American Government Principles of Government

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary.” James Madison

Government The institution by which a society makes and enforces its public policies Public Policies – all of those things a government decides to do.

Three Basic Kinds of Power Legislative – power to make law Executive - power to execute, enforce and administer law. Judicial – power to interpret law and settle disputes.

Preamble to the Constitution The introduction – explains the purpose for government Form a more perfect Union Establish Justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the Common defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty

State A defined body of people, living in a defined territory, organized by a government Population – the people (smallest is Vatican City – 900, biggest is China 1.3 billion)

Territory (Russia is the largest 6.6 million square miles, compare to the U.S. with 3.7 million square miles) Sovereignty - not subordinate or responsible to any other authority. i.e. the U.S. government is free to make decisions about the U.S.

Government – English Philosopher Thomas Hobbes said, “government is necessary to avoid the war of every man against every man”.

Origins of Government A question for you: what do you suppose was the earliest form of government?

Evolutionary Theory Government grew out of family structure and need for organization Development of clans and tribes.

Force Theory 1 person or group took over and claimed control of an area and forced everyone to submit to their rule.

Divine Right Theory God gave the right to certain people to rule Ie. The Royal Family

Social Contract A voluntary agreement of free people. Exists between people and their government. Government’s role is to serve the people. Written by Jacque Rousseau- The Social Contract Jefferson used this theory in the Declaration of Independence – arguing that King George III had violated the contract.

Types of Governments Presidential Government The executive and legislative branches are separate, independent of one another and COEQUAL. Parliamentary Gov’t The executive is made up of a prime minister or premier and the official’s cabinet.

Federal gov’t Powers of government are separated by a central government and several local governments Aka Federalism Confederation An alliance of independent states No strong central government exists

Dictatorship A person or group in power doesn’t answer to the will of the people In other words, the leader does whatever he/she wants

Dictatorships – 2 types Autocracy – a government where a single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy – government where the power is held by a small, self- appointed group

Democracy Power is held by the people Government exists by consent of the governed. “government of the people, by the people and for the people” – Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Democracy – 2 types Direct –people make all decisions in a mass meeting Representative – people select people to represent them in government; the voice of the people is heard when they participate in elections

Influences on American Democracy John Locke – wrote Two Treatises – describing the responsibility of government to meet the needs of its citizens

Components of American Democracy Worth of the individual Equality of all persons Majority rule vs. Minority rights Compromise Individual freedom (absolute freedom can only exist in a state of anarchy)

Constituent The term used to describe a person that an elected official represents Also called the electorate and a voter Ie. I am a constituent of Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill.

Citizen A person that is a member of a state or nation either by birth of by swearing allegiance