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Understanding Government: Definitions, Functions, and Forms of Authority

This chapter delves into the essence of government, examining its definition as a ruling authority that maintains order, enforces laws, and provides protection to citizens. It highlights the essential components of government, including power, population, and territory, as well as the necessity of government for preventing chaos and promoting the common good. The text also explores various forms of government, including republics, democracies, monarchies, and dictatorships, illustrating the diverse ways in which societies are organized and governed.

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Understanding Government: Definitions, Functions, and Forms of Authority

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Introduction to Government Chapter One: “We the People”

  2. What is government? • Definition: a person or a group who rule (or have control) over the people who live in a particular area • Ruling includes the following things: • Settling conflicts among the people • Making rules, or “laws” that everyone must obey • Using force, if necessary, to make people obey the laws and to make people accept the ways conflicts are settled

  3. What is government? • All governments must have the following things: • The power to rule • This is also known as sovereignty • There must be people to rule – or, a population • The people are sometimes known as “subjects” or “citizens”. • Citizens are united by common customs or beliefs and language • The government must have land to rule – or, territory. • Territory is defined by borders or boundaries • In short – a government must have power, people and land

  4. Why do we need government? • To maintain order! • Prevent chaos! • Create a chain of command! • Protect citizens! • Promote good!

  5. What does a government do? • Provide protection – there are people who are not necessarily good • Governments protect their citizens from both internal (our own people) and external (other countries) forces • Government helps us to achieve balance and harmony • Conflicts happen, but they need to be settled in a peaceful, fair manner • Making laws, creating courts

  6. What does a government do? • Government can increase liberty • As strange as it sounds, freedom can be increased by having rules • Once people are protected by rules, they can go on with their lives • Government promotes teamwork • They can avoid unnecessary problems (using stop lights, driving on one side of the road)

  7. What does a government do? • Government supplies services that help everyone • A government will use taxes to fund fire and police departments, health care, etc… • Governments promote the common good and well-being of all citizens.

  8. Different forms of Government - Republic • Not all governments are the same • Republic • Members of a republic’s government must be drawn from or elected by the people • A republic must justify its activities and laws through the approval of the people • (Optional) Both the government and the people believe in a “higher law”. • Example: The Constitution of the United States = the Supreme Law of the Land

  9. Different Forms of Government – Absolute Government • Absolute Government = the opposite of free republican governments • No requirements of a republic are met • There is no justification of laws, policies • The leaders are not elected • There is no “higher law”

  10. Different Forms of Government • Aristocracy – members of the government are chosen from a small part of the population • Rules, laws are justified only to the small population • Democratic Republic – all adult citizens have the opportunity to elect members of the government • Rules, laws are justified to everyone

  11. Different Forms of Government • Direct Democracy = citizens directly affect changes in the government – they are members of the government • Think small board meetings, group projects • Representative Democracy = citizens elect representatives to lead the government

  12. Different Forms of Government • Totalitarian government = ruled by single political group that has total control over the citizens • Remember: they have TOTAL control over the government • They do not meet the characteristics of a “republic” • The constitutions are not necessarily followed, there are no real choices for candidates • Anarchy = no government control at all

  13. Different Forms of Government • Absolute Monarchy = one person rules. • King, queen, emperor becomes the head of the government. • If they die, the next relative gets the power • There are very few countries that still have an “absolute monarch” • Constitutional Monarchy = A king, queen or emperor is the ceremonial head of the government, but does not have much power

  14. Different Forms of Government • Dictatorship = a single person takes control of a government. • Their word is law • They are responsible to no one else

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