Unit 1 Part I: The Government and the People

Civics The Study of the Rights and Duties of citizens of a community The Study of the Rights and Duties of citizens of a community

Government The Ruling authority for a community The Ruling authority for a community

Why do communities need government? To make it possible for people to live together peacefully To make it possible for people to live together peacefully

Thomas Hobbes Scottish political philosopher ( ) Scottish political philosopher ( )

Life without government would be “nasty, brutish, and short.”

What do governments do?

Provide Laws

Provide Security

Provide Services

Manage the Economy Prepare the Budget for the Country Prepare the Budget for the CountryBudget

Guide the Community Help shape public policy – the course of action to achieve community goals

Types of Government Types of Government

Democratic Government Rule by the people (majority rule) Rule by the people (majority rule)

Authoritarian Government Government power is held by individual or group not accountable to the people Government power is held by individual or group not accountable to the people

Direct Democracy All citizens vote to determine all issues All citizens vote to determine all issues

Representative Democracy/Republic People elect others to represent them in the decisions of a government with power limited by law People elect others to represent them in the decisions of a government with power limited by law

Constitutional Monarchy/Democracy A government with a hereditary ruler whose power is limited by law (a Constitution) A government with a hereditary ruler whose power is limited by law (a Constitution)

Absolute Monarchy Hereditary ruler had unlimited authority Hereditary ruler had unlimited authority

Dictatorships/Totalitarianism/Autocracy The government has almost total control over the people’s lives. The government has almost total control over the people’s lives. Power usually taken by force Power usually taken by force

Aristocracy Rule by a upper class (Aristocrats) Rule by a upper class (Aristocrats)

Theocracy Rule by religion Rule by religion

Oligarchy Rule by a few Rule by a few

Anarchy Belief that best government is no government Belief that best government is no government

Principles of American Democracy

Rule of Law All people are bound by the law All people are bound by the law

Limited Government The government can only do the things that the people have given it power to do. The government can only do the things that the people have given it power to do.

Consent of the Governed American citizens are the source of all government power American citizens are the source of all government power Popular Sovereignty – “The People Rule”Popular Sovereignty – “The People Rule”

Individual Rights Individual rights, even of those not popular with the majority, are protected by the government. Individual rights, even of those not popular with the majority, are protected by the government.

Representative Government People elect leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf. People elect leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf.

Levels of Government National Government National Government The government of the entire countryThe government of the entire country

State Government Decides matters for people in the state Decides matters for people in the state

Local Government Counties, cities and towns Counties, cities and towns Closest gov. to the people Closest gov. to the people