1. Chapter 1: People & Government
Section 1: Principles of Government
Aristotle is often considered the first student of political science for asking two key questions regarding government:
What is the proper function of government?
Where or why did government originate?
The State: a political community that occupies a definite territory & has an organized govt. with the power to make and enforce laws without any higher authority. Examples?
A nation: any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, & sometimes religion. Examples?
Aristotle
Ἀριστοτέλης

2. Essential Features of a State
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government
Theories of the Origin of the State
• Evolutionary Theory: “Father Abraham”
• Force Theory: “might makes right”
• Divine Right Theory: “l’ etat ce moi.”
• Social Contract Theory: philosophical approach pioneered by Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan & John Locke in Two Treatises in Government.

3. Section 2: The Formation of Government
Government Systems
Unitary system: gives all key powers to the national or central government.
Exp: France
Federal System: divides powers of government between national & state or provincial governments. Exp: U.S.A.
Confederacy: loose union of independent states. Exp: United Arab Emirates

4. Section 2: The Formation of Government
Constitutions & Government
Constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government.
1. sets ideals that people are bound by the constitution believe in and share.
2. establishes basic structure of government & defines government’s powers & duties
3. provides supreme law for a country
Constitutional government: a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern.

5. Section 3: Types of Governments
WHO GOVERNS?
Autocracy: single ruler (power by force or inheritance)
Absolute/totalitarian dictatorship: tries to control all aspects of life (Hitler’s Germany)
Monarchy: inherited power (kings and queens)
Oligarchy: small group (power by wealth, force, social position, religion)
Communist countries (China, North Korea)
Democracy: the people
Direct: people actually vote on issues
Representative: people elect reps to decide issues

6. Section 4: Economic Theories
What is the basic role of an economic system?
3 basic questions:
What and how much should be produced?
How should goods and services be produced?
Who gets the goods and services that are produced?

7. Explain the origin and function of capitalism
Developed over time in Europe
Trade routes opened to Asia in 1200s
People invested money to make profits--became the wealthy middle class
Belief in free market (buyers/sellers free to make economic decisions in the marketplace)
Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Laissez-faire: gov’t should keep its hands off the economy
               

8. Explain the origin and function of capitalism
Answer to 3 basic questions?
The market/supply and demand
Characteristics
Private ownership/control of property
Free enterprise
Competition among businesses
Freedom of choice
Possibility of profits

9. How does capitalism work in the U.S.?
Free Enterprise in the U.S.
No market is truly free
Gov’t regulates trade, owns property, runs services, etc.
Governmental Influence
US gov’t is #1 consumer
Gov’t regulates product safety, working conditions, environmental issues, banking, etc.
Gov’t provides social services
Mixed-Market Economy
Economy in which free enterprise is combined w/ and supported by gov’t decisions in the marketplace
Capitalism is viewed as central to democracy

10. Explain the origin and function of socialism
1800s: industrialization in Europe accented differences between rich and poor
Answer to 3 basic questions?
Government controls basic means of production while allowing some elements of free market
Main goals of socialism
Equal distribution of wealth and economic opportunity
Society’s control of major production decisions
Public ownership of land, factories, etc.
Democratic Socialism: people have rights and control of gov’t--gov’t controls economy (GB)

11. Explain the origin and function of communism
Karl Marx: German socialist revolutionary
The Communist Manifesto & Das Kapital
Capitalists/bourgeoisie/owners “enslave” workers/proletariat
Owners and workers in constant struggle--fewer and fewer people own wealth--violent uprising of workers leads to revolution and socialism
Eventually communism (one class, property held in common, no government)
“The proletarians have nothing to lose but their chains. Working men of all countries unite!”

12. Explain the origin and function of communism
Answer to 3 basic questions?
Gov’t makes all decisions (command economy)
Government making all decisions about money means government basically makes all decisions
Inherently un-democratic
No successful communist countries--typically corruption prevents a decent standard of living