1. Theories and Origins of Government
Objective: SWBAT identify the theories and origins of government

2. What is Government?
The system that sets up and enforces a society’s laws and institutions. Some governments are controlled by a few people, some are controlled by many.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

3. Four Main Functions of Government
Maintain SOCIAL ORDER
Provide PUBLIC SERVICES
Provide for NATIONAL SECURITY and a COMMON DEFENSE
Provide the basis for an ECONOMIC SYSTEM (i.e., capitalism, socialism, communism)
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

4. I. Theories of Government
Evolution Theory
A population formed out of primitive families. The heads of these families became the government. When these families settled in one territory and claimed it as their own, they became a sovereign state.
Force Theory
An individual or group claimed control over a territory and forced the population to submit. In this way, the state became sovereign, and those in control formed a government.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

5. Theories of Government
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 population must obey their ruler.
Social Contract Theory
A population in a given territory gave up as much power to a government as needed to promote the well-being of all. In doing so, they created a sovereign state.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

6. Theories of Government
Problems With Evolution Theory
Considers citizens as children; paternalistic approach.
Dissent is disobedience to the “fatherland.”
Problems With Force Theory
Rewards the biggest gun, most brutal, most aggressive people at the expense of the weak.
Dissent is crushed.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

7. Theories of Government
Problems With Divine Right Theory
Requires citizens to be submissive.
Dissent is considered a sin against God.
Creates a class society.
Problems With Social Contract Theory
Who controls the terms of the contract?
Who controls the government?
Who exactly are, “The People”?
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

8. So, what kind of government do we have in the U.S. today?
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

9. English Origins of American Government
The Magna Carta (1215)
King John is forced to sign by barons
Included guarantees of such fundamental rights as trial by jury and due process of law
Protection against absolute power
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

10. English Origins of American Government
The Petition of Right (1628)
King Charles I signed, by force of the Parliament
Limited king’s power
May not impose martial law
Can not force quartering
Punish only by laws of the land
Questioned Divine Right
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

11. English Government – Parliament Arrives
Parliament was a council of nobility created to advise the monarch.
History of hostility between parliament and monarch.
Parliament = House of Lords + House of Commons
House of Lords- nobility
House of Commons - wealthy and people of standing in community- knights, merchants, craftsmen.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

12. English Origins of American Government
The English Bill of Rights (1689)
Signed by William and Mary of Orange during the Glorious Revolution
Prohibited a standing army in peace time
Required free parliamentary elections
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

13. John Locke,
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

14. John Locke’s Natural Rights Philosophy
Took Thomas Hobbes’ Social Contract Theory a step further:
People have Natural Rights from birth, by nature of being human.
Life, Liberty and Property are key rights.
To preserve their rights, people contract to give power to government.
When government fails to preserve these rights people have a duty to break the contract-consent of the governed.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

15. John Locke’s Natural Rights Philosophy
By contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain the social order and the government agrees to protect its citizens.
People need government to maintain social order because they haven’t found a way to live in groups without conflict.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

16. Other Influences on Formation of U.S. Government
Baron de Montesquieu-French philosopher 1748:
Best form of government-one elected by the people.
Power should be balanced among three groups-the separation of powers principle.
Foundation for development of 3 branches of government.
There is no liberty of law making and law enforcing powers are united in the same person.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

17. Montesquieu (Cont.)
He believed all people were not equal. Approved of slavery. Believed women were weaker than men and must obey their husband. Yet, he believed women could govern, i.e., be a Queen.
Objective: Students will be able to identify the theories and origins of government

18. Judeo-Christian Tradition
We see moral and ethical ideal from Judeo-Christian traditions in the formation of American government
What does this mean?