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Basic Political Theory and Historical Roots
Unit 1 Basic Political Theory and Historical Roots
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The Basic Unit The foundational political unit in the world is the state Body of people in a territory with a government that has no higher authority Examples: Mexico, Russia, Canada, the United States are all states
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The 4 Characteristics of a State
Population Territory Sovereignty Government Vice-President Joe Biden
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Explanation of Sovereignty
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How Did States Evolve? Divine Right
15th through 18th centuries, common thinking was that God gave certain people a “divine right” to rule over others
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How Did States Evolve? Social Contract John Locke (1632-1704)
1700’s philosophical response to the idea of Divine Right Theory was developed by John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean Jacque Rousseau John Locke ( )
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How Did States Evolve? Social Contract
Free people decided to form states to keep themselves safe John Locke ( )
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SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, DAVIS?!
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The Big Deal is: If people formed states to serve their own interests, then government exists to serve the people
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Purpose of Government Based on the social contract theory, the purpose of American government is to: Form a More Perfect Union Establish Justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty *In case you’re curious, this is the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution*
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Who Can Participate Democracy - “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” Direct - people make policy themselves Indirect - people vote for others who will make policy (also called republic)
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Who Can Participate Dictatorship – government is not accountable to anyone Autocracy – single person holds unlimited power Oligarchy – a small, self-appointed group rules
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary – one national government, smaller lower units have little or no say in policy Examples : Israel, Great Britain, France
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power Federal – smaller units share power with the central national government Examples : U.S., Mexico, Canada, Australia
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power Confederal – smaller regional governments hold the most power, united by a weak central government Examples : European Union, Confederate States
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Relationship between Legislative (people writing the laws) and Executive (people enforcing the laws) Presidential – voters separately elect Executive and Legislative branch members
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Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches Parliamentary – Executive is chosen from the Legislative branch
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By President George W. Bush
Words of Wisdom By President George W. Bush
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Basic Concepts of Democracy
Worth of the Individual Equality of All Persons Not necessarily equal conditions, but strive for equal opportunity
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Basic Concepts of Democracy
Majority Rule, Minority Rights Necessity of Compromise Individual Freedom
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Free Enterprise Free Enterprise is the economic system associated with most democracies
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Free Enterprise Four factors of a free enterprise system:
Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition
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How it Works The Law of Supply and Demand
When supply is high or demand is low, prices are low When supply is low or demand is high, prices are high
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Where does Government Fit in?
Government always plays a role in regulating an economy Governments can fully control an economy, or let it be free The U.S. uses a mixed economy, to protect the public and preserve private ownership
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