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Chapter 1People and Government
Chapter 1 Section 1
Principles of Government
Population, the most obvious essential feature of a state.◦ State: a political community that occupies a
definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from a higher authority.
◦ Nation: any sizable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion.
◦ Nation-state: a country in which the territory of both the nation and the state coincide
Essential Features of a State
An area with fixed boundaries.◦ The exact location or shape of political boundaries
is often a source of conflict among states. Sovereignty within its boundaries.
◦ Sovereignty: supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries
A government which maintains order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that its people must obey.
Essential Features of a State
Evolutionary Theory◦ The state evolved from the family group.
Force Theory◦ One person or a group used force to establish its
authority to govern the people. Divine Rights Theory
◦ The rulers of the people were chosen by the gods to govern.
Social Contract Theory◦ The people gave the government its power to rule
them, and in return the government had to respect the people’s rights.
Theories of the Origin of the State
Governments are needed to maintain social order by making and enforcing laws.
Governments provide essential services for people, such as promoting public health and safety.
The Purposes of Government
Governments protect people from attack by other states and from internal threats such as terrorism.
Governments pass laws that shape and control the nation’s economy in various ways.
The Purposes of Government
Chapter 1 Section 2
The Formation of Government
Unitary system: gives all key powers to national or central government
Federal system: divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments.
In the country’s infancy, the United States formed a confederacy, which is a loose union of independent states.
Government Systems
Constitution: a plan that provides the rules for government
Whether written or unwritten, a constitution organizes the structure of government and the way it operates.
Constitutions and Governments
Constitutions set out the goals and purposes of government as well as the ideals shared by the people.
Constitutions provide the supreme law for states and their governments.
Constitutions and Governments
Politics: the effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government
Individuals and groups use politics to seek benefits from government.
Although special interest groups seek special benefits, politics also provides benefits for all the people.
Politics and Government
The world today is divided into industrialized nations, developing nations, and newly industrialized nations.◦ Industrialized nation: has generally large
industries and advanced technology that provide a more comfortable way of life than developing nations.
◦ Developing nation: only beginning to develop industrially
Governing a Complex World
These groups of nations have many differences, but they are interdependent in many ways.
Other groups besides nations including multinational corporations, political movements, terrorist groups, and international organizations are important in today’s world.
Governing a Complex World
Chapter 1 Section 3
Types of Government
Governments can be classified according to who governs the state.◦ Autocracy
Power and authority reside in a single individual, such as a dictator ship or absolute monarchy
◦ Oligarchy A small group holds power in the government, such
as a communist country◦ Democracy
People hold the sovereign power of government, such as the United States
Major Types of Government
Individual Liberty◦ Government works to secure an equal opportunity
for people to develop their own abilities
Majority Rule with Minority Rights◦ Government is based on majority rule through the
people’s elected representatives, but respects the rights of minorities.
Characteristics of Democracy
Free Elections◦ Government is based on free and open elections
in which every citizen has the right to vote, every vote has equal weight, and candidates for office can freely express their views
Competing Political Parties◦ Political parties choose candidates for office,
respect the voter’s decisions in elections, and act as loyal opposition.
Characteristics of Democracy
Active Citizen Participation◦ Countries where citizens participate fully in civic
life are more likely to maintain a strong democracy.
A Favorable Economy◦ Stable, growing economies with a large middle
class help strengthen democracies.
Widespread Education◦ A public school system open to all people helps
promote democracy.
The Soil of Democracy
Strong Civil Society◦ A strong civil society in which a network of
voluntary organizations (including economic groups, religions groups, and many other) exists independent of government helps democracy to flourish.
A Social Consensus◦ The people accept democratic values such as
individual liberty and equality for all in a social consensus.
The Soil of Democracy
Chapter 1 Section 4Economic Theories
Governments provide for many different kinds of economic systems.
Economic systems make decisions about what goods and services should be produced, how they should be produced, and who gets them.
The Role of Economic Systems
Capitalism is based on free enterprise, or individual economic choices.
Capitalism developed gradually from the economic and political changes in medieval and early Europe.
Capitalism
The United States has a capitalist economy, but government plays a role.
Today the United States has a mixed market economy, incorporating both free enterprise and government regulation of business and industry.
Capitalism
Under socialism, government owns the basic means of production, plans the use of resources, distributes many products and wages, and provides basic social services.
Socialism developed in Europe during the 1800s.
Socialism
Some socialists favored taking over the government by means of revolution.
Other socialists believed in democratic socialism, in which economic conditions change peacefully and people have some freedoms and rights.
Socialism
Communism is based on the 19th century ideas of Karl Marx, who argued that capitalism exploited workers to benefit a small group of capitalists who controlled the economy.
In communist nations, government makes all economic decisions; owns the land, natural resources, industry, banks, and transportation systems; and controls all mass communication.
Communism