1. Government Chapter 1
People and Government

2. Do Now:
“Some people equate politics with bribery or corruption…The misuse of politics, however, should not obscure the value of a political system” (Textbook, pg. 15)
To what extent do you agree with this quote? Does the good of our political system outweigh the bad? Or are these issues just a sign that it is time for us to find a new system?

3. Section 1: Principles of Government
State- From Aristotle and his study of the Polis
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government
Nation- Common race, language, customs, traditions.
Nation-state- boundaries coincide, such as France.

4. Theories of the origin of the State
Evolutionary Theory- evolve from the family
Force Theory- Government formed when the people came under the rule of one or a group.
Divine Right Theory- Gods chose certain people to lead.
Social Contract Theory- Thomas Hobbes, people surrendered the power to maintain order and be protected.

5. The Purposes of Government
Governments get authority from;
Legitimacy- willingness to obey.
Coercive force- police, courts, and military.
Maintaining Social Order
Provide Public Services
Providing National Security
Making Economic Decisions

6. Section 2: The Formation of Government
Government Systems
Unitary System- All power to central government
Federal System- Shared power
Confederacy
Constitutions and Government
Written versus unwritten
U.S. oldest written
Great Britain unwritten

7. Constitutions Incomplete Guides- constantly adapting
Statement of goals
Preamble
Framework for government
Sets up the Government
The Highest Law
Constitutional Law

8. Politics and Government
Seeking Government Benefits- which groups win out
Importance of Politics- the give and take needed to manage conflicts in society.
Special Interests- looking out for specific ideals.
James Madison and the Framers were weary of factions (special interest groups)

9. Governing in a Complex World
Major Inequalities Among States
Industrialized
Developing nations
Growing Interdependence
Global economy and trade agreements (NAFTA)
Non-state International Groups
Al Qaeda
World Trade Organization
Multinational Corporations

10. Section 3: Types of Governments
Autocracy- One person in control
Total Dictatorship- Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin
Monarchy
Absolute , western Europe
Constitutional- more common today, Great Britain
Oligarchy- Rule by a few, communist countries
Democracy/Republic- voters are the source of power.
Direct Democracy
Representative democracy

11. Characteristics of Democracy
Individual Liberty
With limitations
Equal opportunity
Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Certain rights guaranteed
Free Elections
One person, one vote, restrictions minimal
Competing Political Parties

12. The Soil of Democracy Active Participation A Favorable Economy
Free Enterprise
Widespread Education
Strong Civil Society
Network of voluntary associations(Red Cross)
A Social Consensus- General agreement on purpose and limits of Government

13. Section 4: Economic Theories
The Role of Economic Systems
What and how much to produce
How do we produce
Who gets the goods and services produced
Capitalism- Origins with Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations
Free market
Laissez-faire

14. Economic Theories Capitalism continued
Private property, competition, and profit are key
No pure capitalist system
Government influence
Grew during the depression
Mixed-market Economy

15. Economic Theories Bourgeoisie Proletariat Based on class struggle
Socialism
Equal distribution of wealth, Public ownership of production
Democratic Socialism- People elect officials, government controls production
Communism- Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital
Bourgeoisie
Proletariat
Based on class struggle
Leads to Command Economy