Government and the Government and the StateState

Chapter 1 Section 1Chapter 1 Section 1

What does government do?What does government do?

Makes laws (legislative power)Makes laws (legislative power) Enforces laws (executive power)Enforces laws (executive power) Interprets laws (judicial power)Interprets laws (judicial power)

Government is an institution; politics Government is an institution; politics is a process.is a process.

What is (or isn’t) a “State?”What is (or isn’t) a “State?”

All states must have:All states must have:2.2. PopulationPopulation3.3. TerritoryTerritory4.4. SovereigntySovereignty5.5. GovernmentGovernment

Who’s idea was this anyway?Who’s idea was this anyway?

The Force Theory-The Force Theory- Somebody stronger Somebody stronger than everyone else forced everyone else than everyone else forced everyone else to submit to his (or her) ruleto submit to his (or her) rule

The Evolution Theory-The Evolution Theory- families begat families begat clans; clans begat tribes; clans begat the clans; clans begat tribes; clans begat the statestate

The Divine Right Theory-The Divine Right Theory- God chose God chose certain people to rulecertain people to rule

The Social Contract Theory-The Social Contract Theory- The state The state exists to serve the peopleexists to serve the people

The Big 3 Non-American American The Big 3 Non-American American political philosopherspolitical philosophers

Thomas Hobbes (England) Thomas Hobbes (England) John Locke (England)John Locke (England) Jean Jacques Rousseau (France)Jean Jacques Rousseau (France)

Jefferson- The US Constitution is Jefferson- The US Constitution is “pure Locke.”“pure Locke.”

Purpose of GovernmentPurpose of Government

UnityUnity JusticeJustice

• ““Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” –MLK Jr.everywhere.” –MLK Jr.

OrderOrder• ““If men were angels, no government would be If men were angels, no government would be

necessary.” –James Madisonnecessary.” –James Madison DefenseDefense Public WelfarePublic Welfare LibertyLiberty