Essential Question How did early ideas impact the development of U.S. government?
The Principles of Government
Aristotle “If liberty and equality, as is thought by some are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in the government to the utmost.”
Aristotle Studied the polis or Greek city-state
Definition of a State A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority.
Definition of Nation Any sizable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes, religion. What is a nation-state?
Features of a State
Population A state has a distinct population A population with shared beliefs has a stable government
Territory A state has established boundaries
Sovereignty The state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries
Government Institution through which a state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions
Beginnings of Government? Force Theory – government emerged when people came under the power of a person or group by force
Divine Right Theory God chose certain people to rule by divine right Examples?
Social Contract Proposed by Thomas Hobbes People surrendered to the state to maintain order The state agreed to protect its citizens
John Locke People are endowed with natural rights Life, liberty, and property If gov’t fails to protect these rights, what happens?
Purposes of Government? Government decisions are authoritative in exchange for carrying out the following tasks
Maintain Social Order Control and contain conflict between people Provide law and order
Provide Public Services Make community life possible and promote the general welfare
Provide National Security Protect people against attacks from other states
Making Economic Decisions Pass laws that shape the economic environment of a nation