What is Government?

• Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces it’s public policies.

Public Policies• Are the things that government decides to

do. Examples are (taxation, defense, education, crime, and healthcare.)

Three Basic kinds of power

• Legislative Power- the power to make law.

• Executive Power- the power to execute, enforce, and administer law.

• Judicial Power- the power to interpret law.

Dictatorship

• Is when the ultimate power and responsibility resides within a single person or a small group.

Democracy

• The supreme authority rests within the people.

State

• Can be defined as a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically and has the power to make and enforce laws.

Sovereignty

• Every state has supreme and absolute power within its own territory and can decide its own foreign and domestic policies.

Autocracy

• Is a government in which a single person holds unlimited power to rule

Oligarchy• Is a government which the power to rule is held by

a small, usually self-appointed elite.

Unitary Government • Is often described as a centralized government.

Federal Government (Parliamentary)• Is one in which the powers of government are

divided between a central government and several local governments

The Purpose of Government

1. Form A More Perfect Union

2. Establish Justice

3. Insure Domestic Tranquility

4. Provide For The Common Defense

5. Promote The General Welfare

6. Secure The Blessings Of Liberty