Government Foundations
Origins of the State Population Territory Government Sovereignty
Purposes of Government Maintain National Defense Establish a well trained military to protect against outside invasions Negotiate treaties to protect national security Provide Public Services Health, Safety, Transportation, Communications, Education, General Welfare Provide Public Goods
Purposes of Government Provide Order in Society Make laws to prevent crime and ensure safety Settle disputes Provide police to capture and punish criminals Issue money Socialize citizens into political culture Pass laws to enforce the standards of gov’t leaders Pass laws regulating drugs, licensing, age limits, etc.. Collect taxes to pay for services
Theories of Government Divine Right : Power to rule comes from God and can’t be taken away Social Contract: People give power to one leader in exchange for protection
Divine Right Theory State was created by God God granted sovereignty to a “royal” family Population was bound to obey the divine right ruler Widely held theory until 15th - 18th centuries in all parts of the world (Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian, European, Asian)
Social Contract Theory Developed in 17th and 18th centuries State arises out of a voluntary act of free people; form a contract State exists only to serve the will of the people Popular sovereignty, limited government, individual rights Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau
Forms of Government Power Governing Anarchy (No government) Limited Government (individual freedom/choice) Authoritarian/Totalitarian (Government controls everything) Governing Unitary: National Government Rules Confederation: State Governments Rule Federal State: State and National Gov’t share power
Forms of Government Rulers Autocracy: is rule by one Monarchy: power inherited (heredity) Absolute monarchy: king and queen have total control over citizens and power is not questioned; most common form until the late 18th century; only one today is Saudi Arabia Constitutional monarchy: king or queen shares power with other branches of government; most common form today; power is limited to ceremonial; must follow the laws of the country Dictatorship: One person gains and holds power through force Comes to power through violence; uses military to hold power; no orderly means or succession
Rulers (cont’d) Oligarchy: rule by few Usually a small group of rich and powerful people EX. Aristocracy or Theocracy Democracy: rule by all Direct: everyone votes on everything Representative: choose people to speak on our behalf (REPUBLIC) The United States is a representative democracy with a limited federal system
Influential Documents Code of Hammurabi Magna Carta English Petition English Bill of Rights