Chapter 1 Foundations of Government. The purposes of Government Forms of Government Democracy in the United States

Transcription

1 Chapter 1 Foundations of Government The purposes of Government Forms of Government Democracy in the United States

2 Definition of Government The formal institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a group of people

3 1. People 3 Parts of a Government a. Elected officials b. Public servants 2. Powers (authority and ability to get things done) a. Make laws (legislative) b. Carry out laws (executive) c. Interpret laws & settle disputes (judicial) 3. Policies (decision made by government in pursuit of a goal) a. Laws b. Government program c. Set of government actions

4 What is a State? Political Unit with the power to make and enforce laws over a group of people living within a clearly defined territory Also called a country or a nation or a nationstate

5 Characteristics of Nation/State Population people Territory Land/borders Sovereignty The supreme power to act within its territory and control its external affairs (complete independence to make laws and decisions for itself) Government

6 Purposes/Functions of Government Why is government here? There are 5 main purposes/functions 1. Ensure national security 2. Maintain order 3. Resolve conflict 4. Provide public services 5. Provide for the public good

7 1. Maintain Social Order People can t live without conflict To control conflict, the government must make laws, have consequences, and enforcement of them. Freedom v. protection

8 2. Provide Public Services Government provides services that individuals can t do efficiently alone (paid for by taxes) build sewer systems, roads, provide education and parks deliver mail and take away garbage Make and enforce laws that promote public health and safety promote health and safety driver s test, food inspection, water and air pollution controls, etc.

9 3. Promote National Security Protect from threat from: Attacks by external threats World Wars, 9-11 Each other within the country Riots, crimes Natural disasters hurricanes, floods, tornados Yourself mentally challenged, suicidal

10 4. Resolve Conflict How? Intimidation, force Politics process by which the government makes and carries out decisions Judicial system Courts

11 5. Provide for the Public Good promote the general welfare the public good can change over time public women, minorities criminals, immigrants, children good Food safety Car regulations computers

12 Why do people follow leaders and laws? People follow rulers with legitimacy Rulers seen as right and proper part of a legal chosen government Voluntarily accept rulers and follow them

13 Origins/Beginnings of States What was life like before states/nations? How or why did they develop? There are 4 theories (ideas)

14 4 Theories of Rule Evolutionary Theory Force Theory Divine Right Theory Social Contract Theory

15 1. Evolutionary Theory What does evolve mean? Change/adapt States began as families Over time they got too big and needed better/different organization Eventually they evolved into states (countries)

16 2. Force Theory People were forced to come together out of necessity or to accomplish a common goal OR forced by a dictator to perform tasks Examples: control floods, defense, food

17 3. Divine Right (of kings) Theory What does divine refer to? God/religion The gods choose people to rule and put them where he wanted them to be. Those born into royalty were chosen by gods To oppose the monarch was to oppose the government and was treason and a sin against God

18 Social Contract By the 1600 s, Europeans challenged divine right theory & developed idea of a social contract

19 4. Social Contract Theory What does social refer to? people What is a contract? agreement

20 Social Contract is a Agreement between: The People: Agree to surrender some of their rights or powers The State/ Government: Agrees to protect citizens

21 Views on Social Contract Can you break a contract? Thomas Hobbes John Locke People cannot break the contract You must live with the government you have! Any government, even a bad one, is better than no government at all.

22 Thomas Hobbes: during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in.a war of every man against every man the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. Government s primary goal is security Any government is better than no government.

23 John Locke Can you break the contract? People naturally had the right to life, liberty, and property People can break the contract if the government failed to protect these rights

24 John Locke: Where there is no law, there is no freedom. Every man hath a right to punish the offender, and be the executioner of the law of nature. Government s primary goal is liberty (protecting your rights and freedoms)

25 Autocracy 3 Forms of Government (How many people are in power)? rule by one person monarchy or dictatorship Oligarchy rule of government by a small group aristocracy or theocracy Democracy rule by the people

26 Monarchy Rule by a king, queen, or emperor (usually inherited) Two types 1. absolute monarchy complete and unlimited control Saudi Arabia 2. constitutional monarchy share the power with elected officials and are usually only ceremonial figures Great Britain

27 Dictatorship System where one individual holds the power and makes government decisions for his own benefit Usually come to power by force Have complete control Totalitarian government

28 Oligarchy A small group has the power Similar to a dictatorship Aristocracy A small group of rich/ privileged people who control the government Theocracy A small group of religious leaders who control the government

29 Democracy (two types) Rule by the people [Greek words - demos (the people) + kratia (rule)] Two types 1. direct democracy = all individuals vote on all things (all laws and decisions) 2. representative democracy (republic) = people elect representatives to make decisions for them

30 Types of political systems in a democracy Presidential President elected by people Limited term Chooses cabinet Controls executive branch Parliamentary Prime minister chose by legislature Member of majority party Cabinet members of leg. & majority party Executive and legislative are combined

31 Advantages & Disadvantages Presidential Advantage Balance of power with legislative branch Elected and independent Disadvantage Divided government (when legislative and executive branch are from different parties) Parliamentary Advantage Easier to pass laws Disadvantage Prime minister doesn t answer to the people Prime Minister can t stand up to parliament or he could be forced to resign

32 Organizing National Power (Where is the power)? 1. Unitary 2. Confederacy 3. Federal

33 Unitary System Gives all power to one place - the national or central government - The national government CAN create more levels if they choose(states, provincial, etc.) Examples = Great Britain, Italy, France, etc.

34 Confederacy Gives power to the local government(states) Local Government (states) can give some powers to the national government

35 Federal System divides power between two places - national and local (state) government each level has powers Examples = U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Australia, etc.

36 Government Systems Unitary System = State = National Government Federal System

37 Types of government systems Confederacy = state = national government

38 Democracy in the United States Ideal Conception of something in its perfect form An ultimate goal 3 Ideals of American Democracy 1. Liberty 2. Equality 3. Self-Government

39 3 Ideals of American Democracy Liberty, Equality, Self-Government 1. Liberty Freedom Ability of people to act and think as they choose, so long as their choices do no harm to the liberty or well-being of others Freedom from government control Freedom to exercise one s rights guaranteed in the constitution Examples: voting, free speech, free religion, freedom to choose your job and where you want to live

40 2. Equality Ideal that all people possess a fundamental, moral worth that entitles them to fair treatment under the law and equal opportunity in all aspects of life political, social, and economic Ability to run for office, to vote, to choose our friends, job, college, etc. with no regard for your color, race, gender, age, religion, etc. Thomas Jefferson We hold these truths to be selfevident. That all men are created equal.

41 3. Self-Government Ideal that ordinary people can rule themselves and do so as political equals People are the ultimate source of government authority We can vote, run for office, debate, speak our minds, etc. Declaration of Independence: Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers form the consent of the governed If the government loses content, it is the Right of People to alter or abolish it and institute a new Government.

42 Principle 5 Principles of American Democracy A fundamental or general law or truth A guiding sense of the requirements and obligations of proper conduct 1. Worth of the Individual 2. Rule of Law 3. Majority Rule, Minority Rights 4. Compromise 5. Citizen Participation

43 1. Worth of the Individual High value placed on individual freedom, personal responsibility, self-reliance and individual achievement (When people are free they can reach their highest potential) If you are free to choose your (fill in the blank), you will do better, try harder, work harder If you are held accountable for your actions, you will be more responsible If you get the benefits of your efforts, you will try your hardest

44 2. Rule of Law John Adams: U.S. government is a government of laws, not men U.S. government and its officials are subject to recognized and enforced limits on their powers All leaders have to follow the laws All leaders are limited by the constitution and laws

45 3. Majority Rule, Minority Rights The majority rules, but the rights of the numerical minority are protected Minority rights are rights held by groups who make up less than half of the population Founding Fathers worried about any group, even the majority, getting too much power In our democracy, the rights of ALL are protected Everyone has the right to express their opinion, even if it is unpopular

46 4. Compromise The ability of two opposing groups to each give up some of their demands and come to an agreement This MUST exist in a democracy or democracy will fail

47 5. Citizen Participation A successful self-government requires participation from citizens at the very least they should be informed Examples: Voting, running for office, speaking their minds, protesting (peacefully), serve on juries, hold leaders accountable, attend public meetings, volunteer for military and social service, pay taxes, join political parties, etc.

48 Economic Freedom Free Enterprise Where individuals and businesses are free to engage in economic activity with minimal government interference (buyers and sellers negotiate business with very little government involvement) Founding fathers believe economic freedom would allow people to build wealth that would give them the power to limit the power of the government Freedoms include: Earning money, purchasing property, spending income on goods and services, choosing your job, open a business