Intro to Government:

Purpose?

Unit 1Basic Concepts

Journal topic #2Name:Date:Copy question:

What role should government play in our lives? What role should

we play in government?

What does this mean?

“A Nation of Sheep will begat a government of Wolves.”

- Edward R. Murrow

What is Civics?

• Civics:

• The branch of political science that deals with the rights and duties of citizens.

What is a Citizen?

A person owing loyalty to and protection from a state or nation.

What is Civics?

Civic Responsibility:

Active citizenship for the betterment of the community through economic, political, and social participation.

“To be a good citizen of this country one must have knowledge of and be

active in politics.” - Pres. T. Roosevelt

“Duties of an American Citizen” 1883

“Democracy only works with political participation”

To exercise your rights, you have to be AWARE of them

What is the law? What are YOUR legal rights?

Respect for law is crucial. Why?

Definition of Government Government:

The legitimate use of force to control human behavior.

What is the appropriate amount of force to control a classroom, city, state, nation?

SLC man killed by police when attacks police officer with a shovel

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=33042457

What happened in Ferguson, MO?

Basic Forms of Government Autocracy: “auto” means “self” “cracy” means “govern”

One “self appointed” person holds all of the power. (aka: Tyranny)

– Leader glorified– Government controls all aspects of social and economic life

Basic Forms of Government Autocracy: SINGLE PERSON holds power

Dictatorships: One individual holds absolute power and exercises that power unjustly. Usually obtains power by force.

Despotism: Ruled by a single leader who has unlimited control. Imposes rule using violence (usually a dictator). Claims to have been appointed by God.

Examples of autocracy?

Can you think of others?

Forms of Government Oligarchy:

“Oli” means “few” “garchy” means “govern”

Power is held by a small group of people who share the same social position, wealth, monetary and political interest, or military power.

“Power by the few”

Forms of GovernmentOligarchy: SMALL GROUP hold power.

Aristocracy: Royal Families (England)

Theocracy: Rule by religion (Iran)

Plutocracy: Power by the wealthy

Is the United States a plutocracy? Evidence?

Stop and review… What’s the basic difference between an

autocracy and an oligarchy?

Do the following people represent an autocracy or oligarchy?

Autocracy or oligarchy?

Fidel Castro

China

Forms of Government Anarchies:

“An” means “without”

“archy” means govern/ruler

Lack of government or central power of control.

Would you want this?

Forms of Government Democracies: “Demo” means “the common people” “cracy” means “govern”

Power held by the many; power shared by everyone in the population.

Everyone gets an equal say…everyone gets to vote on every question.

Should we do homework tonight? Autocracy (WHITLOCK SAYS “YES!”), Democracy…?

Forms of GovernmentExample: the ancient Greek Assembly

Is the United States a democracy?

Nope…not a democracy… The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase:

"and to the republic for which it stands."

Republic (Representative Democracy):

People choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf.

Intention of Founding Fathers

Why does government exist? The Four major purposes of government:

Maintain Order

Provide for the General Welfare

Promote Domestic Tranquility

Provide for a Common Defense

Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order

Order: preserving life and protecting property.

Laws

Enforcing those laws

Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order

Social Order: Enforcing the established patterns of authority, that is, what is the standard for that community?

Examples: liquor laws

Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order

What other examples of social order can be found in our country, state, city, school?

Dilemma of Government The original dilemma of government involved

freedom versus order.

How much freedom are people willing to give up to achieve complete safety?

The modern dilemma of government involves freedom versus equality.

Should government act to promote equal access for women and African Americans to high-paying jobs, even though this restricts the freedom of their employers?

2002

Civil Rights vs. Civil LibertiesCivil Rights

The right of every person to equal protection under the law and equal access to society’s opportunities and public facilities.

Ex. Segregation

Civil Liberties Individual rights that are protected from a violation by the

government. Ex. First Amendment / Bill of Rights

Public opinion dictates the extend of civil liberties and rights.

Varies from generation to generation

Frontline: Are we safer?

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/are-we-safer/

Here at home? Utah Data Center (also known as,

Intelligence Community Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative Data Center)

Liberty Security Privacy

From: http://nsa.gov1.info/utah-data-center/

Purpose of Government #2: Providing For the General Welfare Public Goods:

Benefits and services for all citizens Parks, Roads, Water, Education, Sanitation, Power,

etc.

Purpose of Government #3: Promote Domestic Tranquility

Equality of opportunity: Each person has the same chance to succeed.

Some believe that the best will naturally rise to the top.

Examples:

The Civil Rights Act (1964) Title IV (1972) Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

Equality of opportunity

Provides in a sense that all start the race of life at the same time.

Purpose of Government #3: Promote Domestic Tranquility

Equality of outcome: Government policies should promote economic and social equality.

Improve quality of life for all.

Examples: the U.S. welfare system Social Security

Equality of outcome

Attempts to ensure that everyone finishes at the same time.

What is the basic purpose of government?

* to equalize opportunity so that those with natural strengths will rise to the top?

OR

*provide assistance for those less advantaged to improve quality of life for all.

Equality Cont… Political Equality:

All citizens have one vote and only one vote.

Social Equality: Citizens have the same status and rights to

wealth, education and status.

Example: marital status

Purpose of Government #4: Provide for a Common Defense National Defense Military Protecting the nation’s borders and

interests

United States as a ‘nation-state’ What does this mean?

State

A legal/political entity Comprised of:

a) a permanent population;

b) a defined territory;

c) a government ; and

d) the capacity to enter into relations with other states

States have sovereignty

Each government has right to govern its people as it wishes, without interference from other nations.

Nation:

Socio-cultural entity

A union of people who share a common culture and language.

U.S. as Nation-State Mix of both

Single or multiple nationalities joined together in a formal political union.

Determines an official language(s), a system of law, manages a currency system, uses a bureaucracy to order elements of society, identifies with abstract entities like “The United States.”

Ethnicity in the U.S.

2000 Census

Top 5 Largest Ancestral Groups in U.S.: #5: English #4: Mexican #3: Irish #2: African Americans #1: Germans