Unit 1Chapter 1-Principles of Government

What is Government? Institution through which a society

makes and enforces its public policies and laws

“Man is by nature a political animal-Aristotle

Public Policies: All things government decides to do Taxation, defense, education, crime, health care, working conditions etc.

Kinds of Power Legislative

Power to make law and frame public policies

Executive Power to execute, enforce, and administer law

Judicial Power to interpret laws

Powers may be held by a single person or small group and majority of people

Powers are outlined in a country’s constitution

The State

What is a state?

Body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority

More than 190 states in the world

Characteristics of a State

Four Characteristics: Population: must have people Territory: Must have land with

recognized boundaries Sovereignty: Has supreme and

absolute power within its own territory

Government: Every state has a Government

Theories on Gov’t Development

1-Force military

2-Evolutionary Starts with family—clan---tribe

3-Divine Right “god given” right to rule

4-Social Contract John Locke

What does Gov’t do for us?

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” -Preamble to the Constitution

What does Gov’t do for us? 6 Functions 1) Perfect Union: union=strength 2) Establish Justice: law must be reasonable,

fair and impartial “equal justice for all”

3) Domestic Tranquility: need order, need Gov’t 4) Common Defense: must protect and defend

our nation 5) Promote General Welfare: Benefit the citizens 6) Secure the Blessings of Liberty “You can only be free if I am free”--Darrow

Forms of Government

No two governments are alike Various ways to classify

Governments1. Who can participate in governing

process2. Geographic distribution of power3. Relationship between lawmaking and

executive

Forms of Government Cont.Who can participate?

Democracy Political authority rests

with people “Government of the

people, by the people, for the people” Lincoln

Direct Democracy will of people is

translated into law directly by the people (mass meetings)

Indirect/ Representative Democracy

Small group of people chosen by the people act as their representative and express the popular will

Forms of Government Cont.Who can participate?

Dictatorship Political authority rests

with one person or a small group

Oldest form of government

Very few admit they are a dictator

Autocracy Single person holds

unlimited power Oligarchy

Small group of people

Forms of Government Cont.Geographic Distribution

Unitary Government- centralized Gov’t Great Britain

Federal Government- powers divided between central and local governments United States

Confederate Government- alliance of independent states European Union, Colonies

Geographic Distribution

Unitary

Federal GovernmentFederal Government

Confederate GovernmentConfederate Government

Forms of Government Cont.Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches

Presidential (US) Separation of Powers Branches are independent Fixed Terms Powers are written in the Constitution

Parliamentary Executive is made up of prime minister & cabinet Parliament includes executive No terms No checks and balances Majority of world is parliamentary

Democracy is…..

Political Cartoon #1 Title: democracy

Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005

Political Cartoon #2 Title: Meaning of Democracy

Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005

Political Cartoon #3 Title: Democracy Shuttle

Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005

Characteristics of Democracy

DEMOCRACY

Majority

ruleGovt.

by and forthe people

Rights of the individual protected

Elected representatives carry out the people’s willFreedom

Everyone equal under the law

Democracy is ….

a system of government in which the people rule

either directly or through elected representatives

Direct Democracy

• A form of democracy inwhich the people as awhole make directdecisions, rather thanhaving those decisionsmade for them byelectedrepresentatives

Examples of Direct Democracy

referendum - the practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature

Should District 128 raise taxes?

Yes No

Examples of Direct Democracy

recall - A procedure whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office

Representative Democracy

• People elect individuals to represent their views at local, state and national levels

• Public Policies (laws) are made by officials who are selected by voters

• Held accountable by elections

American Concept of Democracy

•Importance of the Individual•Equality of all individuals•Majority Rule, Minority

Rights•Necessity of Compromise•Individual Freedom

Fortunate Sonrecorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)

Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no,

Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son.

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.

Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,And when you ask them, how much should we give,oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one,

It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,