Government s are the product of human needs and experiences

Government is the institution that makes and enforces law Politics is the process by which society decides how power and resources are used and distributed

 A State is the dominant political unit Characteristics of states: 1. Population 2. Territory 3. Sovereignty 4. Government

Force Theory: 1 person or a small group takes power and forces others to follow Evolutionary Theory: Society naturally moved from nomadic culture to patriarchal society Divine Right Theory: God created the state and gave those with royal birth the “divine right” to rule Social Contract Theory: A contract is created to form a government

 Thomas Hobbes  People agreed to give up what was necessary for the greater good  John Locke  People contracted with a ruler to protect their right to life, liberty and property. People could revolt if the ruler did not protect these rights  Jean Jacques Rousseau  People formed a community based on majority rule-true democracy

 To form a more perfect union  Establish justice  Create domestic tranquility  Common defense  Promote general welfare  The blessing of liberty

 Who can participate?  Geographic distribution of governmental power within a state  Relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government

 Worth of the individual  Equality of all persons  Majority rule vs. Minority rights  Necessity of compromise  Individual freedom