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FOUNDATIONS OF GOVERNMENT [Unit 1]. Where did “politics” start?. The Greek philosopher Aristotle was one of the first to study government. He studied the polis , a state consisting of a city and the surrounding countryside, of the ancient Greeks.
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Where did “politics” start? • The Greek philosopher Aristotle was one of the first to study government. • He studied the polis, a state consisting of a city and the surrounding countryside, of the ancient Greeks. • The Greeks gave us many terms and concepts of government such as politics, democracy, and republic.
States • The word state comes from the Latin word stare and means “to stand.” • A state is a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority.
Nations • The term nation commonly refers to an independent state or country. • A nation is a group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and, sometimes, religion.
Nation-State • A nation-state is a country in which both the nation and the state coincide. • The U.S.A is an example of a nation-state. France is also an example.
Features of a State • States share four essential features: • Population • Territory • Sovereignty • Government
Population • People are needed to form a state. • Population affects stability of a state. • States where people share a general political and social consensus, oragreement, have the most stable governments. • Mobility of people affects political power.
Territory • What are the territorial boundaries of the U.S. ? • A state MUST have territory in order to house its people. • The U.S. has gained land through treaties, war, and purchasing it. • The most notable purchases: Louisiana Purchase, the Gadsden Purchase, and Alaska. • The most notable treaties: Original 13 colonies, Territory in 1790, Texas, the Mexican Cession, and the Treaty of Paris (1898).
Sovereignty • Political sovereignty means that the state has the supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries. • Theoretically, each state is equal in legal rights and duties. • In practice, states with greater economic strength and military capabilities have more power than other states.
Government • Government is the institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people living within the state.
Essential Features of a State! WHAT MAKES A STATE A STATE? • POPULATION • TERRITORY • SOVEREIGNTY • GOVERNMENT In each column the “feature,” the definition (explanation) for each feature, an example for each feauture, and draw a picture to remember each feature. (see pgs. 4-8 in the textbook if you need additional information)
Power of the Government • The decisions of government are authoritative – they can be enforced upon all society. • It gets its power from 2 sources – legitimacy and coercive force. • Legitimacy is the willingness of citizens to obey the government. • Coercive force comes from the police, judicial, and military institutions of government.
Unitary System • Governments range in size and type. Most larger countries have several levels of government – national, state, and local. • Aunitary system gives all key powers to the national or central government. The central government can still set up other local or state governments. • China is an example of unitary government
Federal System • The federal system divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments. • Each state has sovereignty in some areas. • The U.S. is an example.
Confederacy • A confederacy is a loose union of independent states. • The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), formerly known as the Soviet Union.
Constitution • A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. • 3 major purposes: • sets out ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe in and share; • it establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government’s powers and duties; and • it is the supreme law for the country.
3 Major Types of Government • 1) Autocracy- Any system of gov’t in which the power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual • Oldest and most common form of government Types of autocracies: • Totalitarian (Hitler/ Napoleon) • Monarch (King/ Queen)
3 Major Types of Government • 2) Oligarchy- Any system of government in which a small group holds the power • Derives power from wealth, military power, social positions, religion, or a combo of them all. • Example: Communist countries today
3 Major Types of Government • 3) Democracy- System of government in which rule is by the people • Key Idea: People hold sovereign power
Two Types of Democracies • Direct Democracy- people govern themselves by voting on issues individually as citizens
Two Types of Democracies 2) Indirect/Representative Democracy- people elect representatives and give them the power
Democracy Cont. • Republic- voters are the source of the government’s authority (requires citizen participation) • Founding fathers wanted a republic because it would promote citizen participation • Not every democracy around the world is a republic, i.e. Great Britain
Advantages and Disadvantages • Unitary govt (autocracy, monarchy, theocracy, dictatorship): • Stable, quick acting, unifying, decisive; loyal subjects, clear line of succession, maintains order, efficient • Too complicated for one person, ruler might be corrupt or inept, people have no power, can lead to abuse, limited rights, uncertain transfer of power, power struggles • Oligarchy: • Experts take care of things while people live their lives, centralized power, less risk involved • Those in power usually get wealthy (hold most wealth), less change less diversity, hinders experimentation, can lead to resentment and rebellion
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES • Confederation: • Strong states, less chance of tyranny, sovereignty • Weak & ineffective in times of crisis, cannot tax (raise revenue for funding), power struggles among states and between states & federal level, doesn’t usually last long • Democracy • Individual rights protected, rule by the people, parties must make sure people are happy to be reelected, promotes equality, stable, creates good citizens, little risk of revolution, promotes change • Possible misuse of funds/time, potential corruption, public servants might be unqualified (majority rule), some don’t vote, quantity over quality, can be inefficient
Advantages/disadvantages • Federal system advantages • Structure diffuses power • Protection against tyranny • Efficient • Encourages participation, innovation and cooperation • Responsive to the people • Federal system disadvantages • Majority rule over minority rights • Stupid laws can be passed • Fighting between levels of govt. • Oppostion/competition • Uncertainty, inefficient • Can benefit the wealthy