Post on 29-Jan-2016
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Unit 1Chapter 1-Principles of Government
What is Government? Institution through which a society
makes and enforces its public policies and laws
“Man is by nature a political animal-Aristotle
Public Policies: All things government decides to do Taxation, defense, education, crime, health care, working conditions etc.
Kinds of Power Legislative
Power to make law and frame public policies
Executive Power to execute, enforce, and administer law
Judicial Power to interpret laws
Powers may be held by a single person or small group and majority of people
Powers are outlined in a country’s constitution
The State
What is a state?
Body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority
More than 190 states in the world
Characteristics of a State
Four Characteristics: Population: must have people Territory: Must have land with
recognized boundaries Sovereignty: Has supreme and
absolute power within its own territory
Government: Every state has a Government
Theories on Gov’t Development
1-Force military
2-Evolutionary Starts with family—clan---tribe
3-Divine Right “god given” right to rule
4-Social Contract John Locke
What does Gov’t do for us?
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” -Preamble to the Constitution
What does Gov’t do for us? 6 Functions 1) Perfect Union: union=strength 2) Establish Justice: law must be reasonable,
fair and impartial “equal justice for all”
3) Domestic Tranquility: need order, need Gov’t 4) Common Defense: must protect and defend
our nation 5) Promote General Welfare: Benefit the citizens 6) Secure the Blessings of Liberty “You can only be free if I am free”--Darrow
Forms of Government
No two governments are alike Various ways to classify
Governments1. Who can participate in governing
process2. Geographic distribution of power3. Relationship between lawmaking and
executive
Forms of Government Cont.Who can participate?
Democracy Political authority rests
with people “Government of the
people, by the people, for the people” Lincoln
Direct Democracy will of people is
translated into law directly by the people (mass meetings)
Indirect/ Representative Democracy
Small group of people chosen by the people act as their representative and express the popular will
Forms of Government Cont.Who can participate?
Dictatorship Political authority rests
with one person or a small group
Oldest form of government
Very few admit they are a dictator
Autocracy Single person holds
unlimited power Oligarchy
Small group of people
Forms of Government Cont.Geographic Distribution
Unitary Government- centralized Gov’t Great Britain
Federal Government- powers divided between central and local governments United States
Confederate Government- alliance of independent states European Union, Colonies
Geographic Distribution
Unitary
Federal GovernmentFederal Government
Confederate GovernmentConfederate Government
Forms of Government Cont.Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches
Presidential (US) Separation of Powers Branches are independent Fixed Terms Powers are written in the Constitution
Parliamentary Executive is made up of prime minister & cabinet Parliament includes executive No terms No checks and balances Majority of world is parliamentary
Democracy is…..
Political Cartoon #1 Title: democracy
Artist: Petar Pismestrovic, Kleine Zeitung, Austria Date: February 2, 2005
Political Cartoon #2 Title: Meaning of Democracy
Artist: Larry Wright, The Detroit News Date: February 1, 2005
Political Cartoon #3 Title: Democracy Shuttle
Artist: Stephane Peray, Thailand Date: August 10, 2005
Characteristics of Democracy
DEMOCRACY
Majority
ruleGovt.
by and forthe people
Rights of the individual protected
Elected representatives carry out the people’s willFreedom
Everyone equal under the law
Democracy is ….
a system of government in which the people rule
either directly or through elected representatives
Direct Democracy
• A form of democracy inwhich the people as awhole make directdecisions, rather thanhaving those decisionsmade for them byelectedrepresentatives
Examples of Direct Democracy
referendum - the practice of submitting a law to a popular vote at election time. The law may be proposed by a voter's initiative or by the legislature
Should District 128 raise taxes?
Yes No
Examples of Direct Democracy
recall - A procedure whereby the voters can vote to remove an elected official from office
Representative Democracy
• People elect individuals to represent their views at local, state and national levels
• Public Policies (laws) are made by officials who are selected by voters
• Held accountable by elections
American Concept of Democracy
•Importance of the Individual•Equality of all individuals•Majority Rule, Minority
Rights•Necessity of Compromise•Individual Freedom
Fortunate Sonrecorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
Some folks are born made to wave the flag,ooh, they're red, white and blue.And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief",oh, they point the cannon at you, Lord,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no senator's son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no,
Some folks are born silver spoon in hand,Lord, don't they help themselves, oh.But when the taxman come to the door,Lord, the house look a like a rummage sale, yes,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no millionaire's son.
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no.
Yeh, some folks inherit star spangled eyes,ooh, they send you down to war, Lord,And when you ask them, how much should we give,oh, they only answer, more, more, more, yoh,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no military son,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one,
It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate one, no no no,It ain't me, it ain't me,I ain't no fortunate son, no no no,