1. Principles of Government
Government’s are the product of human needs and experiences

2. Government and Politics
Government is the institution that makes and enforces law Politics is the process by which society decides how power and resources are used and distributed

3. Nation States A State is the dominant political unit
Characteristics of states:
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government

4. How do states form?
Force Theory: 1 person or a small group takes power and forces others to follow Evolutionary Theory: Society naturally moved from nomadic culture to patriarchal society
Divine Right Theory: God created the state and gave those with royal birth the “divine right” to rule Social Contract Theory: A contract is created to form a government

5. Social Contract Theorists
Thomas Hobbes
People agreed to give up what was necessary for the greater good
John Locke
People contracted with a ruler to protect their right to life, liberty and property. People could revolt if the ruler did not protect these rights
Jean Jacques Rousseau
People formed a community based on majority rule-true democracy

6. What are the purposes of Government?
To form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Create domestic tranquility
Common defense
Promote general welfare
The blessing of liberty

7. How do you classify a government?
Who can participate?
Geographic distribution of governmental power within a state
Relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government

8. Classify the governments of these states

9. Classify the governments of these states

10. What are the concepts of Democracy?
Worth of the individual
Equality of all persons
Majority rule vs. Minority rights
Necessity of compromise
Individual freedom

11. THEORIES OF U.S. DEMOCRACY
PLURALIST THEORY
A theory of government and politics emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies
Groups will work together
Public interest will prevail
ELITIST THEORY
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule
Policies benefit those with money and power