1. Basic Political Theory and Historical Roots
Unit 1
Basic Political Theory and Historical Roots

2. 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

3. The 4 Characteristics of a State
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government
Vice-President Joe Biden

4. Explanation of Sovereignty

5. 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

6. 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 ( )

7. How Did States Evolve? Social Contract
Free people decided to form states to keep themselves safe
John Locke ( )

8. SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, DAVIS?!

9. The Big Deal is:
If people formed states to serve their own interests, then government exists to serve the people

10. 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*

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Different Forms of Government
Classified based on Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches
Parliamentary – Executive is chosen from the Legislative branch

19. By President George W. Bush
Words of Wisdom
By President George W. Bush

21. Basic Concepts of Democracy
Worth of the Individual
Equality of All Persons
Not necessarily equal conditions, but strive for equal opportunity

22. Basic Concepts of Democracy
Majority Rule, Minority Rights
Necessity of Compromise
Individual Freedom

23. Free Enterprise
Free Enterprise is the economic system associated with most democracies

24. Free Enterprise Four factors of a free enterprise system:
Private ownership
Individual initiative
Profit
Competition

25. 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

26. 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