Unit II

Foundations of Government

Government

• the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

• Public policies=laws

The 4 characteristics of a state

Population Territory

Government Sovereignty

State can be defined as:

a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically

(under a government), and having the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher

authority.

Confederate Government

• Alliance of independent states

• Central govt. operates with consent of members

• Main goal is cooperation

• Examples:– The South-Confederacy

(Civil War)

– C.I.S.-Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet Union)

Unitary Government

• Centralized government

• All powers held by central government

• Most governments of the world practice this

• Examples:– All 50 states– Great Britain

Federal Government (federalism)

• Powers of govt. are divided between a central government and local governments

• Examples:– United States– Canada

Presidential Government

• Separate executive & legislative branch

• Branches are independent, but work together

• President and legislature are chosen separately

• Each branch can “check” the other

Parliamentary Government

• Executive is a Prime Minister or Premier & his cabinet

• Executive is ALSO a member of the legislature

• Executive is leader of the majority party

• Most nations practice this government

Dictatorship

• Rulers are NOT responsible to the will of the people.

• Authoritarian-authority over the people

• Totalitarian-power over ALL aspects of life

Democracy

• Political authority rests with the people

• “government of the people, by the people, for the people…”

• Republic-government in which people’s voice is represented through elected officials

American System of Government

• Various Parts (of Political Ideologies)– Ancient Civilizations

• Greece-direct democracy– All citizens vote on every issue

• Rome-representative democracy– Officials elected by citizens

American System of Government

• Various Parts (of Political Ideologies)– Enlightenment-scientific revolution

• John Locke– Natural rights of citizens

– Govt. protects life, liberty, property

– Freedom of religion

– Against slavery

– Citizens should rebel if govt. is too powerful

– System of checks and balances

American System of Government

• Various Parts (of Political Ideologies)– Enlightenment-scientific revolution

• Baron de Montesquieu– 3 equal branches of government

• Jean Jacques Rousseau– “all men are free and equal”

– Separation of church & state

American System of Government

• Various Parts (of Political Ideologies)– English Tradition

• Magna Carta-trial by jury & due process of law• Petition of Rights, 1628

– Limited power of government– No sheltering of troops

• English Bill of Rights– Fair & speedy trial, no excessive bail, no cruel or

unusual punishment

American System of Government

• “Madness”– Independence

• never done before in the history of the world• Declaration of Independence-letter to king

stating grievances

American System of Government

• “Experiment”– Jefferson & Madison

• Studied philosophers• Wanted to put theories to the test

• “Brought to Life by an Improbable Act”– Military defeat of English superpower