Government intro

Section 1: Government and the State The basic unit of government is the state. John Locke's theory of the origin of the state had a profound impact on the United States' government.

Relevant questions What is Government? An institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies What public policies? All the things a government decides to do : examples- taxes, defense, education, crime, healthcare, transportation, environment, civil rights, working conditions

Is government necessary?

Basic Powers Legislative: make laws and frame public policies Executive: execute, enforce and administer laws Judicial: interpret laws settle disputes that arise

Constitution Body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structure and process of a government

Politics vs government Politics is the process Government is the institution

History of government Government arose as a result of people realizing they needed some way to regulate their actions and their neighbors Ancient Egypt 600 BC Aristotle writes of the political animal

The State A body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of any higher authority

Characteristics of a state 1. Population 2. Territory 3. Sovereignty 4. Government

4 theories of Origins of the state Force theory- one person or group claims control and forces all to submit Evolutionary theory- natural development as in the family with the head of the household

Divine right theory- God had created the state and had given “Divine Right” to those who would lead- royalty by birth Social contract theory-state arose out of voluntary action by the people to give power to the state to serve the will of the people, people are the sole source of power and can give or take that power

Purpose of Government Preamble We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

What does it mean? Form a more perfect union Establish Justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty