force Social Contract Theory Unwritten contract, people give up rights for protection from the state

The Social Contract Thomas Hobbes John Locke - man is essentially _______ and must be _____________ by government EVIL CONTROLLED John Locke - man is essentially good, and governments allow people to act together as a _______ to accomplish more ______ TEAM WORK

Philosophers Montesquieu – spirit of laws, idea of separation of powers Blackstone – theory of common law Rousseau – freedom, equality, and justice for all…politics and morality should be separated

Six Goals of our Constitution We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.