2. Basic Political Theory and Historical Roots

3. The Basic Unit ► The foundational political unit in the world is the state  Body of people in a territory with a government that has no higher authority  Examples: Mexico, Russia, Canada, the United States are all states

4. The 4 Characteristics of a State ► Population ► Territory ► Sovereignty ► Government Vice-President Joe Biden

5. How Did States Evolve? ► Theory #1 - Force  One group took control by force and imposed their will upon others

6. How Did States Evolve? ► Theory #2 – Evolutionary  Heads of families became heads of clans as the families grew, eventually leading to a network of tribes that formed states

7. How Did States Evolve? ► Theory #3 – Divine Right  15 th through 18 th centuries, Western world believed God gave certain people a “divine right” to rule over others

8. How Did States Evolve? ► Theory #4 – Social Contract  Theory was developed by John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean Jacque Rousseau John Locke (1632-1704)

9. How Did States Evolve? ► Theory #4 – Social Contract  Free people decided to form states to keep themselves safe John Locke (1632-1704)

10. SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL, ROSS?!

11. The Big Deal is: ► So if people formed states to serve their own interests, then government exists to serve the people

12. Purpose of Government ► Based on the social contract theory, the purpose of American government is to:  Form a More Perfect Union  Establish Justice  Insure Domestic Tranquility  Provide for the Common Defense  Promote the General Welfare  Secure the Blessings of Liberty

13. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Who Can Participate  Democracy - “Government of the people, by the people, for the people” ► Direct - people make policy themselves ► Indirect - people vote for others who will make policy (also called republic)

14. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Who Can Participate  Dictatorship – government is not accountable to anyone ► Autocracy – single person holds unlimited power ► Oligarchy – a small, self-appointed group rules

15. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power  Unitary – one national government, smaller lower units have little or no say in policy ► Examples : Israel, Great Britain, France

16. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power  Federal – smaller units share power with the central national government ► Examples : Mexico, Canada, Australia

17. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Geographic Distribution of Power  Confederal – smaller regional governments hold the most power, united by a weak central government ► Examples : European Union, Confederate States

18. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Relationship between Legislative (people writing the laws) and Executive (people enforcing the laws)  Presidential – voters separately elect Executive and Legislative branch members

19. Different Forms of Government ► Classified based on Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches  Parliamentary – Executive is chosen from the Legislative branch

21. Basic Concepts of Democracy ► Worth of the Individual ► Equality of All Persons  Not necessarily equal conditions, but strive for equal opportunity

22. Basic Concepts of Democracy ► Majority Rule, Minority Rights ► Necessity of Compromise ► Individual Freedom

23. Free Enterprise ► Free Enterprise is the economic system that allows most democracies to work.

24. Free Enterprise ► Four factors of a free enterprise system:  Private ownership  Individual initiative  Profit  Competition

25. How it Works ► The Law of Supply and Demand  When supply is high or demand is low, prices are low  When supply is low or demand is high, prices are high  These are market forces. If consumers want things or not, consumers decide…

26. Where does Government Fit in? ► Government always plays a role in regulating an economy  Governments can fully control an economy, or let it be free  The U.S. uses a mixed economy, to protect the public and preserve private ownership