Foundations of GovernmentFoundations of Government

IndividualsIndividuals

Founding Fathers looked back to Founding Fathers looked back to individual philosophers and their workindividual philosophers and their work

What did they like and dislike about ideas What did they like and dislike about ideas on government?on government?

SocratesSocrates

““Question Authority”Question Authority”– Don’t overthrow, rise up against, but simply Don’t overthrow, rise up against, but simply

question “Why”question “Why”

PlatoPlato

Student of SocratesStudent of Socrates

Wrote the Wrote the RepublicRepublic– Centerpiece of our government Centerpiece of our government – ““Republic” in our government???Republic” in our government???

AristotleAristotle

Student of PlatoStudent of Plato

Came up with “Democracy”Came up with “Democracy”

RousseauRousseau

Believed people must give up rights to the Believed people must give up rights to the communitycommunity– Agree to set up a “contract” Democratic form Agree to set up a “contract” Democratic form

of governmentof government

Few persons under the control of the Few persons under the control of the general will of the wholegeneral will of the whole– Maintain freedoms and controlMaintain freedoms and control

No single form of government is best No single form of government is best

HobbesHobbes

Believed humans are evil and selfishBelieved humans are evil and selfish

Humans will pursue power and Humans will pursue power and possessionspossessions

Must have a Powerful Monarch to create Must have a Powerful Monarch to create conditions where people can live conditions where people can live peacefully.peacefully.– Must be fearedMust be feared

MachiavelliMachiavelli

Worked for the Medici family in Italy Worked for the Medici family in Italy (Renaissance)(Renaissance)

““Ends Justifies The Means”Ends Justifies The Means”

Do what is needed to get what you wantDo what is needed to get what you want

Politics / Government – stay in powerPolitics / Government – stay in power

Lie, Cheat, Steal, Murder, … OK Lie, Cheat, Steal, Murder, … OK

John LockeJohn Locke

English PhilosopherEnglish PhilosopherNatural RightsNatural Rights– Life, Liberty, Property (Dec. of Independence)Life, Liberty, Property (Dec. of Independence)

State of NatureState of Nature– No government, strong will survive, island No government, strong will survive, island

Social ContractSocial Contract– Agreement between the government /leader Agreement between the government /leader

and the people (CONSENT POWER)and the people (CONSENT POWER)– Take power back if doesn’t workTake power back if doesn’t work

Karl MarxKarl Marx

Father of Communism (economic system)Father of Communism (economic system)

Communist ManifestoCommunist Manifesto– Laid out plan for communismLaid out plan for communism– Thought it would happen in England Thought it would happen in England

Industrial RevolutionIndustrial Revolution

Very rich and very poorVery rich and very poor

– Plan occurred in Russia (1917)Plan occurred in Russia (1917)Bolshevik RevolutionBolshevik Revolution

Types of GovernmentTypes of Government

Republic (Plato)Republic (Plato)– Government in which the people exercise Government in which the people exercise

their political power through elected their political power through elected representativesrepresentatives

FederalismFederalism– Authority / power is divided between the state Authority / power is divided between the state

and federal governmentand federal government

Types of GovernmentTypes of Government

OligarchyOligarchy– Rule by the fewRule by the few

MonarchyMonarchy– Rule by King / Queen (Divine Right)Rule by King / Queen (Divine Right)

DictatorshipDictatorship– Absolute power in the hands of oneAbsolute power in the hands of one– Rule by violence and forceRule by violence and force

Types of GovernmentTypes of Government

DemocracyDemocracy– Rule by the people Rule by the people

Indirect DemocracyIndirect Democracy– People elect others to vote on and create People elect others to vote on and create

legislation for themlegislation for them

Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy– People vote directly on lawsPeople vote directly on laws

What Democracy does USA have???What Democracy does USA have???

Types of Government / EconomiesTypes of Government / Economies

CommunismCommunism– Government control of allGovernment control of all– Classless societyClassless society– No private propertyNo private property– Countries: China, Cuba, Vietnam, N. KoreaCountries: China, Cuba, Vietnam, N. Korea

SocialismSocialism– Government controls production and Government controls production and

distribution distribution