1. Politics and Government August 25, 2015

2. Bell Ringer: Essential Question for the Unit  Write the following question and answer it: Does Society Need Government?  What do you already know about society and government?

3. What are Politics?  “Politics, n: Poly "many" + tics "blood-sucking parasites"”  A: the art or science of government  B: The process of resolving conflicts {found at the federal, state, and local levels}

4. What is Government?  Government: formal institutions though which decisions about the allocation of resources are made and conflicts are resolved.  To Govern is to rule  Can governments force you to comply with the law?  What are some examples?

5. Do we need government?  Discuss the following question with the person sitting next to you:  Which is better: the existence of government or the absence of government?

6. Age of Enlightenment-17 th and 18 th Centuries in Europe  People are born free and equal, and imbued with natural rights  People are in control of their own destiny  What are some ways society can impact a government?  Focus: use reason rather than tradition to solve societal problems

7. Influential Philosophers  Thomas Hobbes  John Locke  Jean-Jacques Rousseau  Baron de Montesquieu

8. Thomas Hobbes  English materialist and political philosopher  Advocated absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that co uld resolve problems caused by the selfishness of human beings  Social Contract Theory  Wrote the Leviathan

9. John Locke  English philosopher  Also championed “social contract theory”  Believed in Natural Rights: people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.  Two Treatises of Government

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau  French philosopher and writer  Believed that the natural goodness of man was war ped by society  Influenced the French Rev olution (1712-1778

11. Baron de Montesquieu  French political philosopher  Believed in separation of power  Said only good government was one that conformed to the people. This is shown in "social contract" between people.

12. Social Contract Theory  An actual or hypothetical agreement among the members of an organized society or between a community and its ruler that defines and limits the rights and duties of each  The agreement by which people define and limit their individual rights, thus creating an organized society or government  Championed by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau

13. Exit Slip: Why do you think the Founders Choose Democracy?  Engagement Activity: Complete the –isms worksheet in groups of four