Government and the State Chapter 1 Government and the State American Government Magruder’s American Government Chapter 1

Why government? Do you think society needs a government? Why or why not? What are the main differences between a dictatorship and a democratic form of government? Do you remember the three parts of the US government? Chapter 1 Section 1

Government and Politics Government includes the institutions that make and enforce public policies. It is made up of people who have authority and control over people. Politics is the process of resolving disputes. According to Harold Laswell,“ Politics is who gets what, when, and how.”

The State We often use the term state and country to mean the same thing. A state is a body of people living in a defined territory. A state is organized with a government with the power to enforce laws.

Sovereignty Every state is sovereign, meaning it has power within its own territory. A state can decide its own domestic and foreign policies. A democracy, where people make decisions, has popular sovereignty.

Forms of Government Dictatorship Democracy A government ruled by a single all powerful ruler Although similar to an absolute monarch, a dictator does not inherit power A dictator takes power through force or persuasion (e.g. Hitler) Rule by the people Originated in Greece and Rome A republic is a democratic government in which people elect representatives

Theories of Government Monarchy Democracy Divine Right of Kings Monarchs rule with power from God Social Contract Theory State is created to serve the people.. Written Laws are a Constitution. People can vote to change a government

Preamble of US Constitution Outlines Purpose of Government Create a union of states Establish justice with fair laws Insure domestic tranquility, fair laws Provide for common defense Promote general welfare: services Secure blessings of liberty: individual freedoms Chapter 1 American Government

Three Parts of Government US established three branches of government: Legislative branch makes the laws Executive branch carries out the laws Judicial branch interprets the laws.

The US is a Federal System of Government The Founders made the US a federal system of government in which power is shared between the national government and the states. Chapter 1 Section 2

National and State Power State Powers National Power The US Constitution grants the national or federal government to be in charge of: Coining Money Interstate Commerce Raising an Army Declaring War The 10th amendment to the Constitution states that powers not belonging to the federal government are reserved for the states such as: Police Powers The running of schools

Confederate Forms of Government A confederate form of government gives supremacy to the states and not the national authority. Prior to the US Constitution the US had a weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.

Unitary Forms of Government A unitary form of government is one in which the national government has power over the local governments. National policy is carried out by regional and local governments. For example, in Britain and France the central government dictates school policy In the US, most school policy is up to the states and the local school boards.

The US has a Presidential System Britain has a Parliamentary system The British Parliament chooses the Prime Minister.

Basic Concepts of Democracy Worth of the Individual Individual Freedom Equality of all persons Majority Rule Minority Rights Necessity of Compromise Chapter 1 Section 3

Free Enterprise or Capitalism Private ownership of businesses The profit motive Competition in the market place Individual initiative Chapter 1 Section 3

Government and Markets Government regulation of business We don’t have pure capitalism but a mixed economy Government builds roads, schools, and provides services

Democracy and Capitalism Do individual freedom and economic freedom go hand in hand? Must a democratic government have a capitalist economic system? Can dictatorships be capitalist? (e.g China) Can socialist countries be democratic? (e.g Sweden) How much is our political system dependent upon our economic system?