GOVERNMENT

Principles of Government

Chapter 1

GovernmentGovernment –

institution that makes & enforces public policy.

What are public policies? Plans of action created by the government that deal with a variety of issues.

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

An institution (or a tool) which those with power use to carry out public policies. They use imprisonment & execution to control human behavior within their territory.

All governments must have three types of powerthree types of power::

LegislativeLegislative (make laws/ public policy)ExecutiveExecutive (carries out/ enforces laws)JudicialJudicial (interprets/ decides fairness of laws)

These powers are commonly found in a constitutionconstitution which sets out the laws and principles of a government.

Authoritarian GovernmentsAuthoritarian Governments

Dictatorships Dictatorships – Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Castro, Saddam Hussein

OligarchiesOligarchies-some monarchies, South Africa -20% of the population (whites) controlled 80% of the population (blacks).

Democracy/RepublicDemocracy/Republic

Ultimate power belongs to the citizens!

**Four Characteristics Four Characteristics of a STATEof a STATE

1. *Population*PopulationSmallestSmallest in population: NauraNaura (now ruenow rue),

a Pacific island state (one of the 194 countries) has only 13,287 people.

Largestargest in population: ChinaChina, at 1.3 billion is

the largest state.

What do you know about the WORLD?Countries and Areas Ranked by Population: 2014 US Census Bureau

China 1,355,692,5762India 1,236,344,6313United States 318,892,1034Indonesia 253,609,6435Brazil 202,656,7886Pakistan 196,174,3807Nigeria 177,155,7548Bangladesh 166,280,7129Russia 142,470,27210Japan 127,103,388

2. **TerritoryTerritory

The smallest smallest in territory is NauraNaura at 8 square miles.

Largestargest in territory is RussiaRussia which is about 6.6 million sq. mi. which is 1/6 the land surface of the earth.

[U.S. is 3.7 mil. sq. miles]

LAND SIZE

Rankcountry (sq km)

1Russia 17,098,242NA

2Canada 9,984,670NA

3United States 9,826,675NA

4China 9,596,961NA

5Brazil 8,514,877NA

6Australia 7,741,220NA

7India 3,287,263NA

8Argentina 2,780,400NA

9Kazakhstan 2,724,900NA

10Sudan 2,505,813NA

3.3. SovereigntySovereignty :

means a state has political independence or absolute power within its “territorial boundaries.”

Each state decides its own policies. In theory no state has the right to interfere

with the internal affairs of another state.

Popular Popular (rule by the people] SovereigntySovereignty – peoplepeople are the only source of

government. Government must be conducted with the

consent of the people.

• 4. GovernmentGovernment

Government is a political organization. Over 200 states have

governments (machinery &personnel by which a state is ruled). Government is the agency the state uses to exert its will and accomplish

its goals.

2. 2. EvolutionaryEvolutionary Theory Theory – – went from went from early familyearly family [simple[simple

government] to the government] to the clanclan, to the, to the tribe tribe, to , to agricultural societyagricultural society

[could settle down and not be a nomad], [could settle down and not be a nomad], then tothen to governmengovernmentt..

**Four TFour Theories of Howheories of How G Government overnment DDevelopedeveloped

1.1. Force theoryForce theory – established through forceestablished through force.

The state was developed by force as one strong one strong person or group person or group conquered a given territorygiven territory, and then forced everyone living in their territory to submit everyone living in their territory to submit to their willto their will.

Early FamilyEarly Family ClanClan TribeTribe AAgricultural gricultural societysociety GGovernmentovernment

Four Theories of How Government Developed Four Theories of How Government Developed [continued][continued]

3. 3. Divine Right TheoryDivine Right Theory – – authority from authority from GodGod. . “God gave “God gave those of royal birth the right to rule.” This was the those of royal birth the right to rule.” This was the most universallymost universallyaccepted rule of the 17accepted rule of the 17thth & 18 & 18thth century century. During the Middle Ages many . During the Middle Ages many European monarchs and church officials asserted that the right to European monarchs and church officials asserted that the right to rule came directly from God. Therefore, these rulers were able to rule came directly from God. Therefore, these rulers were able to justify assuming hereditary, absolute power over their peoples. justify assuming hereditary, absolute power over their peoples. People who People who criticized or opposed the governmentcriticized or opposed the government were often accused were often accused of of treason or heresytreason or heresy. Today, the monarchs of Saudi Arabia are among . Today, the monarchs of Saudi Arabia are among the few rulers who claim they have a divine right to rule.the few rulers who claim they have a divine right to rule. So, So, religion is the basis of their authorityreligion is the basis of their authority. .

Four Theories of How Government Developed Four Theories of How Government Developed [continued][continued]

SocialSocial ContractContract Theory Theory – the state exists to serve the will of the state exists to serve the will of the peoplepeople and they are the only source of political power. In order to make life more pleasant and safe, people madea contract

together and formed a state. But, they had to give up their own unlimited freedom in order to insure the well-being of all.

This idea was originally advanced by the English philosopher, Thomas Thomas HobbesHobbes [1588-1679]. For Hobbes, the contractthe contract between the state and the people was finalwas final. The state had the absolute right to rule state had the absolute right to rule as it wishedas it wished. He was greatly influenced by the chaos of the English chaos of the English Civil war Civil war during the 17thcentury. Life would be horrible without Life would be horrible without government to protect us from each othergovernment to protect us from each other and from outsiders.

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes

There are many views on why government is important:

Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes, author of the Leviathan, suggested that governments are needed because without it, we would all be in the “state of nature”, warring against each other to no end… we would seek out our own self interests, much like animals, without enforceable laws to constrain us. In other words, according to Hobbes, the government provides us with fear of being fear of being punishedpunished if we break the law (and that is a good thing), so citizens are less inclined to do harm to others.

The absence of government is known as “anarchyanarchy”… the state of nature! With anarchy there are no laws, and therefore no consequences to doing harm to others.

The life of The life of man, man,

solitary, solitary, poor, nasty, poor, nasty, brutish, and brutish, and

short.short.

**The Purpose of GovernmentThe Purpose of Government

The The PreamblePreamble of the Constitution of the Constitution explains the explains the purpose of governmentpurpose of government as: as:

1. To Form a More Perfect Union [In union there is strength]

The Purpose of Government [1]The Purpose of Government [1]

Barbara Jordan

• Barbara Jordan as the Keynote Address Speaker at the Democratic National Convention in 19

• Speaking to “A More Perfect Union”

• Click the picture for video

•This means the government constantly seeks to This means the government constantly seeks to create a strongcreate a strong and and unified nation… this was a lesson unified nation… this was a lesson learned learned from thefrom the failures failures of theof the ArticlesArticles of of ConfederationConfederation

Ways this is done…Ways this is done…•CongressCongress creates laws creates laws and governmental and governmental policies that help the economy, protect policies that help the economy, protect individual rights, and promote justice individual rights, and promote justice (Legislative) (Legislative)

•The The PresidentPresident ensures that laws are carried out and ensures that laws are carried out and determines the direction of the nation (Executive)determines the direction of the nation (Executive)

•The Courts ensure that laws are fairThe Courts ensure that laws are fair (Judicial) (Judicial)

II. . To Form a More Perfect UnionTo Form a More Perfect UnionThe First Goal…The First Goal…

2. 2. EstablishEstablish JusticeJustice – The law should be administered reasonably, fairly, and impartially.

[Thomas Jefferson said this was the most sacred duty of government].

MLK said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”]

The Purpose of Government [2]The Purpose of Government [2]

II.II. Establish JusticeEstablish JusticeThe Second Goal…The Second Goal…• The Constitution seeksThe Constitution seeks to to ensure ensure that that our our laws are fair and equal for every citizen, laws are fair and equal for every citizen, but this is not an easy task. Jimmy Carter but this is not an easy task. Jimmy Carter once said, once said, ““The sad duty of politics is to The sad duty of politics is to establish justice in a sinful worldestablish justice in a sinful world”.”.

• In the United States, we have had a In the United States, we have had a tumultuous experience with this goal… tumultuous experience with this goal… (slavery, women’s rights, discrimination, (slavery, women’s rights, discrimination, child labor, etc.)child labor, etc.)• Justice can be established through laws Justice can be established through laws and policies and by court decisions.and policies and by court decisions.

3. To Insure Domestic Tranquility - Without order, people would live in anarchy.

Example: Cowboy fans being patted down.

The Purpose of Government [3]The Purpose of Government [3]

“But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?

FEDERALIST # 51 If men were angels, no government would be necessary.”

– James Madison-

The Purpose The Purpose of Government of Government

John AdamsJohn Adams

James MadisonJames Madison

3. Ensure Domestic Tranquility

Domestic Tranquility means “peace at home”.

In order to ensure this, we create government entities, like police forces, the FBI and the National Guard can be used in emergencies.

Good laws and their enforcement ensure that we have “peace at home”. Again, the “state of nature” (anarchy) must be avoided.

Child soldier in Uganda

The Purpose of Government [4]The Purpose of Government [4]

4. Provide for the Common Defense - The state’s security rests on wise defense and foreign policies. [Reagan said, “We are not a warlike people. Quite the opposite… But neither are we naïve or

foolish. We know only too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted.”]

The framers realized that a strong military was The framers realized that a strong military was important. Without one, nations could take important. Without one, nations could take advantage advantage of of the United States. The security of the United States. The security of this nation ensures its survival. this nation ensures its survival.

Promoting the general welfare refers

to the governments obligation to ensure the well-being of Americans.

Business owners are required to ensure

the safety of their workerssafety of their workers

Workman's CompensationWorkman's Compensation is available for injured workers

Unemployment benefitsUnemployment benefits and welfare are available for out of work citizens

Social SecuritySocial Security guarantees some income to workers upon retirement

Ensuring the educationeducation of children

Some nations with command economiescommand economiesensure even more, such as jobs, healthcare, transportation, energy, etc.

5. Promote the General WelfarePromote the General Welfare

6. *To Secure the Blessings of Liberty [not subject to restrictions] Freedom is necessary for a democracy. This liberty [freedom] cannot

be absolute, that is, it cannot interfere with other freedoms. Clarence Darrow said, “You can only be free if I am free.”“You can only be free if I am free.”

Liberty is the freedom to live as you please, Liberty is the freedom to live as you please, providing you do not victimize others… providing you do not victimize others… Liberty is a fragile principle.Liberty is a fragile principle.

So, YES- our freedoms are extensive, but So, YES- our freedoms are extensive, but limited.limited.

Every generation must take up the torch of Every generation must take up the torch of liberty and pass it on the next. We must be liberty and pass it on the next. We must be willing to serve our nation and become willing to serve our nation and become productive citizens. productive citizens.

Section 2: Forms of Government

Governments are classified according to:

1. Who can participate

2. How government power is distributed geographically

3. The relationship between the 3 branches of government

• Power rests with people• Can be direct or indirect

• Direct (pure) democracy, not on national level, but some towns make decisions with citizens at town meetings• Indirect (representative) democracy, small groups of people are elected to represent citizens and express their will. Elections are held to ensure accountability.The People are the government!!!

• Power rests with a single person (autocracy) or a small group of elites (oligarchy)• All are AUTHORITARIAN… and most are totalitarian…• Single person dictatorships are rare today, but do exist• Dictatorships are militaristic and usually take power by force• They often try to expand power through foreign aggression.

Three Forms of Three Forms of Geographical Governments Geographical Governments [Where is the power?][Where is the power?]

[Either the Unitary, [Either the Unitary, FederationFederation, or Confederation System], or Confederation System]

1.1. UnitaryUnitary Government Government – the national [central] government has all the key – the national [central] government has all the key powers and local governments get their powers and local governments get their

powerpower from the national government.from the national government.

Most governments are Most governments are unitaryunitary in form. in form.

Examples are Examples are Great BritainGreat Britain, Italy, France, Israel, and Japan. , Italy, France, Israel, and Japan.

All questions relating to education, police, the use of land, and welfare All questions relating to education, police, the use of land, and welfare are handled by the national government.are handled by the national government.

FederalFederal Government [Federation] – Government [Federation] –

the powers of government are divided between a the powers of government are divided between a national governmentnational government and and local governmentslocal governments [States and provinces][States and provinces]

Examples are U.S., Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, India, Examples are U.S., Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, India, Australia, India, and Germany.Australia, India, and Germany.

The The national government’s laws are supremenational government’s laws are supreme, but it cannot , but it cannot overrule State and local laws unless they conflict with overrule State and local laws unless they conflict with national laws.national laws.

ConfederateConfederate Government [Confederation] –

an alliance of independent states which give certain powers to a national government, like defense or foreign relations. Central government has limited power.

Confederate governments have only limited powers. 1) The Confederate States 2) 13 States of the U.S. under the Articles of

Confederation [1781-1789]

The Commonwealth of Independent StatesCommonwealth of Independent States, after the breakup of the Soviet Union is a modern day example.

The 12 Republics of the former Soviet Union is the only confederation in the worldonly confederation in the world.

So, being that confederation is veryvery rarerare, most modern states have either a unitary or federal government.

The relationship between the

LEGISLATIVE & EXECUTIVE Branches

a. a. PresidentialPresidential – where the voters elect an independent – where the voters elect an independent chief executive and independent legislature. chief executive and independent legislature. They determine the judiciary branch. They determine the judiciary branch. So the two independent branches have So the two independent branches have separate powersseparate powers but co-equal. but co-equal.

b. b. ParliamentaryParliamentary – the voters elect the – the voters elect the legislaturelegislature who appoint who appoint

a chief executive who holds office at thea chief executive who holds office at the pleasure of the legislature. He pleasure of the legislature. He cancan be forced be forced from office. They also determine the from office. They also determine the

judiciary branch. judiciary branch. Most nations have Most nations have parliamentaryparliamentary form of government. form of government. The executive stays in office as long as he has a majority of the The executive stays in office as long as he has a majority of the parliament [“vote of confidence”]. No checksparliament [“vote of confidence”]. No checks and balances in this form and balances in this formof government.of government.

Presidential Government Parliamentary Government

Legislative and executive branches are separate… but the

people vote for them independently.

Legislature PresidentLegislative and executive branches are separate… but the people only vote the legislature. The legislature’s majority party or an alliance of parties then chooses the executive, and he chooses a cabinet. If the prime minister and cabinet get a vote of “no confidence” a new government has to be chosen.

Legislature Prime Minister/Premier

Voters Voters

1.1. Recognition of the Recognition of the fundamental Worth of fundamental Worth of personspersons

2.2. Respect for the Respect for the Equality of Equality of all personsall persons

3.3. Faith in Faith in Majority ruleMajority rule and and insistence on Minority insistence on Minority rightsrights

4.4. Acceptance of the Acceptance of the Necessity of CompromiseNecessity of Compromise

5.5. Insistence on the widest Insistence on the widest possible degree of possible degree of Individual FreedomIndividual Freedom

Worth and Dignity of IndividualsWorth and Dignity of Individuals

Government exists to serve the many, who as Government exists to serve the many, who as individuals, make up societyindividuals, make up society

In a democracy, and in all aspects of life, one In a democracy, and in all aspects of life, one chooses to live within the law or outside of it:chooses to live within the law or outside of it:• taxestaxes• draft registrationdraft registration• speed limitsspeed limits• drug/alcohol usedrug/alcohol use

We cannot have an absolute utilitarian society!We cannot have an absolute utilitarian society!

We create laws that benefit all… not just We create laws that benefit all… not just the elite.the elite.

But we have a responsibility to make But we have a responsibility to make this happen.this happen.

Each person’s worth and dignity must be respected by other individuals. Sometimes the welfare of one must be subordinate to the interests of the many.

Equality of all Equality of all PersonsPersons

… But what does that mean? Our Declaration says “all men are created equal. Are we?

In what way?

We are equal in that we have:

1. Equality of opportunity2. Equality before the law

Both have been subject to different interpretations…democracies do NOT ensure

equality of condition.

This doesn’t mean that everyone has a right to an equal share of

worldly goods. They are entitled to equality of opportunities and equality before the law. No person should be held back based on racerace, color, religion, or gender.

We have improved on this in the last 40 years but we are not there yet.

Majority Rule Is Restrained by Minority Rights

Democracy holds that the majority will be rightmajority will be right more often than it is wrong and that it would also be right more often than a single person or group.

Democracy is a “trial and error”“trial and error” system, which hopes to come up with satisfactory solution… not right ones.

Can a majority make errors? Yes!!! Democracy seeks to constantly improve.

Majority rule is essential in a democracy, but it must be balances with minority rights.

The will of the majority cannotcannot be used to deprive a minority of his rights. The majority mustmust be willing to welcome minority suggestions and objections.

An example of the abuse of the rights of minorities was when our government put 100,000 Japanese-Americans100,000 Japanese-Americans in relocation campsin relocation camps during WWII because they feared they would be disloyal. [Survivors later received $20,000 each]

Necessity of CompromiseNecessity of CompromiseIn a democracy, we must have “give and take”. Conflicts have to

be resolved for democracies to succeed, so people must be willing to “give a little to get a little”.

The process by which competing viewpoints are adjusted in order to reach a majority decision is compromisecompromise.

Compromise is essential because:

• Society is made up of people with varying opinions… compromise must be the tool used to find a comfortable middle ground.

• Often, we have more than 2 positions on a variety of issues!

• IS COMPROMISE ALWAYS GOOD OR NECESSARY?

Individual Freedom

Freedom is something we enjoy in democracy… but it is limited! WHY?

Anarchy is the only way one gets complete freedom… and it is always temporary!

Democracies are constantly challenged with the problem of balancing individual liberties with governmental power.These 5 concepts of democracy are the principles to which the U.S. Subscribes and that we strive to follow.

JFK said, “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”“The right to swing your fist ends where the other person’s nose begins.”

Even the US economic system is rooted in the concepts of freedom!

Characteristics: private ownership of capital goods, choice in how to use money; open markets

Based on 4 fundamental factors:

1. PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

2. INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE

3. PROFIT

4. COMPETETITION

CAPITALISM

Laissez-Faire:

the Government should not be involved in economics/business

No REGULATIONS

SOCIALISM

The Government is involved a lot more but there is some capitalism (privately owned businesses)

COMMUNISM

The Government owns EVERYTHING

CUBA, CHINA

MIXED MARKET

Capitalism rules, but there are some government run businesses: Amtrak & Post Office

U.S.A is a MIXED MARKET Economy