Government Chapter 1 People and Government

Do Now: “Some people equate politics with bribery or corruption…The misuse of politics, however, should not obscure the value of a political system” (Textbook, pg. 15) To what extent do you agree with this quote? Does the good of our political system outweigh the bad? Or are these issues just a sign that it is time for us to find a new system?

Section 1: Principles of Government State- From Aristotle and his study of the Polis Population Territory Sovereignty Government Nation- Common race, language, customs, traditions. Nation-state- boundaries coincide, such as France.

Theories of the origin of the State Evolutionary Theory- evolve from the family Force Theory- Government formed when the people came under the rule of one or a group. Divine Right Theory- Gods chose certain people to lead. Social Contract Theory- Thomas Hobbes, people surrendered the power to maintain order and be protected.

The Purposes of Government Governments get authority from; Legitimacy- willingness to obey. Coercive force- police, courts, and military. Maintaining Social Order Provide Public Services Providing National Security Making Economic Decisions

Section 2: The Formation of Government Government Systems Unitary System- All power to central government Federal System- Shared power Confederacy Constitutions and Government Written versus unwritten U.S. oldest written Great Britain unwritten

Constitutions Incomplete Guides- constantly adapting Statement of goals Preamble Framework for government Sets up the Government The Highest Law Constitutional Law

Politics and Government Seeking Government Benefits- which groups win out Importance of Politics- the give and take needed to manage conflicts in society. Special Interests- looking out for specific ideals. James Madison and the Framers were weary of factions (special interest groups)

Governing in a Complex World Major Inequalities Among States Industrialized Developing nations Growing Interdependence Global economy and trade agreements (NAFTA) Non-state International Groups Al Qaeda World Trade Organization Multinational Corporations

Section 3: Types of Governments Autocracy- One person in control Total Dictatorship- Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin Monarchy Absolute- 1400-1700, western Europe Constitutional- more common today, Great Britain Oligarchy- Rule by a few, communist countries Democracy/Republic- voters are the source of power. Direct Democracy Representative democracy

Characteristics of Democracy Individual Liberty With limitations Equal opportunity Majority Rule with Minority Rights Certain rights guaranteed Free Elections One person, one vote, restrictions minimal Competing Political Parties

The Soil of Democracy Active Participation A Favorable Economy Free Enterprise Widespread Education Strong Civil Society Network of voluntary associations(Red Cross) A Social Consensus- General agreement on purpose and limits of Government

Section 4: Economic Theories The Role of Economic Systems What and how much to produce How do we produce Who gets the goods and services produced Capitalism- Origins with Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations Free market Laissez-faire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUWDrgrLKrk

Economic Theories Capitalism continued Private property, competition, and profit are key No pure capitalist system Government influence Grew during the depression Mixed-market Economy

Economic Theories Bourgeoisie Proletariat Based on class struggle Socialism Equal distribution of wealth, Public ownership of production Democratic Socialism- People elect officials, government controls production Communism- Karl Marx, The Communist Manifesto, Das Kapital Bourgeoisie Proletariat Based on class struggle Leads to Command Economy