Civics/Government: Foundations of Government

Quick Write – What is Government? Directions: -Please jot down some bullet points on what the word government means to you. Think about..... (Purpose, Symbols, Responsibilities, Like/Dislike, etc.)

- Scary - Scary - Big - Big - Taxes (taking MY $$) ‏ - Taxes (taking MY $$) ‏ - President - President - Interesting - Interesting - Make laws - Make laws - Democrat / Republican - Democrat / Republican - Taxes - Taxes - Increase or decrease taxes - Increase or decrease taxes

So, Who Had the Big Idea to start Government?? - Present Day governments are about 5,000 years old - Present Day governments are about 5,000 years old - In beginning, only wealthy, adult male landowners were allowed to vote & participate in government - In beginning, only wealthy, adult male landowners were allowed to vote & participate in government Where were the earlier forms of government located?

Early Forms of Government -Ancient Egypt (Pharoahe, Queen) ‏ -Greece & Rome (Republics) ‏

-England (King & Queen) ‏

“The” State -Ancient Greeks (Aristotle) began to form “the” state -State: a definitive territory under the same rules & laws -In order to have a state, you need a government

Features of “The” State -Population (people with similar values & beliefs) ‏ -Mobility/movement can change features of state -either defined by a physical (Atlantic Ocean) or political (Canada) boundary

States & Sovereignty What does it mean to be a sovereign state? -Complete control over territory within boundaries (i.e. the United States controls everything within its border) ‏ -Indepence ; Self-Rule -exception: Native American Reservations, which are quasi-independent, and US Territories, like Puerto Rico

So, how exactly did this whole ‘government’ thing start?? There are 4 main theories for how government started. Theory: a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation for a class of phenomena Basically....it’s an idea about how something started.

The 4 Theories Evolutionary Theory -Force Theory -Divine Right Theory -Social Contract Theory

Evolutionary TheoryForce Theory Divine Right TheorySocial Contract Theory

Theory #1 : Evolutionary Theory -The State evolved from the family -Most powerful family (or tribe/clan) took power & ruled

Theory #2 : Force Theory - People worked together as a community with no leader(s) - No organized defence, community's security is threatened - A person or small group rises to power and assumes control

Theory #3 : Divine Right Theory -Rulers and/or ruling families were chosen by God(s) -Explains why they are in power -Used by rulers in Egypt, China, S. America, & Europe

Theory #4 : Social Contract Theory -In nature, there is no government -Without govt. life is “short, nasty, & brutish” -People agree to give up power in order for certain rights & protection -If govt. does not protect or uphold rights, citizens have right to overthrow govt.

So, What’s the point of government? What does government actually do? -Create laws & maintain order -Provide Services -National Security -Provide/control economic systems ($$) ‏

Creating Laws & Maintaining Order -Humans need government because they have not yet found a way to live in groups without conflict -Laws are created to maintain order and for conflict resolution conflict resolution -This is why we have a Supreme Court!!!!

Providing Services -Government provides services that help citizens, that most citizens can not do on their own -Example????

National Security -Provide armed forces for protection (Army, Navy, etc.) ‏ -Protect citizens from foreign invasion AND terrorism -Govt. Cabinet positions that deal with National Security: Dept. Of Defense Dept. Of Homeland Security

Quick Write: What is your responsibility to government? Directions: Government does a lot for its citizens. What, if any, responsibilities do we have as citizens to our government? Directions: Government does a lot for its citizens. What, if any, responsibilities do we have as citizens to our government? What do the words “We The People” say about our roles in government? What do the words “We The People” say about our roles in government?

Types of Government Our government is a democracy, but there are several types of government in the world. Our government is a democracy, but there are several types of government in the world. In this class, we will focus on the 3 most commonly used forms of government: -Autocracy-Oligarchy-Democracy In this class, we will focus on the 3 most commonly used forms of government: -Autocracy-Oligarchy-Democracy

Autocracy Govt. ruled by 1 person Govt. ruled by 1 person Types: Monarchy (King/Queen), Dictator Types: Monarchy (King/Queen), Dictator -Examples: Saudi Arabia, Cuba, North Korea One person sets rules, runs all aspects of life (school, jobs, pay, what you watch)‏ One person sets rules, runs all aspects of life (school, jobs, pay, what you watch)‏

Oligarchy Govt. is controlled by a small group of people Govt. is controlled by a small group of people Types of Oligarchy: - Communism (China), - Theocracy (Iran)‏ Types of Oligarchy: - Communism (China), - Theocracy (Iran)‏ Small groups usually seize power “for the people” but often become corrupt Small groups usually seize power “for the people” but often become corrupt Citizens have limited choice (jobs, house) -China: 1 Child Policy Citizens have limited choice (jobs, house) -China: 1 Child Policy

Example of State Control

Blue – Democracy, President Dark Gray – Democracy, Prime Minister Light Gray – Oligarchy Red – President, non-democracy

Blue – Democracy, President Dark Gray – Democracy, Prime Minister Light Gray – Oligarchy Red – President, non-democracy What is similar about these maps? Do you notice a pattern or relationship between the maps? Please write down your answers in complete sentences. Why do you think these relationships exist??

Democracy Govt. controlled by the community Govt. controlled by the community Equal votes & rights Equal votes & rights Citizens vote to make the laws Citizens vote to make the laws 2 types: Direct & Representative 2 types: Direct & Representative

Direct Democracy Every adult citizen votes on every issue Every adult citizen votes on every issue This is okay for small communities, not for large populations This is okay for small communities, not for large populations Why would this not Why would this not work with a large group? -LHS Example

Representative Democracy Vote & Elect people to make decisions for us Vote & Elect people to make decisions for us Vote on some laws directly, but very few Vote on some laws directly, but very few What did Maine vote on last year?? What did Maine vote on last year??

Ask the Class.... How many people live in the United States? How many people live in the United States? How many people actually run the government? How many people actually run the government? What type of govt. does that sound like? What type of govt. does that sound like?

Levels of Government NATIONAL STATE COUNTY TOWN (MUNICIPAL) ‏ Representative Democracy

Levels of Government Direct Democracy Citizens Citizens

Levels of Government (Fill in the Pyramid!) NATIONAL STATE COUNTY TOWN ‏