Chapter 1Chapter 1

Principles of GovernmentPrinciples of Government

Chapter 1 Notes

US citizenship examUS citizenship exam

Are you sure you know what you think you know about our own government?

How has this exam changed the way you feel about our government?

Are you more open-minded to understanding better the government that is designed to serve you?

Are you sure you know what you think you know about our own government?

How has this exam changed the way you feel about our government?

Are you more open-minded to understanding better the government that is designed to serve you?

Chapter 1 Notes

IntroductionIntroduction

What is government? Why is government needed? How does it affect you personally? (Lord of the Flies clip) What would our country look like without

government? Who would protect, educate, provide

healthcare, solve environmental issues, control traffic, assist with natural disaster areas?

Who would regulate business and owners?

What is government? Why is government needed? How does it affect you personally? (Lord of the Flies clip) What would our country look like without

government? Who would protect, educate, provide

healthcare, solve environmental issues, control traffic, assist with natural disaster areas?

Who would regulate business and owners?

Chapter 1 Notes

Power and AuthorityPower and Authority

What is the difference? Power - involves the use of coercive force to make

others yield to one’s wishes even against their own will Authority - achieved by virtue of character that others

are motivated to follow willingly

In order for government to exist, they must have authority or power, which allows the ability to produce effects on others or potential to influence others

What is the difference? Power - involves the use of coercive force to make

others yield to one’s wishes even against their own will Authority - achieved by virtue of character that others

are motivated to follow willingly

In order for government to exist, they must have authority or power, which allows the ability to produce effects on others or potential to influence others

Chapter 1 Notes

VocabularyVocabulary

Government - institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies; includes those who have authority and control over people of society

Public policies - endless list of things government decides to do

Government - institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies; includes those who have authority and control over people of society

Public policies - endless list of things government decides to do

Chapter 1 Notes

Government has 3 powers: Legislative - make law / frame policies Executive - execute, enforce, administer law Judicial - interpret law / settle disputes

Constitution - body of fundamental laws setting out principles, structures, and procedures of a government

Politics - the process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within the society, including who benefits and deciding costs

Government has 3 powers: Legislative - make law / frame policies Executive - execute, enforce, administer law Judicial - interpret law / settle disputes

Constitution - body of fundamental laws setting out principles, structures, and procedures of a government

Politics - the process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within the society, including who benefits and deciding costs

Chapter 1 Notes

Territory termsTerritory terms

Territory - place that has recognized boundaries

State - legal entity; body of people(population) living in a (territory), organized politically (government) with power to make and enforce law without any consent (sovereign)

Nation - ethnic term; races or large groups of people

Country - geographic term; place, region, or area of land

Territory - place that has recognized boundaries

State - legal entity; body of people(population) living in a (territory), organized politically (government) with power to make and enforce law without any consent (sovereign)

Nation - ethnic term; races or large groups of people

Country - geographic term; place, region, or area of land

Chapter 1 Notes

Major political ideas(on how governments are formed)

Major political ideas(on how governments are formed)

Force theory - one or small group claim control and forced those within to submit to their rule

Evolutionary theory - develop naturally out of an early family, head then to a network of families, tied to the land, a state forms

Force theory - one or small group claim control and forced those within to submit to their rule

Evolutionary theory - develop naturally out of an early family, head then to a network of families, tied to the land, a state forms

Chapter 1 Notes

Divine theory - (15th to 18th century) God gave right to those of royal birth to rule people bound to obey ruler as they would God

Social Contract theory - state arises out of voluntary act of free people, state exists to serve will of the people, people are source of power and can give that power to whom they choose Major contributors include Hobbes, Locke,

Rousseau

Divine theory - (15th to 18th century) God gave right to those of royal birth to rule people bound to obey ruler as they would God

Social Contract theory - state arises out of voluntary act of free people, state exists to serve will of the people, people are source of power and can give that power to whom they choose Major contributors include Hobbes, Locke,

Rousseau

Chapter 1 Notes

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

“form a more perfect union” Took a couple of tries (rivalry, jealousy, power) 1787 - Constitution was meant to bind and strengthen

“establish justice” Concept that all law is reasonable, fair, impartial

“insure domestic tranquility” Order at home James Madison “if men were angels no government

would be necessary

“form a more perfect union” Took a couple of tries (rivalry, jealousy, power) 1787 - Constitution was meant to bind and strengthen

“establish justice” Concept that all law is reasonable, fair, impartial

“insure domestic tranquility” Order at home James Madison “if men were angels no government

would be necessary

Chapter 1 Notes

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

“provide a common defense” Foreign enemies, majority of document

(constitution) is about defense Defense / foreign policy - 2 sides of same coin

“promote general welfare” Promote your benefit or benefit of all Things private / individual can’t take care of

Education, environment, food, etc.

“provide a common defense” Foreign enemies, majority of document

(constitution) is about defense Defense / foreign policy - 2 sides of same coin

“promote general welfare” Promote your benefit or benefit of all Things private / individual can’t take care of

Education, environment, food, etc.

Chapter 1 Notes

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

Purpose of Government: (American Version)

“secure liberties” Thomas Jefferson “God gave us life and liberty

at the same time” Cannot separate freedom and reality of living

“secure liberties” Thomas Jefferson “God gave us life and liberty

at the same time” Cannot separate freedom and reality of living

Chapter 1 Notes

Forms of GovernmentForms of Government

Totalitarian - (dictator) one person or small group controls every aspect of society

Authoritarian - one person or small group only controls aspects of government

Aristocracy - rule by the best, which is wealthy Theocracy - rule by self-appointed religious

leader Oligarchy - rule by a few Democracy - rule by the people

Totalitarian - (dictator) one person or small group controls every aspect of society

Authoritarian - one person or small group only controls aspects of government

Aristocracy - rule by the best, which is wealthy Theocracy - rule by self-appointed religious

leader Oligarchy - rule by a few Democracy - rule by the people

Chapter 1 Notes

Classifying GovernmentsClassifying Governments

Democracy - supreme political authority rests with the people, government only conducted with consent of the people Direct (aka Pure) - will of people translated to law

directly by the people in mass meetings, ie: small communities

Indirect (aka Representative) - small group of people who are chosen by the masses to represent them and express popular will

Republic - sovereign power to those eligible to vote, political power exercised by representatives chosen and held responsible by citizens

Democracy - supreme political authority rests with the people, government only conducted with consent of the people Direct (aka Pure) - will of people translated to law

directly by the people in mass meetings, ie: small communities

Indirect (aka Representative) - small group of people who are chosen by the masses to represent them and express popular will

Republic - sovereign power to those eligible to vote, political power exercised by representatives chosen and held responsible by citizens

Chapter 1 Notes

Classifying GovernmentsClassifying Governments

Dictatorship - those who rule are not accountable to will of people, government is not accountable for policies or how they are carried out to the people, often militaristic Autocracy - one person has unlimited political

power Oligarchy - power is held by small group or

self-appointed elite

Dictatorship - those who rule are not accountable to will of people, government is not accountable for policies or how they are carried out to the people, often militaristic Autocracy - one person has unlimited political

power Oligarchy - power is held by small group or

self-appointed elite

Chapter 1 Notes

Classifying GovernmentsClassifying Governments

Unitary government - all powers held by single, central agency; create local agencies simply for convenience (no real power) Ie: Great Britain and parliament

Federal Government - powers are divided between a central government and several local governments; geographic basis for division Ie: United States

Confederation - alliance of independent states, central government only handles matters assigned to it (ie: trade or defense)

Unitary government - all powers held by single, central agency; create local agencies simply for convenience (no real power) Ie: Great Britain and parliament

Federal Government - powers are divided between a central government and several local governments; geographic basis for division Ie: United States

Confederation - alliance of independent states, central government only handles matters assigned to it (ie: trade or defense)

Chapter 1 Notes

Classifying GovernmentsClassifying Governments

Presidential Government - the executive and legislative branches are separate, independent of one another and coequal, both sides have powers to block each other, chief executive chosen separate of legislative and has broad powers not subject to control of legislative branch

Presidential Government - the executive and legislative branches are separate, independent of one another and coequal, both sides have powers to block each other, chief executive chosen separate of legislative and has broad powers not subject to control of legislative branch

Chapter 1 Notes

Classifying GovernmentsClassifying Governments

Parliamentary Government - executive made up of prime minister or premier and their cabinet; they are part of legislative branch (parliament); PM is leader of majority party and is chosen by that body; cabinet is also chosen by that body and stays in office as long as they have support of majority

Parliamentary Government - executive made up of prime minister or premier and their cabinet; they are part of legislative branch (parliament); PM is leader of majority party and is chosen by that body; cabinet is also chosen by that body and stays in office as long as they have support of majority

Chapter 1 Notes

DemocracyDemocracy

James Bryce

“No government demands so much from the citizen as democracy and none give so much back”

James Bryce

“No government demands so much from the citizen as democracy and none give so much back”

Chapter 1 Notes

DemocracyDemocracy

Winston Churchill

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Winston Churchill

“No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Chapter 1 Notes

DemocracyDemocracy

American concept of Democracy is based on the following notions: Recognition of fundamental worth and dignity of

every person Respect for equality of all persons Faith in majority rule and insistence on minority

rights Acceptance of necessity to compromise Insistence upon widest possible degree of

independent freedom

American concept of Democracy is based on the following notions: Recognition of fundamental worth and dignity of

every person Respect for equality of all persons Faith in majority rule and insistence on minority

rights Acceptance of necessity to compromise Insistence upon widest possible degree of

independent freedom

Chapter 1 Notes

Political ideologiesPolitical ideologies

Ideology - comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and role of government

No matter what form of government is used, each individual has an ideology that influences the way they view government

Common ideologies follow:

Ideology - comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people and role of government

No matter what form of government is used, each individual has an ideology that influences the way they view government

Common ideologies follow:

Chapter 1 Notes

ConservatismConservatism

Dominates Republican party Places high value on order, liberty, and

traditional values Limited government role in helping individuals Freedom from government interference in

business Lower value on economic equality, believing

that individuals and families are responsible for their own well-being

Dominates Republican party Places high value on order, liberty, and

traditional values Limited government role in helping individuals Freedom from government interference in

business Lower value on economic equality, believing

that individuals and families are responsible for their own well-being

Chapter 1 Notes

LiberalismLiberalism

Dominates Democratic party Advocates government action to improve

welfare of individuals Support civil rights, tolerance, and social /

political change Favor government regulation of economy to

benefit all (ie: address poverty and health insurance

Freedom to live according to individual values

Dominates Democratic party Advocates government action to improve

welfare of individuals Support civil rights, tolerance, and social /

political change Favor government regulation of economy to

benefit all (ie: address poverty and health insurance

Freedom to live according to individual values

Chapter 1 Notes

SocialismSocialism

Favors strong support for social and economic equality

Envision a society where major business is run by government only

Favors strong support for social and economic equality

Envision a society where major business is run by government only

Chapter 1 Notes

LibertarianismLibertarianism

Skepticism towards most government activities Strongly support property rights Oppose regulation of economy and

redistribution of wealth

Skepticism towards most government activities Strongly support property rights Oppose regulation of economy and

redistribution of wealth

Chapter 1 Notes

Where do you fit?Where do you fit?

Political spectrum test Political spectrum test

Chapter 1 Notes

Democracy and the Free Enterprise SystemDemocracy and the Free Enterprise System

Democracy: political system

Free Enterprise: economic system

Democracy: political system

Free Enterprise: economic system

Chapter 1 Notes

There is a strong correlation between political freedom and economic freedom.

Where one is suppressed, the other is suppressed.

There is evidence that the less economic freedom a country has, the lower the standard of living (how well you live).

There is a strong correlation between political freedom and economic freedom.

Where one is suppressed, the other is suppressed.

There is evidence that the less economic freedom a country has, the lower the standard of living (how well you live).

Chapter 1 Notes

Index of Economic FreedomIndex of Economic Freedom

Compare where various countries are located on the index. The higher the rank, the more economic freedom you have…

http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking

Compare where various countries are located on the index. The higher the rank, the more economic freedom you have…

http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking

Chapter 1 Notes

Free Enterprise SystemFree Enterprise System America’s economic system (aka CAPITALISM) Characterized by private ownership of capital

goods, investments made by private decisions (not by a government group), and SUCCESS/FAILURE DETERMINED BY COMPETITION IN THE MARKET PLACE!!!!

Does not rely on government to decide WHAT items to produce, WHO will receive good/service, and HOW it should be produced…decisions made by supply/demand.

America’s economic system (aka CAPITALISM) Characterized by private ownership of capital

goods, investments made by private decisions (not by a government group), and SUCCESS/FAILURE DETERMINED BY COMPETITION IN THE MARKET PLACE!!!!

Does not rely on government to decide WHAT items to produce, WHO will receive good/service, and HOW it should be produced…decisions made by supply/demand.

Chapter 1 Notes

Supply/DemandSupply/Demand

PRICES serve as a signal for businesses and consumers

Example: when prices increase, how much consumers buy will decrease (vice versa)…if we continue to decrease how much we buy, this serves as a signal to producers to not produce as much (or quit altogether if the “trend” is past)

PRICES serve as a signal for businesses and consumers

Example: when prices increase, how much consumers buy will decrease (vice versa)…if we continue to decrease how much we buy, this serves as a signal to producers to not produce as much (or quit altogether if the “trend” is past)

Chapter 1 Notes

Three Economic SystemsThree Economic Systems

Market, Command, and Traditional Market – free enterprise Command – government controlled (what you

find in communist countries) Traditional – tradition drives market

In reality, all economies are mixed but will lean more as market or command. Example: US is a mixed economy. We are more

market but we do have some government regulations

Market, Command, and Traditional Market – free enterprise Command – government controlled (what you

find in communist countries) Traditional – tradition drives market

In reality, all economies are mixed but will lean more as market or command. Example: US is a mixed economy. We are more

market but we do have some government regulations

Chapter 1 Notes

Economic system of DemocracyEconomic system of Democracy

4 Factors that make a Free Enterprise Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition

4 Factors that make a Free Enterprise Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition

Chapter 1 Notes