1. Foundations of Government
Unit 1
Foundations of Government

2. Functions of Government
Providing Leadership
Government sets priorities and makes decisions on behalf of the people
Without leadership, anarchy results

3. Functions of Government
2) Maintaining Order
Government controls and contains conflict by placing limits on what individuals can do
Maintains order by providing security force (police)
Provides courts & punish those who break laws

4. Functions of Government
3) Providing Public Services
Governments create schools, roads, sewer systems, etc.
Services that protect public health (fire departments)
Enforce housing codes and regulations

5. Functions of Government
4) Providing National Security
Protect from attacks by other countries

6. Functions of Government
5) Providing Economic Security and Economic Assistance
Negotiate trading with other countries to protect U.S. businesses
Stimulate economic growth and stability
Assistance to people in need

7. Essential Features of A State
1) Population -- people
2) Territory -- land
3) Sovereignty -- self-rule
4) Government -- someone in charge

8. Federal System
Government power is divided between national government and state government
The national government is also sometimes called the “Federal” government. This refers to the government in Washington, DC
In New York State, the state government is located in the state capital, Albany

10. Major Types of Government
Authoritarian
Government controls everything about its citizens’ lives
Examples: Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia

11. Major Types of Government
2) Monarchy
King or Queen rules with complete power
Ruler is named based on family succession
Most today are constitutional monarchies--a combination of the monarchy and law-making body
Examples: Great Britain, Japan

12. Major Types of Government
3) Democracy
Government is elected by the people -- representative OR
People vote directly on laws -- direct
US is mainly a representative democracy, except for some small towns
Examples: United States, Canada

13. Basics of a Democracy Citizen Participation
Regular Free and Fair Elections
Accepting the Results of Elections
Rule of Law
Majority Rule with Minority Rights
Accountability
Transparency

14. Structure of the Constitution
Preamble
An introduction to the Constitution
Explains why the Constitution was written and the purpose of our government

16. Structure of the Constitution
Articles
Sections of the Constitution
Each covers a different topic on how the government is structured
7 different sections

17. Structure of the Constitution
Amendments
Changes to the Constitution
Currently 27 amendments

18. Branches of Government
There are 3 branches of our government
Legislative - makes the laws
Executive - enforces the laws
Judicial - interprets the laws

19. Branches of Government
Checks and Balances
Each branch has ways to “check” or control the other
This keeps any one branch from becoming too powerful

21. Amendments Process Can be proposed by ⅔ vote in House and Senate
Can be approved by ¾ vote of the State legislatures
Another term for approving amendments is to ratify

22. Amendments Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to constitution is the Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights guarantees our basic freedoms
Other amendments represent changes to the Constitution

23. Division of Power Between Federal and State
Delegated Powers
Powers given to the Federal government
Example: Coin money

24. Division of Power Between Federal and State
Implied Powers
Federal government powers that are not stated in the Constitution
Needed because times change
Example: Nuclear weapons

25. Division of Power Between Federal and State
Reserved Powers
Powers given to the state governments by the Constitution
Example: Providing Licenses

26. Division of Power Between Federal and State
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by state and the Federal governments
Example: Levying Taxes