An Introduction to Government

What is Freedom? Is freedom an absolute? Do we have to give up freedom to obtain or have freedom? What do you think Freedom is? Write a 7-10 sentence paragraph explaining what freedom is to you.

Why do we have Governments? To form Unions Establish Justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide a Common Defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessing of Liberty Would someone please volunteer to go and read the Preamble of the Constitution

Theories on Gov’t Divine Right: God grants authority to rule to Royalty. Social Contract Theory: Developed by John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau and Thomas Hobbes. It is a Gov't that is created out of necessity by a voluntary act of free people. It serves to the will of the people that are the source of political power and can give or take it away as they choose.

Forms of Government Unitary Gov’t: one single central agency Federal Gov’t: Central and Local Gov’t Confederate Gov’t: An alliance of independent states Presidential Gov’t: Separation of powers between Executive and Legislative branches

Forms of Government Cont. Parliamentary Gov’t: Executive branch headed by Prime Minister, chosen by Legislative body out of the body. Dictatorship Gov’t: Those who are in power are not held responsible by the people.

What’s all the talk about…really? Democracy What’s all the talk about…really?

Democracy Supreme political authority rests with the people People hold sovereign power Gov’t run by the consent of the people Two forms of Democracy Direct: People’s will is translated into public policy Representative: Small groups chosen by the people to represent their wants and needs. This is called Gov’t with the consent of the governed

Basic Concepts of Democracy in the United States A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person A respect for the equality of all persons A faith in majority rule and an insistence up on minority rights An acceptance of the necessity of compromise An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom

Final Thoughts on Democracy Democracy is not a perfect system Its more of less a system of trial and error and learning from those errors