1. INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT
“The Government And The State”

2. THE GOVERNMENT
GOVERNMENT—the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
Public policies—all the things a government decides to do (taxes, defense, education, crime, health care, etc)

3. POWER ALL GOVERNMENTS HAVE 3 TYPES OF POWER
Legislative—power to MAKE laws
Executive—power to ENFORCE laws
Judicial—power to INTERPRET laws
These powers are often outlined in a CONSTITUTION
There are different TYPES of governments

4. THE STATE
STATE (“nation” or “country”)—a body of people, living in a particular area, following a particular government who have the ability to make and enforce laws
4 Characteristics of a STATE
Population—people
Territory—recognized boundaries
Sovereignty—absolute power within its territory
Government—every state has a government

5. DISCUSSION
Look at page 8 in your text. Which of those 4 ‘origins’ seem “most likely” to you? Why?

6. ORIGINS OF THE STATE The Force Theory The Evolutionary Theory
One person or small group claimed control over an area and forced all to submit
The group established all elements of the state
The Evolutionary Theory
Developed naturally out of the early family
One person was “head” and thus “government was the first step

7. The Divine Right Theory
God created the state
God gave those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule (Divine Right of Kings)
The Social Contract Theory
State arose out of the voluntary act of free people (people chose to CREATE state)
State SERVES people
People are source of POWER

8. PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT What does a government DO?
Form a more perfect union
Establish justice
Insure domestic tranquility
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure the blessings of liberty
WHERE HAVE YOU HEARD THESE BEFORE?

9. DISCUSSION
Discuss with your group why having a government is IMPORTANT and NECESSARY
What OTHER reasons for having a government can you come up with?

10. ANARCHY THE ABSENCE OF GOVERNMENT IS ANARCHY No laws No freedom
No protection
Every man for himself
Law of Brute Force prevails

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