Chapter 1.1: Government and the State
Definitions 1. Judicial power- the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society. 2. Executive Power- the power to execute, enforce, and administer laws. 3. Legislative Power- the power to make laws and to frame public policies.
4. Sovereign State- a state that has supreme and absolute power within its own territory and can decide its own foreign and domestic policies. Question: Is Michigan a sovereign state?
***What is one way in which Congress may use its legislative powers? - It may override a President’s veto
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Using the quote above, answer the following two questions in your notes: What is the purpose of the United States Government? Which of the services above are most important to ordinary citizens?
Origins of the State Divine Right Theory- God created the state, making it sovereign. The government is made up of those chosen by God to rule a certain territory. The people(population) must obey their ruler Evolutionary Theory- A population formed out of primitive families. In other words, the heads of these families became the government. Discussion: Who was typically seen as the “heads” of these families. Does this same principal apply to American society today? Why or why not?
What is a dictatorship? - All the power is in the hands of one person. Question: Identify some dictators in the world today.
SECTION 2: FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
1. Autocracy- a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. 2. Oligarchy- government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.
3. Confederation- an alliance of independent state. 4. Presidential Government- a separation of powers between the executive and the legislative branches of the government.
Parliamentary Government: Executive branch is made up of the prime minister or premier; and that official’s cabinet. Both the prime minister and cabinet BELONG to parliament. (verify this on test) Executive and legislative branches have more conflicts whereas in the United States, there a fewer conflicts between the two branches.
Indirect Democracy Also called representative democracy A group of persons chosen by the people express the will of the people. The United States is a federal, presidential, and an indirect democracy. The United States federal system means that the national government and states share power. Question: Can a state try to overthrow the federal government? Has this ever happened before? National State Gov’t power United States- democracy federalpresidentialindirect
American concept of democracy Respect for the equality of all persons Minority interests must always be subordinated to majority interests. The individual is of paramount importance. Duties of American citizens include: - voting - serving on a jury - paying taxes
SECTION 3.3 BASIC CONCEPTS FOR DEMOCRACY
Words to know Citizen- one who holds both rights and responsibilities in a state. Compromise- the process of blending and adjusting competing views and interest. Free enterprise system- an economic system characterized by the private ownership of capital goods. Majority rule- a concept that the largest group will be right more often than it is wrong.
Free Enterprise System Based on four fundamental factors: private ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition. Often called capitalism. Does not rely on the government to set prices and wages When demand for a product increases, the prices of the product will increase. Consumers and sellers determine what to produce and how much to produce.
Compromise and Democracy Compromises are used to settle differences in a democracy Ensures that minority arguments are considered.