political science introduction to government. define government in your own words list 15 examples...
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Political Science
Introduction to Government
Define government in your own words
List 15 examples of government at work in your area-local, county, state, nation.
List 4 reasons government is such a “turn off” to so many citizens.
Do we really need government?Is government
necessary in EVERY society?Why? Why not?
Characteristics of a State (Nation)Population
People (citizens)Territory
LandGovernment
Rules and laws Sovereignty
Right and ability to rule itself
Types of Gov’tConfederation
Each state retains its own sovereignty and gives only limited powers to the central gov’t
Types of Gov’tFederalism
Political authority is divided between a national (federal) gov’t and its political subdivisions (states)
But who is in charge?Autocracy
Single individual holds political power and authority
Ex. Monarchy or dictatorship
But who is in charge?Oligarchy
Small, self-appointed elite group that rules the state
Not very common
But who is in charge?Totalitarian rule
Gov’t that tries to control the state (nation), the people, and society TOTALLY
Often a combo with autocracy Totalitarian Dictators (Hitler)
DemocracyAll power belongs to the people, which rule the
state (nation)
But do they really? How?
Basic Concepts of DemocracyA recognition of the fundamental worth
and dignity of every personA respect for the equality of all personsA faith in majority rule and insistence
upon minority rightsAn acceptance of the necessity of
compromiseAn insistence upon the widest possible
degree of freedom
Individual WorthThe individual is a distinct being and has a
great importance in democracy
The welfare of individuals comes behind the welfare of the society as a whole
Equality of all persons“All men are created equal”
Everyone is guaranteed: 1. equality of opportunity 2. equality before the law
No one can be held back for any arbitrary (random) reason like race, color, religion, or gender
Majority Rule with Minority RightsMajority rules
Minority rights are still respectedCannot be taken away by majority partyFreedom of speech, press, and assembly (civil
rights) still available
Necessity of CompromiseCompromise-blending and adjusting
competing views and interests
Essential to democracy
Individual FreedomNot complete freedom (chaos), but
individuals “must be as free to do as he or she pleases as far as the freedom of all will allow.”
“The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Forms of DemocracyDirect Democracy
“Pure Democracy”
Everyone has a chance to participate in gov’t on a first-hand basis
Useful in small communities only
Wait a minute…Can’t every voter
vote on laws and policies?
Forms of DemocracyRepresentative Democracy
“Indirect Democracy”
People elect others to represent them to make laws and establish policies
United States
Free Enterprise SystemBased on four concepts:
1. Private ownership2. Individual initiative3. Profit4. Competition
Supply and DemandWhen supplies of goods are high and services
are plentiful, prices tend to dropA lot of something = lower prices
When supplies are more scarce, prices tend to riseLittle quantities of something = higher prices
Mixed EconomyPrivate enterprise exists in combination with
a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion