1. Principles of Government

2. Four Theories - Origin of State
1) Evolutionary Theory - “State evolved from family” the head of the primitive family was the authority that served as the government.
2) Force Theory –emerged when all the people were brought under the authority of one person or group.
3) Divine Right Theory – The Gods have given the leaders the right to rule. (Ancient China, Egypt, etc)
4) Social Contract Theory – When the people give/surrender the power needed to maintain order to the state. Thomas Hobbs- people surrender rights in return for protection with no right to break contract; John Locke – Yes, but if gov’t fails to protect rights, people may justly break contract.
Chap 1, Sect 1

3. Four Essential Features of a State
Population:
Territory: political boundaries defining a specific area
Sovereignty: The state has supreme and absolute authority, within the territorial boundaries.
Government: organized and with the power to make and enforce laws
Chap 1, Sect 1

4. Purposes of Government
Maintain Social Order-
Provide Public Services-
Provide National Security-.
Provide for & control an Economic System
Chap 1, Sect 1

5. Additional Vocabulary
Consensus – agreement on basic means of government – can encompass opposing points of view
Nation – sizable group of people unified by common bonds (race, language, customs, etc.)
Nation-State – when nation and state boundaries coincide
Government - institution by which a state provides the four main purposes of gov’t
Chap 1, Sect 1

6. The Formation of Governments
Chapter 1, Section 2
Chap 1, Sect 2

7. Government Systems
Unitary System- gives all key powers to the national or central government. (local gov’t has limited power)
Federal System- divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments.
Chap 1, Sect 2

8. A constitution serve several major purposes.
1.) sets out ideals that people are bound by the constitution believe in and share.
2.) It establishes the basic structure of government and defines the governments powers and duties.
3.) Provides the supreme law for country.
Constitutions may be written or unwritten.
Constitutional Government - constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers that govern.
Chap 1, Sect 2

9. 1) written constitution cannot spell out all laws, customs, & ideas
Constitutions are important but Incomplete Guides to how a county is actually governed.
1) written constitution cannot spell out all laws, customs, & ideas
2) The constitution doesn’t always reflect the actual practice of government in a country.
A Statement of Goals is set out in preamble.
Body of constitution may establish a framework
Chap 1, Sect 2

10. Constitution provides the supreme law.
Constitution law involves the interpretation and application of the constitution.
Chap 1, Sect 2

11. Politics
Politics –The effort to control or to influence the conduct and policies of government .
Importance of Politics conflicts in society are managed Peaceful method of competing ideas.
Chap 1, Sect 2

12. Governing in the Modern Era
Major Inequalities Among Countries-
Industrialized nations - large industries and advanced technology, more comfortable way of life.
Developing nations - in the beginning of developing industrially.
Growing Interdependence- more nations are depending on each other, economically and politically.
Chap 1, Sect 2

13. Types of Government
Chapter 1, Section 3
Chapter 1, Section 3

14. Autocracy – Power & authority to rule in the hands of a single
Autocracy – Power & authority to rule in the hands of a single individual – including Totalitarianism, Dictatorship, and monarchy.
Oligarchy – System of government in which a small group holds power (such as China or Korea).
Democracy – System of government in which rule is by the people
Direct Democracy- citizens directly on governing issues
Representative Democracy – people elect representatives
to vote on governing issues (also known as Republic and
Constitutional Republic)
Constitutional Monarchy- democracy whose “Head of State” is a monarch
Chapter 1, Section 3

15. Democracy – from Greek: “demos” or the “people”
and “Kratia” meaning “rule”
Majority rule with minority rights (Constitutional Protections)
Free and open elections
Political Party – group of individuals with broad common
interests who organize:
to nominate candidates for office
win elections
conduct government
determine public policy
Chapter 1, Section 3

16. Democracy functions best when:
1.Active Citizen Participation- Informed, vote,
serve on juries
2.Favorable Economy- free enterprise, helps maintain
political stability
3.Widespread Education- helps provide informed
electorate
4.Strong Civil Society – independent organizations
provide a venue for expressing ideas to the government
5.Social Consensus – a general agreement regarding
purposes and limits of government
Chapter 1, Section 3

17. Economic Theories
Economics- study of human efforts to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources.
Role of Economic Systems-
What and how much to be produced.
How produced.
Who consumes.
Chapter 1, Section 4

18. Capitalism- Five main characteristics-
1. Private Ownership & control of property & resources
2. Free enterprise
3. Competition between businesses
4. Freedom of choice (decisions made by buyers & sellers)
5. Possibility of profits
Chapter 1, Section 4

19. Origins of Capitalism
Concept gradually developed with the advent the free market,
Which allowed entrepreneurs to make unlimited economic decisions.
1776 -Adam Smith, Scottish Philosopher & economist, provided
Philosophy for this system. Wrote “The Wealth of Nations.”
Laissez-faire (means to “let alone”)- believed government should adopt a “Hands off” policy toward commerce
Chapter 1, Section 4

20. Mixed Market Economy No nation has pure capitalism
In United States, government has assumed an ever
increasing role in our economy
(Ex.- Social Security System, TVA, food & travel regulations . . .)
Ours, and other countries economies, are a mixture of
free enterprise and government controls in the marketplace

21. Socialism Three Main Goals
Government owns the basic means of production, determines
Use of resources, distributes the product & wages, and
Provides social services (health care, welfare, etc)
Three Main Goals
Distribution of wealth and economic opportunities equally
Government control of all major decisions about production
Public ownership of most land. Factories & means of production
Democratic Socialism- allows government control of production
And economic decisions through elected officials (can stifle initiative
& promote abusive taxation)

22. Communism Theorem: All property held in common, so eventually no need
for government
Command Economy –
How much to produce
What to produce All decided by Government
How to distribute
(and to whom)

23. Communism Class warfare-
Karl Marx ( ) – Father of Modern Communism
Anti-capitalist
Class warfare-
Bourgeoisie (capitalists who own means of production) VS
Proletariat (workers who produce goods or services)