What is Government And why does it exist

Government Is the institution through which a society makes and enforces it public policies Public Policies - all of those things a government decides to do. Income tax Setting minimum wage Maintaining armies Protecting the environment

What is a State? State “aka country” – a body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically- that is, under a government and having the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority. 4 Characteristics of a State 1. Population 2. Territory 3. Sovereignty 4. Government

1. Population Population – having people the size of the population has nothing to do with the existence of a state. Most of the population have many things in common Religion Races Languages Customs Nation

2. Territory Territory- a state must have very defined land boundaries United States North – Canada South - Mexico East – Atlantic Ocean West – Pacific Ocean

3. Sovereignty Sovereignty- each state has the ability and power to have complete power to rule itself A state can determine such things as: What type of government will rule the country What type of Economics the country will have Domestic Policies Foreign Policies

4. Government Every state has a government

4 Theories of the Origins of the State 1. Force Theory One person or group claim control over an area and forced all with in it to submit to the will of that person or group. With changing of leaders comes wars

4 Theories of the Origins of the State 2. The Evolutionary Theory This theory claims that the development of the state was passed down from family Normally the eldest males ruled and pass it down to their eldest son If no son to succeed them then sometimes the Forced theory will happen to see who the next ruler will be

4 Theories of the Origins of the State 3. Divine Right Theory Believed that God chose a person to become the ruler of a state People believed that that person was a god themselves

4 Theories of the Origins of the State 4. Social Contract Theory People give up certain rights to the government for the protection and well- being of all United States uses this type of theory Normally in a country with a Democracy

Purposes of Government 1. Providing Leadership 2. Maintaining Order 3. Providing Public Services 4. Providing National Security 5. Provide Economic Security/Assistance