American Govt. Coach Kirkwood 1 Government in Society Government is Necessary.
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Transcript of American Govt. Coach Kirkwood 1 Government in Society Government is Necessary.
1
American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Government in Society
Government is Necessary
2
American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Objectives
• Identify the four basic characteristics of a state
• Describe two theories of government, including the social contract
3
American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
What are States
• An independent political unit• Four characteristics
– Population– Territory– Government– Sovereignty
• The right to rule itself
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Population
• May be large or small– USA--240 Million– China--1 Billion
• May be diverse or similar in characteristics• Has citizenship• Has allegiance
5
American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Territory• Occupies a specific geographic area• Has boundaries• Includes the following
– Land– Water– Natural resources– Inland waterways
• Can be large or small• Often causes conflict
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Government• It is the people and institutions to establish and
enforce public policies• People
– Kings, Queens, Presidents• Institutions
– Constitution, Courts, Parliaments, Army• Public policy is action directed towards a national
goal• Legitimacy
– The right to rule accepted by the people
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Sovereignty
• The ability to act independently• Three requirements:
– Able to decide and carry out its own foreign policy– Send and receive diplomats or ambassadors– Able to protect its own territory
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Theories of Govt.
• First studied by Aristotle• Theories
– Evolutionary• Rulers were seen as “parents”
– Force• Use of power or force to impose one’s will
– Divine right• Power to rule came from God
– Social Contract
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Social Contract
• The power of the people to rule themselves• Developed by Thomas Hobbes• Carried on by John Locke
– Believed people had natural rights• Life, Liberty, and Property
– Agreed to obey the government or ruler– But ruler was required to protect their rights
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Discussion
• Can a government stay in power if most people oppose it?
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
Assignment
• Read pgs. 9—11• Questions pg. 11
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American Govt.
Coach Kirkwood
What You Have Learned Today
• Identify the four basic characteristics of a state• Describe two theories of government, including
the social contract