Principles of Government

Is Government Necessary?

What is a State? A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority. There are more than 160 states in the world.

What is a State? State / Province vs. State / Nation / Country

What are the Essential Features of a State? Population Territory Sovereignty

What is a Nation? Has population Might not have territory or sovereignty

City States Ancient Athens Sparta Modern Singapore Monaco Vatican City

Other Terms You Need to Know Industrialized Nation Large industries Advanced technology Comfortable life for citizens Relatively high per capita income U.S., France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Canada

Developing Nation Beginning to develop major industry Trying to acquire technology Population is relatively poor Low per capita income Cuba, Angola, Paraguay, Nigeria, Vietnam Other Terms You Need to Know

Many nations are somewhere between “industrialized” and “developing.” Mexico, India, China, most of South America, Romania, Bulgaria, Other Terms You Need to Know

“Third World” Nation Little industry Little technology Very poor population Low per capita income Often in political turmoil Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Honduras, much of sub-Saharan Africa Other Terms You Need to Know

Theories of Origin of the State Evolutionary Theory The state developed out of the family unit.

Force Theory The state developed out of the need for a leader for battle, for building defenses, digging a well, etc. Theories of Origin of the State

Divine Right Theory God chose someone by having them born into the right family and it is wrong to oppose God’s choice. Theories of Origin of the State

Social Contract Theory People have basic rights. They can agree to give certain authority to a leader or government. Theories of Origin of the State

Purposes of Government Maintain social order To avoid conflict with the group Establish society norms Marriage, crime, punishment, etc. Provide public services Provide national security Make economic decisions What to subsidize What to build How to maintain economic health

Basic Forms of Government Great Britain Italy France

Basic Forms of Government Central Government State Government Citizens Holds primary authority Regulates activities of states Little or no powers Duties regulated by central government Vote for central government officials

Independent states agree to work together Russia Basic Forms of Government

Central government State government Citizens Limited powers to coordinate state activities Sovereign Allocate some duties to central government Vote for state government officials

U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, India, Australia Basic Forms of Government

Central Government State Government Citizens Shares power with states Shares power with central government Vote for both state and central government officials