1. How did Governments begin?
Origin of Government
How did Governments begin?

2. Bell Ringer
Describe how you think the United States would be if there was no government?

3. State of Nature
Everyone is free to make rational (good) or irrational (bad) decisions.
Ambition and mistrust dominate.
No one enforces rules or protects the people.

4. Add Government Minimizes irrational choices People are protected
Rules are enforced
Minimizes irrational choices
People are protected
Increases survival

5. Thomas Hobbes
"During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man In such condition the life of man [is] solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. "
- Thomas Hobbes, Philosopher

6. How did Governments come to exist? What was the first government?

7. Theories of the Origin of Government
Evoluationary Theory
Force Theory
Divine Right Theory
Social Contract Theory

8. I. Origin (Creation) of Government
1. Evolution Theory
Started with families
The heads of these families became the government.
Families grew=gov grew
provide order and protection. 8

9. Origin of Government 2. Force Theory
An individual or group claim control over a territory and forced the population to follow their laws.

10. Historical Examples Mongol Empire
Genghis Khan conquered other nomadic tribes until he controlled all of Asia

11. Theories of Government
3. Divine Right Theory
God created the state, making it sovereign.
The government is appointed by god
The population must obey their ruler. 11

12. Historical Examples Persuasion/Rewards
Mandate of Heaven (China, 1100’s BCE) the Chinese ruler was the “son of heaven” and had authority so long as he ruled in morally.
Divine Right of Kings (Europe, 1500’s) monarchs represented God on Earth and did not have to answer the people because they answered to God.

13. Origins of Government 4. Social Contract Theory (Hobbes)
People agree to give up some of their rights
The government agrees to provide order and security

14. Historical Examples
The United States of America
The Constitution limits some of our rights and grants authority to the elected leaders
The leaders protect our remaining rights

15. What are the most important roles of Government?

16. Brainstorming
Try and think of 3-4 broad categories that government should be responsible for. From there, think of more detailed responsibilities that fit within each category.
Category 3
Category 1
Government
Category 2
Category 4

17. What Should Governments Do?
A. Maintain order
B. Provide national security
C. Provide public services
D. Make economic decisions
E. Secure our rights

18. John Locke Social Contract People have natural rights
Life, liberty, property
People have the right to rebel if gov does not protect natural rights
Gov should have branches to balance power

19. Notebook Item 5 Survival for all Rights protected by government
Order
Limits Individual Freedom
Unlimited Freedom
No rights
Rights protected by government
Survival of the Fittest
Right to rebel against the government
Chaotic
Laws
Common Goals
State of Nature vs. Social Contract