August 27 th , 2013

1. August 27th, 2013 Tuesday

2. Kickoff Questions • A loose union of independent states refers to what term? • What is a constitution? • What is a preamble? • The effort to control or influence the conduct or policies of government is called what? • Is the US considered a developing nation or an industrialized nation?

3. Answers • Confederacy • A plan that provides the rules for government • A statement that sets forth the goals and purpose for the government • Politics • Industrialized

4. August 27thin History

5. Government Systems • Unitary • Gives all key powers to the national or central government • Does not mean that only one level of government exists • State and local governments can exist but with limited power • Federal • Powers are divided between the national and state governments • Each level has some political sovereignty

6. Government Systems cont… • The US started as a confederacy, a loose union of independent states • The confederacy failed to create a effective national government so the Constitution was made to make the national government supreme while still preserving some states rights

7. Constitutions and Government • Constitution– a plan that provides the rules for governments • Three major purposes of a constitution • Sets out ideas that the people believe in and share • Establishes the basic structure of government and defines the powers and duties • It provides the supreme law for the country

8. Constitutions and Government cont… • Constitutional government– a government in which a constitution has authority to place limits on government power • Written constitutions does not • Spell out all laws, customs, and ideas (FDR elections) • Always reflect the actual practices of a government (spy laws)

9. Constitutions and Government cont… • Preamble– a statement that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by government (US preamble page 14) • Constitutions often include • Relationship between national and state governments • Procedure for amending or changing the constitution

10. Constitutions and Governments cont… • Constitutional Law– defines limits of government power and rights of citizens

11. Politics and Government • Politics– the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government • Through politics conflicts are managed

12. More terms to know • Interdependence– nations depend on one another; decisions made in one area might effect rest of world (NAFTA) • Industrialized nations– countries with large industries and advanced technology • Developing nations– countries only beginning to develop industry and technology; struggle with poverty and disease

13. Activity • Work with a partner and create a list of ways you can get involved politically • Circle any that you yourself have done

14. Overtime • What is a unitary system? • What kind of government divides powers between national government and state government? • What is Constitutional Law? • What is the term used for nations depending on one another? • Does an industrialized or developing nation struggle with disease and poverty?