People and Government: 2 Objectives -TSW understand the roles served by government. -TWS understand how authority is divided within government.
The Purposes of Government **Governments must have authority, power, legitimacy, and coercive force. Maintaining Social Order -ways to resolve conflicts -Pass laws, set up courts, employ police, build prisons, issue money, enforce legal contracts, make traffic regulations, etc. -must limit what an individual can do -effective gov’t allows: -planning for future -getting an education -raising a family
2. Provide Public Services -essential services to promote general welfare that would be difficult or impractical for individuals to provide themselves. -Building of sewers, roads, schools -Laws on public health, safety, working conditions -Policies regarding transportation, communications, education
Providing National Security -protect against attack, invasion, terrorism -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 -has power to limit relations between our states and other nations.
4. Making Economic Decisions -reducing gap between rich and poor -aid to other nations - -Ex. Marshal Plan after WWII -national currency -controlling inflation -subsidies and tax breaks -regulating natural resources -encouraging trade with other nations