1. What is Government
And why does it exist

2. Government
Is the institution through which a society makes and enforces it public policies
Public Policies - all of those things a government decides to do.
Income tax
Setting minimum wage
Maintaining armies
Protecting the environment

3. What is a State? State “aka country”
– a body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically- that is, under a government and having the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority.
4 Characteristics of a State
1. Population
2. Territory
3. Sovereignty
4. Government

4. 1. Population Population – having people
the size of the population has nothing to do with the existence of a state.
Most of the population have many things in common
Religion
Races
Languages
Customs
Nation

5. 2. Territory Territory- a state must have very defined land boundaries
United States
North – Canada
South - Mexico
East – Atlantic Ocean
West – Pacific Ocean

6. 3. Sovereignty
Sovereignty- each state has the ability and power to have complete power to rule itself
A state can determine such things as:
What type of government will rule the country
What type of Economics the country will have
Domestic Policies
Foreign Policies

7. 4. Government
Every state has a government

8. 4 Theories of the Origins of the State
1. Force Theory
One person or group claim control over an area and forced all with in it to submit to the will of that person or group.
With changing of leaders comes wars

9. 4 Theories of the Origins of the State
2. The Evolutionary Theory
This theory claims that the development of the state was passed down from family
Normally the eldest males ruled and pass it down to their eldest son
If no son to succeed them then sometimes the Forced theory will happen to see who the next ruler will be

10. 4 Theories of the Origins of the State
3. Divine Right Theory
Believed that God chose a person to become the ruler of a state
People believed that that person was a god themselves

11. 4 Theories of the Origins of the State
4. Social Contract Theory
People give up certain rights to the government for the protection and well- being of all
United States uses this type of theory
Normally in a country with a Democracy

12. Purposes of Government
1. Providing Leadership
2. Maintaining Order
3. Providing Public Services
4. Providing National Security
5. Provide Economic Security/Assistance