1. Chapter 1 Principles of Government and Politics
Section 1 Introducing Politics and Government

2. Politics = A struggle over who gets what, when, and how
What Is Politics?
Politics = A struggle over who gets what, when, and how
Politics uses power and scarce resources.
Politics attempts to reach a political goal.
Politics produces winners and losers. Winner gets power or interests served.
Relationship between power and authority.
Authority is power gained through lawful means which citizens recognize as legitimate or “right”.

3. Political Activities
Question: What would you consider a political activity?
Question: What types of political activities do you take part in?
Answer: Persuading, coaxing, compromising, bargaining, and cooperating are all examples of political behavior because they help people attain their goals.
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4. Politics and Government
Politics is a process. Does not equal government.
Government is an organization.
provides the rules and institutions that shape how politics operates.
Institution: organization that carries out a certain function of government
Each government exercises authority over a state or nation. (State: Sovereignty over population in territory.)
Politics shapes the rules that a state uses to regulate how power is distributed.
When people accept the authority of a government, they are acknowledging that it is legitimate
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5. Purposes of Government
The purposes of government are to:
Maintain social order
Ensure domestic tranquility
Establish justice
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure liberty
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6. Role of the People Rights of American People:
Vote in free elections if 18 or older.
Run for office if of the right age.
Support political candidates for office, organize political groups, march for a cause, and protest.
Responsibilities
Obey the law.
Sit on juries.
Pay taxes.
Serve in the military.

7. Government and Economics
Economics: Production and distribution of goods and services (Varies according to country)
Economic systems: Distribution of resources in society
Differs according to government control over economy
Do not require people’s consent
Karl Marx: Socialist economist
Regulated Capitalism: economic system based on free enterprise with government oversight to protect rights and promote fairness
United States is a Capitalist Republic
Note to teachers: Emphasize that capitalism is often called a “free enterprise system” or a “market economy,” and that in a pure form of this system, the government has no role to play. Also discuss that the United States is a mixed economy because there is some government control. Next, discuss socialism and explain that it can also be called a “command economy” because the government, or government planners, “command” the interplay of goods and services.
Finally, explain how social democracy is a mixture of ideas from socialism and capitalism.
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8. Your Turn
Under which of the following economic systems would the government own all the land, factories, and businesses in the society?
Laissez-faire capitalism
Socialist or command economy
Regulated capitalist economy
Social democracy
Note to teachers: The correct answer to this question is b.
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9. Different Political Systems
There are two broad types of political systems:
Authoritarian: Government has ultimate power over how people live their lives. (State comes first; no rights.) Example: Nazi Germany
Totalitarian: Can exercise power over everything.
Nonauthoritarian: Ultimate power rests with the people in the state. Example: United States
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10. Authoritarian Systems
Autocracy: One powerful individual
Monarchy: Powerful king or queen, inherited position, not always authoritarian (Type of autocracy)
Fascism: Powerful state, dictator as leader (Hitler)
Oligarchy: Power given to small group or party (Government by the few)
Theocracy: Sovereign God, powerful representative on earth
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11. Nonauthoritarian Systems
Anarchy: Neither government nor laws.
Democracy: Government run by the people
All-powerful populace
Equality: Certain rights guaranteed to all citizens
Compromise is central
Direct democracy: Government with people standing up for themselves
Majority rule by voter decision
Indirect democracy: Government with elected leaders representing the people. Example: United States
Note to teachers: Anarchy would be a difficult system to live in because there is no order. How does one organize to do anything in a system that believes in no order or rules? Point this out to students. Also point out there are no current systems that follow this model.
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12. Socialism and Democracy
Socialism: individuals do not make decisions, government does. Government sets prices, wages, and distributes wealth.
Social Democracy: system that reflects a belief that most property can be privately held but also embraces the values of equality promoted by socialism.
Pluralistic democracy: participating in government as a group member is more valuable than participating as an individual. Example: Several small political groups uniting to outvote a larger group.
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13. Your Turn
Citizenship allows members of a government to take part in certain rights and responsibilities. What are the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy?
Note to teachers: Students should brainstorm a list of things that citizenship entails in a democracy. Write that list down on the board.
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