Government Basics Mini-Unit

What is government? Government – the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies Public policies – in general, what the government decides to do For example – taxes, education, defense

Types of Government Power Legislative power Power to make law and frame public policy Executive power Power to execute, enforce, and administer the law Judicial power Power to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within society

Purpose of Government “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.” -Preamble of the Constitution-

6 Purposes of Government Form a more perfect union Link the nation and the American people more closely together Establish justice The law, in both is content and its administration, must be reasonable, fair, and impartial Insure domestic tranquility Keep peace on the home front

6 Purposes of Government Provide for the common defense Defending the nation against foreign enemies Promote the general welfare Act as the servant of the people Secure the blessings of liberty Dedication to freedom – but must recognize that liberty is not absolute

Who can participate in government? Democracy – authority rests with the people, government acts with their consent Direct democracy – will of the people translated into public policy directly by the people in mass meetings Representative democracy – a small group of people chosen by the people to act as their representatives express the popular will “Government with the consent of the governed”

Purpose of Government “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.” -Preamble of the Constitution-

The Constitution The Supreme Law of the Land “This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties are made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.” -Article VI, Section 2- Schoolhouse Rock: “Preamble”Preamble

The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution 1. Popular Sovereignty Government can only rule with the consent of the governed Where does this principle come from? Declaration of Independence consent of the governed “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

2. Limited Government Government is effective, but restricted No government is all-powerful Again, the power lies in the people – it can only do what they given it the power to do Constitutionalism Government must obey the law as outlined by the Constitution Rule of Law Government and its officers are always subject to the law The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

3. Separation of Powers Government power is distributed among the 3 branches of government Clearly set forth in first 3 articles of the Constitution Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article II – Judicial Branch The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

4. Checks and Balances Each branch is subject to restraints from the other branches 5. Judicial Review Power to determine if the actions of the government are within the Constitution Established by the landmark Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison 6. Federalism Division of power between a strong central government and regional (state) governments The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

Checks & Balances

Federalism – system of government in which the written constitution divides the powers of government between national and state governments Neither level can change division of powers the constitution debated Each branch operates through own agencies, officials, and laws Certain powers for states, others for national government Federalism

Framers of the Constitution How to create a new central government that would be strong enough to meet nation’s needs AND protect the strength of the States Dedicated to limited government Government power poses threat to individual liberties Exercise of government power must be restrained Dividing government power prevents abuse Why federalism?

3 Branches of Government Schoolhouse Rock: “Three Ring Government”Three Ring Government