Chapter One

I. What is Government?

II. What are the characteristics of “A State”?

III. What are the four theories of the Origin of a State?

IV. How do we Classify Governments?

I. Definition of Government:

A. The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies (what the govt decides to do)

B. Government is made up of people who exercise authority & control over its people

II. Characteristics of a StateA. The STATE can be defined as

PEOPLE

TERRITORY

GOVERNMENT

SOVEREIGNTY

What is YOUR mnemonic device?

B. Four Characteristics of a State

1.) a body of people

(PEOPLE)

2). living in a defined territory

(TERRITORY)

3). organized politically

(that is, with a GOVERNMENT)

4). with the POWER to make and enforce law

without the consent of a higher authority (SOVEREIGNTY)

*PEOPLE * TERRITORY * GOVERNMENT *SOVEREIGNTY

III. Four (4) Theories on the Origin of a State:

A). Force Theory

B). Divine Right Theory

C). Evolutionary Theory

D). Social Contract Theory

A. Force Theory Idea that one person or a small group

claimed control over an area forcing all in the area to submit to that person/group’s rule.

When that rule was established the basic characteristics of the state were present (people, territory, government, sovereignty)

B. Divine Right Theory1). This theory stated that

GOD created the State and that GOD had given those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule.

2). This was widely accepted in much of the Western world from the 15th century through the 18th century

3). The people were bound to obey their ruler as they would GOD (if they didn’t they were charged with Treason & it was a Mortal SIN !!

Divine Right Theory Cont. 4) The Divine Right Theory was not unique to

European History.a). Many ancient civilizations did, as well:

1). Chinese2). Egyptian3). Aztec4). Mayan Civilizations5). The Japanese emperor governed by the divine right until 1945.

C. Evolutionary Theory1). This theory holds that the STATE evolved

out of the primitive family

2). Evolution to a network of families

3). the CLAN becomes a TRIBE

4). Tribe ends its nomadic ways, and takes up agriculture, and the STATE was born

Family Clan Tribe State

C. Social Contract TheoryPhilosophers (17th/18th cent): Thomas Hobbes, James

Harrington, John Locke, Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu came up with this theory:

1. Humans lived in a state of nature in which there was no government and no one ruled another person, however there was no one to protect people from the aggression of another, SO they were only as safe as they were smart & strong

2. Humans could overcome this by making an agreement to give power up to a state

3. Free people gave up power and the state rose out of that.

Thomas Hobbes John Locke1.) Absolute Monarch2.) People are born with rights that theyrelinquish to the monarch in return forprotection. This is known as social contract.3.) Believed that people were wicked,selfish, and cruel and would act on behalf oftheir best interests. “Every man for everyman”.4.) No, people could be trusted to governthemselves and an absolute monarchwould demand obedience in to maintainorder.5.) The purpose of the government was tokeep law and order.6.) Because people had no say in theirgovernment, they could do nothing if themonarch were abusive.

1.) Democracy2.) All people are born with certaininalienable rights. They are life, liberty,and the right to own property.3.) Believed that people were bynature good and that they could learnfrom their experiences.4.) Yes, people could be trusted togovern themselves. Locke believedthat if provided with the rightinformation would make gooddecisions.5.) The purpose of the government isto protect individual liberties and rights.6.) The people had the right to revoltagainst an abusive government.

IV. How do we Classify Governments?

A. By who can Participate (democracy or dictatorship? )

B. By the Geographic Distribution of Power (is it all in one place or spread to different levels)

C. By the Relationship between the Executive and Legislative Branches (Presidential or Parliamentary)

Government Systems The relationship between a nation’s central

government and its smaller governmental divisions can be described as either unitary or federal.

Unitary System Gives all key powers to the national or

central government. This doesn’t mean that there are not other levels

to the government. The other levels may have limited sovereignty. Ex. Great Britain and France

Federal Systems Divides the power of government between

the national government and state or provincial governments.

Each level has same sovereignty Ex. United States, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico,

Australia, India, and Russia.

Constitutions and Government A constitution is a plan

that provides the rules of government.

The may be written or unwritten

The U.S. Constitution drawn in 1787 is the oldest written constitution in the world

Major Purpose of Constitutions It sets out ideals that

people bound by and share

It establishes the basic structure of government powers and duties.

It provides the supreme law of the country.

Constitutional governments are a form of limited government.

Incomplete Guides First, No written

constitution can cover everything. Ex. Number of terms

of the President.

Second, a constitution does not always reflect the actual practice of government in a country. Ex. Ferguson police

arresting the press.

Preamble

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic

Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this

Constitution for the United States of America.

-U.S. Constitution

A Framework for Government The main body of a constitution sets out the

plan for government and, in the case of the United States, lays out the relationship between the state and federal governments. The U.S. Constitution has 7 articles, 21 sections.

The Highest Law Constitutional law involves the

interpretation and application of the constitution.

Primarily, it concerns with defining the extend of limits of government powers and the rights of the citizens.

Politics and Government The effort to control or influence the

conduct and polices of government is called politics.

Citizens’ groups protesting higher taxes or when they meet with the mayor to ask the city t repave the streets n their neighborhood are participating in politics

Governing in a Complex World Industrialized nations- generally large

industries and advanced technology that provide a more comfortable way of life than developing nations.

Globalization- the interconnection of countries that are not geographically close.

TYPES OF GOVERNMENTChapter One

Autocracy Any system of

government in which the power and authority to rule is in the hands of a single individual.

Examples

1.Dictatorship

2.Absolute Monarch

Autocracy

Dictatorship North Korea Nazi Germany Cuba

Absolute Monarch Saudi Arabia Vatican City Swaziland

Constitutional Monarchs Shares governmental

powers with elected legislators or serves mainly as the ceremonial leader(s) of a government.

Ex. Great Britain with Queen Elizabeth

Oligarchy Any system of

government in which a small group holds power.

Derives its power from wealth, military power, social position or a combination of these elements

Examples

U.S.S.R. (Russia)

Questions

Is the United States an Oligarchy?

My opinion:

I believe that America is not an Oligarchy, but that wealthy individuals definitely have more access to the government.

Democracy Any system of

government in which rule is by the people.

Two Forms: Direct Democracy-

voting on issues individually as citizens

Representative-people elect leader to vote on their behalf.

Characteristics of Democracy 1. Individual Liberty

2. Majority Rule with Minority Rights

3. Free Elections

4. Competing Political Parties

Equally Opportunity Protect the right of

the few. “one person, one

vote” Choice and

accountability

“Soil of Democracy” 1. Active Citizen

Participation

2. A Favorable Economy

3. Widespread Education

4. Strong Civil Society

5. A Social Consensus

Informed about issues

Free Enterprise All citizens get public

education. Groups independent

of the government Shared Values

QuestionWhat “grade” would you give America’s democracy?

ECONOMIC THEORIES Chapter One

Introduction Economics-the study

of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants thought the use of limited resources.

Major Economic Questions 1. What and how much

should be produced

2. How should goods and service be produced

3. Who gets goods and services that are produced

Capitalism

Capitalism1. Private Ownership

2. Free Enterprise

3. Competition among business

4. Freedom of choice

5. Possibility of profits

Origin Who: Adam Smith and

others When: ??? (last 200 years) Where: Europe How: idea that people

could work for economic gain

the idea that wealth should be used aggressively

Free Market and Laissez-Faire French for “to let

alone” Government should

keep its hands off the economy.

The government places no limits on the freedom of buyers and sellers.

Question

Do you think “big business” has

become too powerful?

Mixed Market Economy

Government keeps competition free and fair, as well as protects the public interest.

Ex. European Union

Socialism

Definition Government owns the basic means of

production, determines the use of resources, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services.

Origin Where: Europe When: Nineteenth Century Who: Low Wage Workers How: Violent Revolution

Democratic Socialism Peaceful changes that want to work within

the democratic political system to improve economic conditions.

Examples

Question

Denmark Highest minimum wage Least corrupt country Highest satisfaction with

life

Do you think Socialism works?

Sweden Most equal income

distribution Highest level of

democracy Best place to grow old

Yes, It can work, but every county is different

Communism

Origins

Who: Karl Marx When:1848

Where: Worldwide How: Communist Manifesto

Communism

Bourgeoisie Own the means of

production. The ruling class Keep profits from the

workers Would slowly get more

and more power

Proletariat Workers Never receive full

compensation for their labor

Needed to rise in a violent revolution before they lost all their rights.

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