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Published byἈκελδαμά Κυρία Αποστολίδης Modified over 6 years ago
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What Is the State? A state is a political community in a precise territory. A state has sovereignty meaning that its government makes and enforces its own laws without approval from any other authority. A nation refers to a sizable group of people united by common race, language, custom or religion. Section 1
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What Is the State? (cont.)
Countries in which the territories of both the state and nation coincide are referred to as nation-states. Section 1
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Essential Features of a State
The four essential features of a state include: population—the people territory—established boundaries sovereignty—supreme and absolute authority within its boundaries government—central institution United States Acquisitions Section 1
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Essential Features of a State (cont.)
States where people share a consensus, or agreement, about basic beliefs and values have the most stable governments. Government is the institution through which a state: maintains social order; provides public services; and enforces decisions that are binding on all its residents. Section 1
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Origins of the State Scholars have constructed theories to explain the origins of state. Evolutionary Theory The state evolved from the family. The head of the primitive family served as government authority. Section 1
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Origins of the State (cont.)
Force Theory The state was born of force, or the need to resist an enemy. A state emerged when everyone in an area was brought under the authority of one person or group. Divine Right Theory Certain people are chosen by a god or gods to rule. Section 1
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Origins of the State (cont.)
Divine right describes European monarchs in the 1600s and 1700s who proclaimed their right to rule came from God alone. Social Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes promoted the idea of a social contract in which people surrendered their freedom to the state, but in return they received order and security. Section 1
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Origins of the State (cont.)
John Locke believed that in a state of nature, men and women had certain natural rights including the rights to: life, liberty, and property. Locke’s social contract was made between the people and a government that promised to preserve these natural rights. Section 1
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Purposes of Government
There are four primary purposes of government. Maintaining social order: Governments resolve conflicts to make civilized life possible. Providing public services: Governments provide services that make community life possible. Section 1
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Purposes of Government (cont.)
Providing security and defense: Governments protect the people against attack by other states and other threats. Providing for the economy: Governments pass laws that shape the economic environment. Section 1
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Government Systems There are two primary systems of government:
Unitary system Gives key powers to the central government. Federal system Divides key powers between national and state government. Section 2
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Government Systems (cont.)
The United States began its federal system by forming a confederacy. A confederacy is a loose union of independent states. Section 2
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Constitutions and Government
A government’s constitution is an incomplete guide that provides a statement of goals and a framework for governing that draws its authority from the people. A constitutional government places limits on the powers of those who govern. A preamble is a statement that sets forth the goals and purposes that the government will serve. Section 2
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Constitutions and Government (cont.)
The main body of a constitution sets out the plan for government divided into articles and sections. Most written constitutions describe the procedure for amending, or changing, the constitution. Constitutional law is the field of law that studies questions on how to interpret the Constitution. Section 2
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Politics and Government
Politics refer to the struggle to control government and manage societal conflicts that could influence the lives of individuals. People participate in politics to: influence what benefits and services the government supplies and turn their values and beliefs into public policy. Section 2
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Politics and Government (cont.)
Politics can affect several key matters: Air and water quality Economic conditions Peace and war Citizen’s rights and freedoms Section 2
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Politics and Government (cont.)
The Framers of the Constitution worried that special interest groups–people united by special political interests–would hinder the launch of their new government.
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Governing in a Complex World
Inequalities among countries can be divided into two major groups: Industrialized nations are nations with large industries and advanced technology to provide a comfortable way of life. Developing nations are nations that are only beginning to develop industry. Section 2
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Governing in a Complex World (cont.)
Global interdependence means that nations must interact or depend upon one another, especially economically and politically. There are two factors that contribute to global interdependence: Growing industrialization Rapid technological advances Section 2
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Governing in a Complex World (cont.)
International organizations have many different goals and operate beyond national boundaries. Section 2
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Governing in a Complex World (cont.)
The five types of international organizations are: National liberation organizations Terrorist organizations Multinational corporations Organizations of states of the world Nongovernmental organizations Section 2
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Major Types of Government
According to Aristotle the three major types of governments are: Autocracy: One person has all authority. A monarchy is another form of government in which a king, queen or emperor inherits the throne and heads the state. Comparing Governments Section 3
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Major Types of Government (cont.)
Oligarchy: A small group holds power. Oligarchs derive their power from wealth, social position, military power or a combination of these. Democracy: The people govern either directly or through representatives. Section 3
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Major Types of Government (cont.)
An assembly of people’s representatives may be called a council, a legislature, a congress or a parliament. In a republic voters elect representatives. Only a small percentage of people might be empowered to vote. Section 3
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Characteristics of Democracy
A true democracy is defined by four characteristics: Individual liberty All people are as free as possible to develop their talents. Majority rule with minority rights Elected representatives enact laws that reflect the will of the majority of lawmakers. Section 3
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Characteristics of Democracy (cont.)
The rights of the minority are respected and protected. Free elections Everyone’s vote carries the same weight. All candidates have the right to express their views freely. Citizens are free to help candidates or support issues. Section 3
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Characteristics of Democracy (cont.)
Legal requirements for voting are kept to a minimum. Citizens vote by secret ballot without coercion or fear of punishment. Competing political parties. A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests organized to win elections, conduct government and determine public policy. Section 3
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Characteristics of Democracy (cont.)
Rival parties make elections meaningful by giving voters a choice. Section 3
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Essential Elements for a Democracy
A successful democracy depends on five essential elements: Citizen Participation Citizens must be willing to participate in civic life. Favorable Economy The economy must be prosperous and distribute wealth to many members of society. Section 3
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Essential Elements for a Democracy (cont.)
Free enterprise is the freedom of private business to operate with minimal government regulation. Widespread Education A democracy is more likely to succeed in countries where most people are educated. Section 3
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Essential Elements for a Democracy (cont.)
Strong Civil Society Civil society is made up of a network of voluntary associations—economic, political, charitable, religious, and many others that exist outside of government. Section 3
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Essential Elements for a Democracy (cont.)
Social Consensus A social consensus refers to a country where most people accept democratic values and generally agree about the purpose and limits of government. Section 3
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The Role of Economic Systems
Economics is the study of how limited resources are used to satisfy people’s seemingly unlimited wants. All economic systems answer three questions: What and how much should be produced? How should goods and services be produced? Who gets the goods and services that are produced? Section 4
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The Role of Economic Systems (cont.)
Economic systems of societies with more political freedom generally have less government regulation than societies with less political freedom. Section 4
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Capitalism Capitalism has five characteristics:
Private ownership and control of property and economic resources. Free enterprise Despite significant government regulation, the United States’ economic policies aim to preserve a free market. Section 4
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Capitalism (cont.) Competition
Buyers and sellers compete over resources to produce goods and services at the most reasonable price. Freedom of choice Possibility of profits Section 4
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Capitalism (cont.) Capitalism employs a market system based on competition between buyers and sellers with an emphasis on freedom of choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers and business enterprises. A free market places no limits on the freedom of buyers and sellers to make economic decisions. Section 4
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Capitalism (cont.) The idea of a laissez-faire economy was advanced by Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations. Laissez-faire is French for “to let alone.” Smith said that the actions of buyers and sellers, not the government, should determine what is produced and bought. Mixed economies mix elements of capitalism and socialism. Section 4
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Socialism Socialism is an economic system in which a government:
owns the basic means of production, determines the use of the resources, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as education, health care, and welfare. Section 4
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Socialism (cont.) Democratic Socialists are socialists who are committed to democracy in the political sphere but want better distribution of economic goods. Under this government, citizens have basic democratic rights like free speech and free elections but the government owns key industries and makes economic decisions. Section 4
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Communism Communism is the economic system advanced by German philosopher Karl Marx in The Communist Manifesto. Marx defined three classes that emerged during the Industrial Revolution. The proletariat: the industrial working class, concentrated in factories The bourgeoisie: the middle class and owners of industrial capital such as factories and land Section 4
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Communism (cont.) The capitalists: the ruling class with power over resources Under communism, Marx predicted there would only be one class—the working class. A command economy is one in which the government decides what to produce, how much to produce and how to distribute the goods and services that are produced. Section 4
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