1. to
Government
Welcome

2. Features of
Government

3. The State
Def: a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority

4. Nation
Def: any sizable group of people united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, religion, etc.
State = Nation

5. What makes
a state
a state?

6. Population: You must have people living there
States with a social and political consensus have the most stable governments
When people move, political power shifts

7. Territory: established boundaries
Often a source of conflict between states
May change
War
Negotiations
Purchase

8. Sovereignty: complete independence
Make laws
Establish foreign policy
Supreme authority within its territorial boundaries
Government: institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services and enforces decisions that are binding

9. How Did
Government
Come About?

10. Theories! Evolutionary Theory: government grew from the family
As families grew larger and larger they needed more organization

11. Force Theory: governments formed when all the people of one area were brought under the authority of one person or one group
3. Divine Right Theory: God created the state and chooses who rules

12. 4. Social Contract Theory: People willingly surrender certain rights in order to maintain social order. In return, the government promises to protect them
1600’s
Basis of modern US government

13. Thomas Hobbes
People did not have the right to break their agreement with the government

14. John Locke People have the right to life, liberty, & property
If the government doesn’t preserve these rights, the people can break the agreement

15. Government Authority Decisions can be enforced upon all of society
Two sources of authority
Legitimacy
The willingness of the people to obey the government
Coercive force
Police, military, courts, etc.

16. Purposes of
Government

17. Is this provided by the government?
Waste Management?

18. Foreign Negotiations?

19. Develop a national currency?

20. Stabilize the Differences between rich and poor?

21. Solve conflicts between people?

22. Sewage systems?

23. Maintain Social Order Groups = Conflict Governments resolve conflict
Make and enforce laws
Force people to do things
Establish court systems
Place and enforce limitations

24. Provide Public Services
Promote general welfare, health, and safety
Sewer systems
Garbage collection
Food inspection

25. National Security Protect from attack
Peaceful negotiations with foreign nations

26. Economic Decisions Set the economic tone of a country
Attempt to reduce economic differences
Reduce economic instability domestically and abroad

27. The Formation of Governments
Governments usually function at different levels
National
Provinces or States
Counties
Towns and villages

28. -Unitary: All key power is held at the national level
-Federal: Power is divided between the national and state/provincial level
*National level is still supreme!
Government Systems
Government Systems

29. Constitutions Def: A plan that provides the rules for government
Ideals that the people share
Establishes the basic structure of the government and defines powers and duties
Provides the supreme law of the land
*Limits the government!

30. Two types of constitutions
Unwritten
Based on tradition, customs, or previous legislation
Great Britain
Written
United States has the oldest written constitution (1787)

31. Constitutions
are

32. Incomplete
Writing out ALL of the laws, customs, ideals, etc. is impossible
Doesn’t always reflect the actual practices of the government
China
Iraq under Saddam Hussein

33. A Statement of Goals
Preamble: A statement that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government

34. A Framework for Government
Articles
Provides the plan for governments
Relationship between national and state governments
Procedure for changing the document

35. The Highest Law Superior, morally binding force
Must be interpreted and applied

36. Politics
Def: The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government
Government influences daily life
Different people = different, demands on the government
Politics = peaceful way to compete

37. Goals of Politics Maximize benefits received while reducing the cost
Turn values and beliefs into public policy

38. 20th Century
Governing

39. Inequalities Among States
Industrialized Nations: Large industries and advanced technology
US, Japan, Australia
Developing States: Beginning to develop industrially
Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia
Newly Industrialized: Those countries in between
Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Argentina

40. Interdependence
Travel, trade, and communications among states are increasing
Events in one nation impact events throughout the world
Developing nations highly dependent on industrialized nations

41. Nonstate International Groups
Political Movements (PLO)
Multinational Corporations (Nike)
International Organizations (UN)
All impact policies and decisions in many nations throughout the world

42. Chapter 1
Section3:
Types of
Governments

43. Autocracy Totalitarian dictatorship Def: Rule by one person
Oldest and most common form of government
Totalitarian dictatorship
Ideas of a single leader are glorified
Government controls all aspects of social and economic life
Ruthless use of power
Rulers are unlimited in their power

44. Monarchy King, Queen, or Emperor Usually inherited Absolute Monarchs
Complete and unlimited power
Rarely found today
Constitutional Monarchs
Power limited by a constitution
Power shared with elected legislatures

45. Oligarchy Def: Rule by a small group
Power is derived from wealth, military power, social position, religion, or a combination
Usually suppress political opposition
Legislatures elected by the people are usually only for show

46. Democracy *The people VOTE giving them the most power!
Def: Rule by the people
Direct democracy
People vote on every issue
Representative democracy
People elect representatives and allow them to make decisions
*The people VOTE giving them the most power!

47. Characteristics
of a
Democracy

48. Individual Liberty People are as free as possible
Equal opportunity to develop talents and capabilities to the fullest extent

49. Majority Rule & Minority Rights
Decisions are based on a majority-rules system
Rights of the minority group must also be protected
Japanese internment camps during WWII

50. Free Elections “One person, one vote” principle
Candidates can express their views freely
Citizens are free to help candidates
Voting requirements are kept to a minimum
No fear of punishment for voting choices

51. Competing Political Parties
Political Party: group of individuals with broadly common interests
Rival parties give voters a choice
Help to keep the focus on the main issues
“Loyal opposition”
Keeps those in power responsible to the people

52. Requirements
for a
Democracy

53. Citizen Participation
People must be WILLING to take part in civic life
Downward trend in the US

54. 2. Favorable Economy No extremes in wealth and poverty
Economic freedom at the individual level
Stable, growing economies

55. 3. Education Informed decisions are a must!
A powerful, uneducated public will lead to a disaster

56. 4. Civil Society
Voluntary associations, economic groups, religious organizations, etc.
Make views known to the government and the public
Gives citizens the means to protect their rights
Red Cross, Humane Societies, NRA

57. 5. Social Consensus
General agreement on the purposes and limits of government as well as the general ideals of the country

58. Chapter 1 Section 4:
Economic Systems

59. The Government’s Role What and how much should be produced
How goods and services should be produced
Who gets the goods and services that are produced

60. Capitalism
Economic freedom of choice & individual incentive for workers
Free enterprise/Private Ownership.
Freedom of choice = betterment of society.
Economic decisions made by buyers and sellers (Supply and Demand).

61. Adam Smith
Economic Philosopher
“The Wealth of
Nations” (1776)
Laissez-faire “to let alone”
Government is “hands off”

62. 5 Characteristics of Capitalism
Private ownership and control of property and economic resources
Free enterprise
Competition among businesses
Freedom of choice
Possibility of profit

63. The United States Government = Preserve the free market
Role in the economy is increasing
Regulates foreign trade
Largest buyer of goods and services
Becoming involved in labor disputes
Social programs

64. Mixed-Market Economies
Free enterprise combined with and supported by government decisions in the marketplace
Government keeps competition free and fair
Protects public interests
Monopolies

65. Socialism Government owns the basic means of production
Determines the use of resources
- Distributes products and wages
- Provides social services

66. Goals of Socialism
Distribute wealth and economic opportunities equally among people
Societal control of all production
Public ownership of most land

67. Democratic Socialism
People have basic human rights and some control over the government through elections
Opposition
Stifles individual initiative
High taxes hinder economic growth
Could lead to a dictatorship?

68. Communism One-class society with all property distributed equally.
-Communism = state control of all land, natural resources, industries, and forms of communication.

69. Karl Marx “Communist Manifesto”
Class Struggle: Bourgeoisie v. Proletariat
Bourgeoisie = owners
Proletariat = workers
Revolution: workers overthrow owners, take means of production.

70. Communism= Command economy
Government planners decide how much to produce, what to produce, and how to distribute goods and services.
No economic freedom.
Often fail to provide adequate standards of living.

71. Essay
Compare and contrast two of the three forms of government (autocracy, oligarchy and democracy) that were discussed in class.

72. Economic Systems according to Cows
You have two cows. Your neighbors help you take care of them, and you all share the milk.

73. Economic Systems according to Cows
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.

74. Economic Systems according to Cows
You have two cows. The government takes them and puts them in a barn with everyone else's cows. You have to take care of all the cows. The government gives you as much milk as you need.