Chapter 1 Principles of Government

Dennis: We're an anarcho- syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as sort- of-executive officer for the week-- Arthur: Yes. Dennis: But all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special biweekly meeting-- Arthur: Yes, I see. Dennis: By a simple majority, in the case of purely internal affairs-- Arthur: [getting bored] Be quiet. Dennis: But by a two thirds majority, in the case of more major-- Arthur: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet! Dennis' Mother: Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Dennis: What I object to is you automatically treatin' me like an inferior. Arthur: Well, I am king. Dennis: Oh, king, eh? Very nice. And how'd you get that, then? By exploiting the workers! By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society! If there's ever going to be any progress--

Monty Python’s Take on Gov’t Arthur: I am your king! Dennis' Mother: Well I didn't vote for you. Arthur: You don't vote for kings! Dennis' Mother: How'd you become king, then? Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, [Angel chorus begins singing in background] her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. [Angel chorus ends] That is why I am your king! Dennis: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

What is Government? Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Policy and Power Each society has public policy--- what exactly the government does. Each society has public policy--- what exactly the government does. Three basic kinds of power Three basic kinds of power LegislativeLegislative ExecutiveExecutive JudicialJudicial

“Man is by nature a political animal.” “Man is by nature a political animal.” AristotleAristotle “The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” “The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” PlatoPlato

The State

Origins of State The Force Theory one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule. one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule. The Evolutionary Theory the state evolved naturally out of the early family. the state evolved naturally out of the early family. The Divine Right Theory God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule. God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule. The Social Contract Theory the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people. the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people.

Purpose of Government The main purposes of government are described in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States.

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

Section 2

Ways to Classify Government (1) Who can participate in the governing process. (2) The geographic distribution of the governmental power within the state. (3) The relationship between the legislative (lawmaking) and the executive (law- executing) branches of the government.

Classifications Participation Democracy Direct Indirect Dictatorships Autocracy Oligarchy Geographic UnitaryFederalConfederate Legislative Relationships ParliamentaryPresidential

Participation Democracy Supreme political authority rests with the people. Supreme political authority rests with the people. Dictatorship Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people. Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.

Democracies A direct democracy exists where the will of the people is translated into law directly by the people themselves. A direct democracy exists where the will of the people is translated into law directly by the people themselves. In an indirect democracy, a small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representatives, expresses the popular will. In an indirect democracy, a small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representatives, expresses the popular will.

Dictatorships An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. An oligarchy is a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite. An oligarchy is a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.

Unitary Government All powers held by a single, central agency. All powers held by a single, central agency. Confederate Government An alliance of independent states. An alliance of independent states. Federal Government The powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. The powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. Geographic Distribution of Power

Relationship between branches Presidential-separation is independent and coequal Presidential-separation is independent and coequal Parliamentary-executive is made up of prime minister or premier and cabinet which are members of legislature Parliamentary-executive is made up of prime minister or premier and cabinet which are members of legislature

Section 3

(1) A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person (2) A respect for the equality of all persons (3) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights (4) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise (5) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom. American Democracy

Democracy and Free Enterprise The free enterprise system is an economic system. The free enterprise system is an economic system. Investments determined by private decision rather than by state control Investments determined by private decision rather than by state control Determined in a free market Determined in a free market

Characteristics Decisions determined by the law of supply and demand. Decisions determined by the law of supply and demand. America is a mixed economy. America is a mixed economy. Our government regulates and promotes businesses. Our government regulates and promotes businesses. Ex) Farm subsidiesEx) Farm subsidies Ex) Import and Export regulationsEx) Import and Export regulations

Democracy and Internet Democracy demands that the people be widely informed about their government. Democracy demands that the people be widely informed about their government. The Internet allows more opportunities for involvement. The Internet allows more opportunities for involvement. Ex) MySpace and FacebookEx) MySpace and Facebook

Remember, not all you find online is accurate. Remember, not all you find online is accurate. i.e. DON’T USE WIKIPEDIAi.e. DON’T USE WIKIPEDIA