Origins of Government Target: I can explain some of the basic theories on why mankind developed government

Origins of Government

Target: I can explain some of the basic theories on why mankind developed government.

Notes Page Shared in Google Drive with you

• Shared With Me, Government Files, Origins Folder, Worksheets/Handouts

• Or search for “Origins of Government Orgainzer”

Theories on Government

• Force Theory believes that one person or group gains control of an area with force, making everyone submit to their power


• Force Theory believes that one person or group gains control of an area with force, making everyone submit to their power– - 2 Samuel 3:1 “The war between the house of

Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.”


• Evolutionary Theory believes that government evolved out of the family


• Evolutionary Theory believes that government evolved out of the family– Power moved from within one family to groups

of families (clans) and continued to grow


• Evolutionary Theory believes that government evolved out of the family– Power moved from within one family to groups

of families (clans) and continued to grow

- Ephesians 5:23 “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which He is the Savior.”


• The Divine Right Theory believes that God had placed those of royal birth in positions of authority


• The Divine Right Theory believes that God had placed those of royal birth in positions of authority– The people are to obey their ruler as they would

God


• The Divine Right Theory believes that God had placed those of royal birth in positions of authority– The people are to obey their ruler as they would

God

- 2 Samuel 5:2 “…and the Lord said to you (David), ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’ ”


• The Social Contract Theory believes that the state arises out of the people feeling the need for protection– The state exists to serve the people


• The Social Contract Theory believes that the state arises out of the people feeling the need for protection– The state exists to serve the people– The people are the sole source of power


• The Social Contract Theory believes that the state arises out of the people feeling the need for protection– The state exists to serve the people– The people are the sole source of power– Jean-Jacques Rousseau believed that you must

give up some of your rights for the greater good, while protecting the rights of the minority


• In Judges Chapter 2, the Israelites walked away from the Lord and He turned them over to raiders and plunderers. Then the Lord raised up Judges who saved them, but they would eventually return to corruption “they refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways (Judges 2:19).” The Israelites were unwilling to give up some of their desires for the protection of the government (judges).

Forms of Government

• Unitary Government- power rests in one central agency or office (Parliament in England)

Forms of Government

• Unitary Government- power rests in one central agency or office (Parliament in England)

• Federal Government- power is divided between one central government and several local governments (US, Australia, Canada, Mexico)

Forms of Government

• Confederate Government- alliance of independent states (US under the Articles of Confederation)

Forms of Government in Practice

• Presidential Government- separation of powers between executive and legislative branches


• Parliamentary Government- executive branch is made up of prime minister and cabinet

Parliament


• Parliamentary Government- executive branch is made up of prime minister and cabinet– The cabinet is actually in the legislative branch


• Parliamentary Government- executive branch is made up of prime minister and cabinet– The cabinet is actually in the legislative branch– The cabinet is selected by the PM, but approved

by parliament



by parliament– Parliament selects the PM



by parliament– Parliament selects the PM– If PM does not have support of parliament, then

he is replaced (this cuts down on deadlock)

Forms of Democracy

• Direct Democracy- will of the people is made into law by the people themselves

Forms of Democracy

• Direct Democracy- will of the people is made into law by the people themselves– Everyone votes on everything

Forms of Democracy

• Direct Democracy- will of the people is made into law by the people themselves– Everyone votes on everything

• Representative democracy- small group of persons is selected to represent the people in the showing of their will

Foundations of Democracy

• Fundamental worth of the individual



• Equality of all persons




• Majority Rule with protection of the minority





• Necessity of compromise






• Individual Freedom






• Individual Freedom– absolute freedom can only exist in anarchy

(absence of gov’t)


• Aren’t these all significant parts of Christianity???

Foundations of Democracy• Fundamental worth of the individual

– God desires a personal relationship with everyone

• Equality of all persons- God is the creator of all humans, and values every one

• Majority Rule with protection of the minority- God loves and protects even those who have not accepted him yet

• Necessity of compromise- Jesus…he was sent do die for our sins because we cannot

do it on our own

• Individual Freedom- Free will, free to make the choice to follow Christ

James Madison, The Federalist Papers

“If men were angels, there would be no need for government”

See Genesis Chapter 3 if confused

Blog @ theBigL

• Due Tomorrow

• Does the American form of democracy

• fit in with Christianity?

• What theory of government development do you feel is most likely the root of government?

Documents

Origins of Government Target: I can explain some of the basic theories on why mankind developed government