1. What is Government?

2.  What is Government?  What functions does government perform?  How does government promote the public good?

3.  Write down your own definition of government.  Include your understanding of what governments do.  How do you believe governments promote the public good?

4.  An institution that makes and enforces rules for a group of people  What are some examples of government in:  Salem?  McCook County?  South Dakota?  The United States?  The World?

5.  State any political unit (city, county, etc.)  Citizens members of a state  Sovereignty a government’s power over its citizens  Law rules enforced by government  Natural Law law that would exist in the absence of government  Public policies plans that apply to a specific area of public concern  Ex. Drug laws, zoning for construction, school curriculum

6.  1) Divine Right authority is given to heads of state by God (Kings and Queens usually)  2) Social Contract (Thomas Hobbs) people give up their sovereignty to the state in return for law and order  Journal Entry name 3 things our government does to hold up its end of the social contract  3) Natural Rights (John Locke) life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (ex.’s)  Legitimacy rightful authority a government has over its citizens

7.  Governments maintain their end of the social contract  1) Maintain Order  Laws and police to enforce them  2) Provide Services  Roads, mail, welfare, healthcare  3) Resolve Conflicts  Politics and legislations  4) Promote Values  Gov’t passes laws and legislations that reflect public opinion

8.  Politics process of people participating in government and setting policies and laws  Values principles by which people act and live their lives  Public Good well-being of society

9.  Groups of 3  Discuss, summarize and record your understanding of:  1) what government is  2) what basic functions government performs  3) An example of how our government reflects the values of its people  Summary should be 3 to 4 sentences  Everyone records their group’s summary in their own journal.