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

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. © EMC Publishing, LLC

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. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Politics and Government Politics is a process. Government is an organization. Each government exercises authority over a state or nation. Politics shapes the rules that a state uses to regulate how power is distributed. © EMC Publishing, LLC

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 © EMC Publishing, LLC

Government and Economics Economics: Production and distribution of goods and services Varies according to country Economic systems: Distribution of resources in a society Differs according to government control over economy 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. © EMC Publishing, LLC

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. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Different Political Systems There are two broad types of political systems: Authoritarian: Government has ultimate power over how people live their lives. It can be totalitarian or it can limit its own power. Example: Nazi Germany Nonauthoritarian: Ultimate power rests with the people in the state. Example: United States © EMC Publishing, LLC

Authoritarian Systems Autocracy: One powerful individual Monarchy: Powerful king or queen, inherited position, not always authoritarian Fascism: Powerful state, dictator as leader Oligarchy: Powerful small group Theocracy: Sovereign God, powerful representative on earth © EMC Publishing, LLC

Nonauthoritarian Systems Anarchy: Neither government nor laws Why might this be a difficult system in which to live? Democracy: Government by the people All-powerful populace Certain rights guaranteed Direct democracy: Government with people standing up for themselves Majority rule by voter decision Indirect democracy: Government with elected leaders representing the people 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. © EMC Publishing, LLC

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. © EMC Publishing, LLC