Chapter 1: People & GovernmentSection 1: Principles of Government

Aristotle is often considered the first student of political science for asking two key questions regarding government:

1. What is the proper function of government? 2. Where or why did government originate?

The State: a political community that occupies a definite territory & has an organized govt. with the power to make and enforce laws without any higher authority. Examples?A nation: any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, & sometimes religion. Examples?

AristotleἈριστοτέλης

Essential Features of a StatePopulation

Territory

Sovereignty

Government

Theories of the Origin of the State

• Evolutionary Theory: “Father Abraham”

• Force Theory: “might makes right”

• Divine Right Theory: “l’ etat ce moi.”

• Social Contract Theory: philosophical approach pioneered by Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan & John Locke in Two Treatises in Government.

Section 2: The Formation of Government

Government SystemsUnitary system: gives all key powers to the

national or central government. Exp: FranceFederal System: divides powers of

government between national & state or provincial governments. Exp: U.S.A.

Confederacy: loose union of independent states. Exp: United Arab Emirates

Section 2: The Formation of GovernmentConstitutions & GovernmentConstitution is a plan that provides the rules for government.1. sets ideals that people are bound by the constitution believe in and share.2. establishes basic structure of government & defines government’s powers & duties3. provides supreme law for a country

Constitutional government: a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern.

WHO GOVERNS?Autocracy: single ruler (power by force or inheritance)

Absolute/totalitarian dictatorship: tries to control all aspects of life (Hitler’s Germany)Monarchy: inherited power (kings and queens)

Oligarchy: small group (power by wealth, force, social position, religion)

Communist countries (China, North Korea)

Democracy: the peopleDirect: people actually vote on issuesRepresentative: people elect reps to decide issues

Section 3: Types of Governments

What is the basic role of an economic system?

3 basic questions:What and how much should be produced?

How should goods and services be produced?

Who gets the goods and services that are produced?

Section 4: Economic Theories

Explain the origin and function of capitalismOrigin

Developed over time in EuropeTrade routes opened to Asia in 1200s

People invested money to make profits--became the wealthy middle class

– Belief in free market (buyers/sellers free to make economic decisions in the marketplace)

Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776)Laissez-faire: gov’t should keep its hands off the economy

               

Explain the origin and function of capitalismFunction

Answer to 3 basic questions?The market/supply and demand

CharacteristicsPrivate ownership/control of property

Free enterprise

Competition among businesses

Freedom of choice

Possibility of profits

How does capitalism work in the U.S.?Free Enterprise in the U.S.

No market is truly freeGov’t regulates trade, owns property, runs services, etc.

Governmental InfluenceUS gov’t is #1 consumerGov’t regulates product safety, working conditions, environmental issues, banking, etc.Gov’t provides social services

Mixed-Market EconomyEconomy in which free enterprise is combined w/ and supported by gov’t decisions in the marketplaceCapitalism is viewed as central to democracy

Explain the origin and function of socialism

1800s: industrialization in Europe accented differences between rich and poorAnswer to 3 basic questions?

Government controls basic means of production while allowing some elements of free market

Main goals of socialismEqual distribution of wealth and economic opportunitySociety’s control of major production decisionsPublic ownership of land, factories, etc.

Democratic Socialism: people have rights and control of gov’t--gov’t controls economy (GB)

Explain the origin and function of communismOrigin

Karl Marx: German socialist revolutionary

The Communist Manifesto & Das Kapital

Capitalists/bourgeoisie/owners “enslave” workers/proletariat

Owners and workers in constant struggle--fewer and fewer people own wealth--violent uprising of workers leads to revolution and socialism

Eventually communism (one class, property held in common, no government)

“The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. Working men of all countries unite!”

Explain the origin and function of communism

FunctionAnswer to 3 basic questions?

Gov’t makes all decisions (command economy)

Government making all decisions about money means government basically makes all decisions

Inherently un-democratic

No successful communist countries--typically corruption prevents a decent standard of living