The Study of Government

1. The Study of Government • Aristotle was one of the first to study government. • It was from Greece and Rome that we get many government terms - i.e. Politic, democracy, republic

2. The State • The term state and country mean the same thing • State: a political community that occupies a defined territory, has an organized gov't that makes and enforce laws free from any higher authority • State, what does it mean to you?

3. The State Why do we think of states the way we do? The 13 original colonies, when separating from Britain, considered themselves individual countries The term United States means “united countries” Remains a term for political units in the U.S.

4. The State • Nation: any sizable group of people that are united by common bonds -I.E. race, language, custom, religion etc. • Usually the boundaries of a nation are the same as a state/country -This is where we get the reference of the nation-state • Nations exists with in the boundaries of a state/country - i.e. Palestine, French speaking Canadians, Native Americans, areas in African, etc

5. Features of the State There are four elements that a state consists of: - population, territory, sovereignty, and government

6. Population The basic element of the state: the group that inhabit an area Stable populations have a consensus / general beliefs

7. Territory The area inside the est. boundaries of a state This can result in diplomatic tensions or war A state's boundaries can change over time

8. Sovereignty A key characteristic of a state A state has absolute authority within its territorial boundaries - make laws, shape foreign policy, etc. In theory, no sovereign state can tell another what to do In practice, economically and militarily stronger nations have more power

9. Government Every state has some type of government Institution that maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces the polices that people are to live by

10. Origins of the State Where did the idea of the state or government come from? - There are many theories, but no clear answer.

11. The Theories There are four main theories we will look at… 1. Evolutionary Theory 2. Force Theory 3. Divine Right Theory 4. Social Contract Theory

12. Evolutionary Theory Believe the state emerged from the family The family head acted as its govt - Could be hundreds of people w/t extended family Based on the Bible’s Old Testament, referring to Abraham’s family

13. Force Theory Early civilizations people built walled cities and leaders had soldiers who fought wars Force theory says gov’t emerged when one person/ group took control by use of power

14. Divine Right Theory Idea that the gods chose the rulers: Divine Right 1400’s, monarchs said their right to rule came from God People thought God made the state and rulers Subjects did not oppose because it would be treason and sin

15. Social Contract Theory In the 1600’s the idea of divine right was questioned Hobbes, an English philosopher, thought that the state was a social contract Social contract means by agreement, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order In turn, the state protects the citizens and the agreement cannot be broken

16. Social Contract Theory John Locke, another English philosopher, went further with social contract He felt men were naturally endowed with the right to life, liberty and property (natural rights) To preserve their rights that contract power to the gov’t, who protects them Locke said if the gov’t didn’t protect them, or infringed on them, citizens could break the agreement About a century later, the American colonies embraced the idea of natural rights and broke from England and King George III

17. Social Contract Theory

18. Purpose of Government 1. Maintain social order 2. Provide public services 3. Provide national security / common defense 4. Help regulate the economic system

19. Purposes of Government Gov’ts gain power through two means, legitimate or coercive Power given through consent of the people and citizens willing to obey the gov’t Coercive force is used in the second method to gain power - use police, judicial system, military, fines, or imprisonment to make people obey

20. Maintaining Social Order Based on social contract, govt is needed to for stability Conflict is part of living in groups, and the govt provides methods to resolve / prevent Government makes laws, enforcement, and est. courts Conflict is restricted because govt limits what people can do (law and order)

22. Providing Public Services Gov’t provides services individuals cannot do - I.E. Build / maintain roads, sewers Gov’t promotes public safety and health - I.E. Food quality standards, health codes, driver's test

23. National Security • Gov’t is to protect its people against attack • This has become increasingly difficult • - nukes, satellites, terrorism • Govt handles relations with other states • - treaties, trade agreements, informal relations

24. Economic Decisions • Countries vary in the economic opportunities they can provide • No state can provide every desire or need • Material scarcity and economic gap are main sources of conflict • Gov'ts try and reduce these causes to prevent civil unrest • Gov'ts also intervene in other nation's economic affairs - provide aid, embargoes • Gov'ts pass laws regulating econ environment - provide a currency, distribute benefits/subsidies, tax breaks • Gov'ts goals, stimulate growth, control inflation, promote trade, and regulate uses of natural resources

26. Forming Government • Gov’ts of each nation are unique based on the country’s development • Gov’ts can be organized in various ways • Large countries have multiple levels to government • IE: National, State, City, Town, etc.

27. Government Systems • The basic ways national governments interact with lower levels • Unitary System • Federal System • Confederacy

28. Unitary System • All major powers belong to the central gov’t • Multiple levels can exist but are created by central gov’t • Lower levels have limited power • IE: Britain, France, Italy

29. Confederacy • political union: an alliance of people, states, or parties for a common purpose • Has a weak federal gov’t and strong state govts - 13 Colonies, Confederate States of American

30. Federal System • Powers are divided between gov’t levels • Each level has sovereignty in some area • U.S. developed this system with 13 colonies after confederate failed

31. Constitutions • A plan for gov’t that serves several functions • Sets forth ideals that citizens share and believe • Establishes gov’t structure and defines gov’ts powers and duties • Provides the supreme law of the land

32. Constitutions • Can be written or unwritten • U.S. has oldest written constitution • All gov’ts have a constitution or plan for their gov’t • A constitutional gov’t is one that clear limits are set on the gov’ts powers (Limited Gov’t) • If a nation has a constitution, it does not mean they’re constitutional gov’ts

33. Constitutions • They are incomplete guides • Can’t include every single law or custom • Not all gov’ts follow the rules set forth by their constitution • IE: China

34. Constitutions • A statement of the goals the gov’t should strive for • These goals are called the preamble

35. U.S. Preamble “We the people of the United States, In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Preamble to the Constitution, 1787

36. Constitutions • The framework of gov’t • Sets up parts of gov’t • Describes relationship between gov’t levels • Sets rules for amending • Highest law in the land • The interpretation and application of the Constitution is known as constitutional law

37. Politics and Government • Politics is the effort to influence and control gov’t • People take part in politics because they know it can influence their life • People make demands on gov’t through groups and organizations • Politics provides a way to manage societal conflicts

38. Governing Today • The world is complex, thus so is gov’t • Major inequalities exist between states that are industrialized or developing • Nations are becoming more interdependent • Nations have economic, political, and social ties

39. Governing Today • Organizations like the E.U., N.A.F.T.A., and the U.N. link nations together • Non-state international groups as well • Political movements (PLO), Multi-national corporations (BP), International organizations

40. Types of Governments • Governments generally fall into one of three classification. 1. Autocracy 2. Oligarchy 3. Democracy

41. Autocracy • In an autocracy power of rule are in the hands of an individual. • Totalitarian dictatorship and absolute monarchs are some examples. • In a dictatorship an individual and their group rule. • A monarchy has a king, queen, or emperor rule.

42. Oligarchy • Oligarchy refers to any government where a small group holds power. • The groups power comes from wealth, military power, social or religious position.

43. Democracy • Democracy is any gov't where rule is by the people. -Direct democracy, people vote directly on issues. -Representative democracy, people elect representatives to make decisions. • A republic fits under democracy, and voters hold sovereign power.

44. Characteristics of Democracy • Individual liberty exists, so individuals have equal opportunity to pursue their talents. • Majority rule prompts government action while minority rights are still protected. • Free elections, one person one vote, and free expression of views. • Political Parties are present and are groups that have common interest, and promote candidates

45. Democracy • Democracy can be hard to maintain, and general contains five elements. • Citizen participation is key. Citizens need to be willing take part in civic life. • A strong economy with a strong middle class, and more economic autonomy(free enterprise), is important. • Having an educated public. • Strong civil society, where a variety of groups can access gov't to share views / opinions. • A social consensus, where people adherer to similar values, allows for democracy to occur.

46. Economics • Economics: the study of human efforts to satisfy needs and wants through limited resources • Employment, wages, taxes, spending, production, and distribution are important concepts • Resources: natural resources land, minerals, water; human factors- skill, knowledge, etc.

47. The Role of Economic • Gov’ts around the world operate in different economic systems, but all make three major choices: 1. What and how much should be produced? 2. How goods and services should be produced? 3. Who gets these goods and services? • Each major system answers them differently

48. Capitalism • At one end of the economic spectrum • Freedom of choices, individual incentives for workers, investors, consumers,& encourages enterprise • Gov’t allows free individual choice to guide economic production/decisions (free market) • True Capitalism’s five elements 1. Private ownership of property and resources 2. Free enterprise 3. Business competition 4. Freedom of choice 5. possibility of profit

49. Capitalism • Adam Smith in 1776, wrote The Wealth of Nations, applied idea of laissez-faire • Laissez- faire means let alone, hands off • Gov’t should create an environment for free market, otherwise, stay out of economy

50. Capitalism • No nation is purely capitalist • U.S. leading example of a capitalist nation & gov’t has a role • Gov’ts role has increased- largest consumer of goods, regulations on food/drug production, labor management, regulations on pollution and banking • Gov’t also provides social security, welfare, unemployment, etc. • Considered a mixed-economy where gov’t makes economic decisions but free and fair public interest remains