1. Government and State

2. What is Government?
Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.
Public Policies are all those things a government decides to do.

3. Public Policies
Taxation
Defense
Education
Health care
Transportation

4. What kind of Power does Government have?
Legislative power-the power to make law and frame public policy
Executive power-the power to execute, enforce, and administer law
Judicial power- the power to interpret laws

5. Politics vs. Government
“Man is by nature a political animal”
Aristotle
Government is an institution.
Politics is the process.

6. State-is a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically.
The state has emerged as the dominant political unit in the world.

7. 4 Characteristics of the State
1) Population is the make up of the people
San Marino, Italy 27,000
People’s Republic of China 1.3 billion

8. 4 Characteristics cont…
2) Territory- land with recognized boundaries

9. 4 Characteristics cont…
Sovereignty- every state has supreme and absolute power within its own territory
Foreign polices
Domestic policies

10. 4 Characteristics cont…
Government is the agency through which the state exerts its will and works to accomplish its goals

11. “the war of every man against every man”
“continual fear and danger of violent death and life would be solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”

12. Major Political Ideas
The Force Theory-one person or group claimed control over an area and forces the inhabitants to submit to his or her rule.
The Evolutionary Theory-state developed naturally… one family, two families, related families, a clan then a tribe

13. Major Political Ideas cont…-
The Divine Right Theory- God created the state and those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule.
The Social Contract Theory- The people and the state have a written and unwritten contract (i.e. constitution)

14. The Purpose of Government
Many of the answers on government can ultimately be found in the US Constitution and other government documents
Form a More Perfect Union
Articles of Confederation too weak
The belief that in union there is strength

15. Establish Justice What is Justice?
The law, in both its content and it’s administration must resonable, fair and impartial.

16. Insure Domestic Tranquility
Prime function of government
Without government, law, and order
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary”
James Madison

17. Provide for the Common Defense
Defend the nation against foreign enemies
Maintain the security of our country
Promote the General Welfare
Public education
Bailout’s
Secure the Blessing of Liberty