1. Introduction to Government

2. The “Preamble” “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility [peace], provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity [future generations], do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility [peace], provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity [future generations], do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

3. Democracy Word is from ancient Greek words demos, meaning the people, and kratia, meaning authority. Word is from ancient Greek words demos, meaning the people, and kratia, meaning authority. Citizen is any member of a political system in which the people have a voice in their government. Citizen is any member of a political system in which the people have a voice in their government. A person who is not a U.S. citizen by birth can become a citizen through the process of Naturalization A person who is not a U.S. citizen by birth can become a citizen through the process of Naturalization

4. A government that is shaped by what the people believe and what the people do is called popular sovereignty. A government that is shaped by what the people believe and what the people do is called popular sovereignty. Government is a social institution that is created to hold the society together. Government is a social institution that is created to hold the society together. It does so by using informal rules and formal rules to govern society. It does so by using informal rules and formal rules to govern society.

5. Constitution of the United States Separation of Powers – Divided into 3 branches: Judicial, Executive and Legislative Separation of Powers – Divided into 3 branches: Judicial, Executive and Legislative Federalism – sharing of powers between the national government and the state government Federalism – sharing of powers between the national government and the state government Bicameral – Legislative branch is divided into 2 sub-categories: Senate and House of Representatives Bicameral – Legislative branch is divided into 2 sub-categories: Senate and House of Representatives

6. U.S Government compared to Georgia State Government Executive Branch: President 4-year term; Vice-President – elected 4-year term Executive Branch: President 4-year term; Vice-President – elected 4-year term Legislative Branch (Congress): Senate 6- year term; House 2-year term Legislative Branch (Congress): Senate 6- year term; House 2-year term Judicial Branch (9 Supreme Court Judges): Appointed for life by the president with Senate confirmation Judicial Branch (9 Supreme Court Judges): Appointed for life by the president with Senate confirmation Executive Branch: Governor 4-year term; Lt. Governor 4-year term Legislative Branch (General Assembly): Senate 2-year term; House 2 –year term Judicial Branch: Elected 4- or 6-year terms

7. Checks and Balances

8. Distribution of Powers Powers Reserved to the National Government Shared Powers Powers Reserved to the States Authority to issue coins and paper money Declaration of War Set up a Post Office Establish rules for Citizenship Power to regulate business between states Make treaties with other nations Maintain an army and navy Other powers that Congress deems “necessary and proper” Power to levy (set) and collect taxes Establish courts Regulate public utilities, Take property for public use Build highways Define crimes Create local governments Regulate marriage and divorce Operate public schools and colleges License occupations and businesses Conduct elections Regulate political parties Protect persons and property Regulate traffic on public roads Police power: pass laws to protect public health, morals, safety and welfare

9. Political Parties DEMOCRATREPUBLICAN SymbolDonkeyElephant PhilosophyLiberalConservative Economic Issues Favor minimum wages and progressive taxation i.e. higher tax rates for higher income brackets Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should reflect free market.

10. Political Parties DEMOCRATREPUBLICAN Military Issues Decreased spending Increased spending Death Penalty Support for the death penalty is strong among democrats but opponents are a substantial fraction. A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty. Social and Human Ideas Community and social responsibility based Individual rights and justice based