Government

Welcome to Government Class! Absent Webpage Classroom Expectations Test Retakes High Achieving Student

Midterm Elections… What were the results? How do these results impact you? Our Government?

Midterm Elections There are six different stations around the room. Move to each station and read the article, look at the statistics, analyze the cartoon, and write a response. Your response, quality of response, and time will be graded. Be a high achieving student!

Share results Each group will share comments about each topic/picture/graph/cartoon/article.

Reflection What do the results of the midterm elections say about the feelings of Americans toward our current government? View this at a local level, state level, and a national level. Your responses will be turned in.

How did organized rule in society begin?

Principles of Government What is “the state” ? Taken from the Latin stare (to stand) a state is a political community that occupies a definite territory; having an organized government with the authority to make and enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority. Synonymous with the term country and nation-state This is NOT a state in the United States. * Not to be confused with nation, which is defined as a group of people united by some common bond. Such as…

What are the features of a state? Principles of Government What are the features of a state? Population Territory / land Sovereignty – supreme and absolute power within its territorial boundaries. For example… Government – the institution and processes through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions. Such as…

Principles of Government Origins of the State How did states and governments come into being? Four theories: Evolution Theory Force Theory Divine Right Social Contract

Evolution Theory Examples… Principles of Government States evolved from family units Families grew into large extended units or tribes Heads of the family served as a government How so… Evolved into tribal councils with a hierarchy of authority Examples…

Force Theory Principles of Government Governments emerged when people are were brought under the control of some authority States emerged from the conquest of other families or tribes

Divine Right Principles of Government Belief that kings are chosen by a deity to rule the state Ancient examples include Egyptians and Aztecs 15th Century Europe, the belief is used by royalty as the justification for absolute rule To question the king was not only treason but seen as a sin against God

State? In terms of government….what characteristics describe a state?

Sovereignty What is the difference between: Absolute Sovereignty: Popular Sovereignty:

Government Theories…. Define: Evolution Theory Force Theory Divine Right Theory

Social Contract ~ Hobbes Principles of Government Social Contract ~ Hobbes 17th Century & The Age of Enlightenment, People begin to challenge the monarchy and the idea of Divine Right Thomas Hobbes promotes the concept of government by social contract

Hobbes ~ Social Contract Principles of Government Hobbes ~ Social Contract In a “State of Nature” there is no government and man is free. However, absolute freedom has a price… life is “cruel, brutish and short” Why? To escape this cruel reality, men would give up some freedom to the state; in return the government (state) would offer people security through law & order

Locke ~ Social Contract Principles of Government Locke ~ Social Contract John Locke took Hobbes ideas one step further by promoting the “right to revolution” Locke believed that if the government fails to provide people with security or if the state abused its power over the people the people could change the government. Does this happen today?

Hobbes and Locke Handouts

Hobbes and Locke Foldable Picture….look at your handout to help. 10 facts including his view of government. Locke Picture….look at your handout to help. 10 facts including his view of government.

Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

Smartboard Activity

Purpose of Government

Government Write the main events that you participate in during the day. Look at your daily events, and make notes next to each activity stating if/how the government plays a role. Education: Teachers receive federal money for retirement and schools receive federal money.

Purposes of Government Government decisions are binding on all citizens Government has the authority to require all citizens to obey these decisions AND the power to punish those who do not obey

The Purposes of Government Government Authority Comes From: 1 – Legitimacy = the willingness of citizens to obey the government U.S. government is based on the consent of the people 2 – Coercive Force = can force citizens to follow decisions AND punish offenders through the police, court system, or military

Functions of Government 1 – To maintain social order People need government to maintain social order because they cannot live in groups without conflict Some people may try to take advantage of others Governments provide ways of resolving conflict Makes and enforces laws

Functions of Government 2 – To provide public services Provide essential services that make community life possible and promote the general welfare Ex. – Water & Sewer Systems, Public Health & Safety, Education

Functions of Government 3 – To provide for national security and a common defense Protect citizens against attacks by other states or from threats of terrorism Handles relations with foreign nations Ex. Treaties & Trade Agreements

Functions of Government 4 – To provide for and control the economic system Governments pass laws that shape the economic environment of the nation Ex. – Provide National Currency, Distribute Benefits, Control Inflation, Develop Natural Resources

Purpose of Government All 4 functions share a single fundamental purpose: TO SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD & WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY

Create a Mind Map Draw a mind map focusing on the functions of government. Include the functions and words to describe each function. Include a picture for each function. Stick people are acceptable.

Government List the functions and purpose of government.