Principles of Government

Government and the State “If men were angels, no government would be necessary” James Madison Federalist #51

Government and the State “………In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. James Madison Federalist #51

What is Government? Government – Institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. What are public policies? They are all of the things that a government decides to do. Ex. Defense, education, taxation, health care

Origins of Government earliest known evidences of government date from ancient Egypt Greek city states The Roman Republic Greek philosopher Aristotle stated, “man is by nature a political animal” What did he mean?

What Is Politics? Politics is the means by which government is conducted. Politics enables a society to decide who will reap the benefits, and who will pay the costs, of its public policies. Are politics and government the same? No Politics is a process, government is an institution.

The State Dominant political unit in the world More than 190 in the world Vary in size, military power, natural resources, and economic importance Four characteristics: Population Territory Sovereignty Government

Thomas Hobbes stated that government is necessary to avoid, “the war of every man against every man.” also stated there would be, “continual fear and danger of violent death and life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” from Leviathan

Major Political Ideas Four theories as to the origin of the state: The Force Theory The Evolutionary Theory The Divine Right Theory The Social Contract Theory