Upload
theodore-hancock
View
212
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Today’s Objectives List 2 basic questions to be asked about
American government. Establish definitions for power and related
terms. Distinguish between the 3 types of
governments. Distinguish between the 3 types of
democracies.
The Social Contract Theory*Two different explanations
Thomas Hobbes - In a “state of nature” no government existed. Without an authority to protect one person from another, life was “cruel, brutal, and short.” By contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order. The state, in turn, agreed to protect its citizens. The people do not have the right to break this agreement. Meaning?
Social Contract Theory Explanation #2
John Locke - people are naturally endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and property. To preserve their rights, they willingly contracted to give power to a governing authority. When government fails to preserve the rights of the people, the people could justly break the contract.
Meaning?
To What Ends? This question tells us how government
affects our lives. Do governments always affect our
private lives? Do governments make a substantial
difference in our daily lives? In what ways?
Power, Authority, & LegitimacyPower: The ability of one person to get another
person to act in accordance with first person intentions.
Can be both subtle and evident. What is meant by this?
Authority: The right to use power.When do we accept decisions without question?
Legitimacy: Formal authority conferred by law.
What confers legitimacy in the minds of Americans?
Nations Card Assignment Pull elbow partners together into pairs. For your set of cards, classify each nation
as one of the following: Undemocratic Somewhat democratic Strongly democratic
Be able to defend your label as we discuss.
Quick Write Outline at least one pro and one con for
each of these types of democracies. Explain which form of democracy is best
at each level & why you came to that conclusion: County State Federal