CHAPTER ONE WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?

PUBLIC POLICIES All of the things a government decides to do or not do. For example…..

Taxation

Defense

Education

Criminal Justice Don’t taze me, bro!

Healthcare

Civil Rights

Transportation

The source of our government All of our government’s powers are outlined in the Constitution.

Dictatorship v. democracy Who holds the power? How are leaders chosen? To whom are leaders responsible/accountable?

What is the dominant political unit in the world? The state

Dictatorships v. democracy Who holds the power? Who makes decisions? How are leaders chosen? To whom is leadership accountable?

The State of the State

The state is A body of people, living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce laws and an organization to do this. Define the state by knowing its four characteristics:

Population ( a body of people)

Population Definition: people who are members or citizens of a state Size of population doesn’t matter Population has a big influence on the type of government chosen by the state

Territory (a defined space)

Territory Definition: the area in which a state’s rule applies Must have set boundaries, but they are not always agreed upon Boundaries can change by war negotiation purchase

Sovereignty (power to make and enforce laws)

Sovereignty Definition: the ability to rule absolutely within a given territory Because of sovereignty states can set foreign policy and agenda Sovereignty makes all states equal in theory, but in reality this isn’t always the case

Government (organization that makes and enforces laws )

Government Government has many roles that all involve making public policy, but that are four main ways their governing affects the public: Keeping order Protecting the country Providing services Making economic decisions

By this definition of THE STATE, which of the following is “ a state?” New York City? The United States? Texas? China?

True or False? If there are less than 30,000 people, it can’t be considered a state.

True or False? The boundaries of a territory can change.

True or False? Sovereignty means that you have to check with a superior for permission.

True or False The 50 States that make up the United States are not considered independent states internationally.

FOUR THEORIES OF THE CREATION OF THE STATE

Force Theory One person or group forced others to submit to its rule.

Evolutionary Theory The state evolved from an original family Family>clan>tribe> state

Divine Right Theory People believe that God created the state and gave its leaders the right to rule; dominant in Western world through the mid-18th c.

Social Contract Theory People give up to the state as much power as needed to promote the safety and well-being for all. Philosophers : John Locke, James Harrington, Jean Jacques Rousseau,Hobbes

PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT Listed in the Preamble to the Constitution Constitution – the law of the land; the basis for our gov’t

Form a More Perfect Union

Establish Justice

Insure Domestic Tranquility

Provide for the Common Defense

Promote the General Welfare

Secure the Blessings of Liberty

CLASSIC FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

Feudalism (kings and lords)

Greek city-states and Roman republic Classical Republic : small group of elected leaders make decisions for the electorate Greek city-states and Roman republic

Absolute Monarchy – King or Queen has total control

Authoritarianism – individual or group has unlimited authority.

Despotism – absolute power of tyrant

Liberal Democracy – rights and freedoms of individuals protected

Totalitarianism – government controls all parts of people’s lives.

Geographic Distribution of Power FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Who Can Participate Geographic Distribution of Power Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches

Geographic Distribution of Power FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Democracy Who Can Participate Dictatorship Geographic Distribution of Power Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Democracy Who Can Participate Dictatorship Unitary Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Federal Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Democracy Who Can Participate Dictatorship Unitary Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Federal Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Parliamentary

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Direct Democracy – purest form, all people vote Democracy Indirect Democracy – representatives are chosen to vote. Who Can Participate Dictatorship Unitary Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Federal Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Parliamentary

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Direct Democracy – purest form, all people vote Democracy Indirect Democracy – representatives are chosen to vote. Who Can Participate Autocracy – single person Oligarchy – small group (elite) Dictatorship All are authoritarian Modern dictatorships are totalitarian Unitary Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Federal Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Parliamentary

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Direct Democracy – purest form, all people vote Democracy Indirect Democracy – representatives are chosen to vote. Who Can Participate Autocracy – single person Oligarchy – small group (elite) Dictatorship All are authoritarian Modern dictatorships are totalitarian Unitary One central government agency Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Alliance of independent states. Power divided between central and local agencies Federal Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Parliamentary

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate FORMS OF GOVERNMENT Direct Democracy – purest form, all people vote Democracy Indirect Democracy – representatives are chosen to vote. Who Can Participate Autocracy – single person Oligarchy – small group (elite) Dictatorship All are authoritarian Modern dictatorships are totalitarian Unitary One central government agency Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Alliance of independent states. Power divided between central and local agencies Federal Two branches are separate and coequal. Chief Executive is President chosen independently for a fixed term. Relationship between the Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential Executive branch made up of Prime Minister and cabinet who are members of legislative branch, the Parliament, as long still in favor. Parliamentary

BASIC CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY

DEMOCRACY A form of government in which supreme authority rests with the people.

American Concept of Democracy rests on: The worth of the individual All have it regardless of station Equality of all persons “All men are created equal..” –Thomas Jefferson Opportunity and before the law

Majority rule with minority rights Room for error Majority can’t be left unchecked Must hear criticism, arguments and suggestions Necessity of compromise Blending and adjusting competing views Essential to make policy “More than one way to skin a cat” – Mark Twain

Individual freedom Do as you please with limits “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” – John F. Kennedy

Democracy and Free Enterprise

Free Enterprise = Capitalism The American economic system. Does not rely on the government to answer what, how, how many or for whom regarding items being produced.

Based on Four Main Factors Private ownership Individual initiative Profit competition

Works through system of Supply and Demand When supplies of goods and services increase, prices drop and less is produced When supplies are scarce, prices will rise and more will be made

Mixed Economy Free enterprise with some government intervention Regulations Protecting the public FDA Anti-pollution laws OSHA Zoning ordinances Building codes

Promotion Preserving private enterprise Building roads Grants Weather reports