Principles of Government September 12th, 2011

Central Concept What is government? What are the different types of government? How much influence should government have in your life? What is the role of government?

Discussion Question “To be free, one must be chained”. In your notes record a response to this statement.

Government and the State What is Government? A. The institution through which a society makes and enforces it’s public policies 1. Legislative Power – the power to make law and to frame public policies 2. Executive Power – the power to execute, enforce and administer law 3. Judicial Power – the power to interpret laws

The Purposes of Government To form a more perfect union. To establish justice. Insure domestic tranquility. Promote a common defense. Promote general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty.

Major Political Ideas September 13

Discussion Question: Is government an inevitable function of humans? Or , can we live in anarchy?

Origins of a State The Force Theory One person or a small group took control of an area. The Evolutionary Theory The state evolved naturally out of the early family. The Divine Right Theory God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule. The Social Contract Theory The state arose out of a voluntary act of free people.

Create your own Social Contract Theory

Government September 14, 2011

Classifying Government (1) Who can participate. (2) The geographic distribution of the governmental power within the state. (3) The relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the government.

Democracy vs. Dictatorship Authority rests with the people. A direct democracy-People directly get elected by the people themselves. In an indirect democracy, a small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representatives. Dictatorship A dictatorship exists where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.

Basic Concepts of Democracy (1) A recognition of the worth and dignity of every person; (2) A respect for the equality of all persons; (3) A faith in majority rule and respect for minority rights (4) Compromise (5) The widest possible degree of individual freedom.

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System The free enterprise system Private ownership and the market dictates supply and demand. Decisions in a free enterprise system are determined by the law of supply and demand.

Origins of American Government September 15th

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.” “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.“

Thomas Jefferson

The Declaration of Independence Pg40-42 Working in groups of three create a three-column chart with the headings Basic Rights, Wrongs Committed by Great Britain, and Colonists’ Intentions. Read the Declaration and record words, phrases, or ideas in the appropriate columns.