Principles of Government Magruder Chapter One

Government and the State Section One

What is Government? Government makes and enforces public policies. Government consists of lawmakers, administrators, and judges.

Four Characteristics of a State Population A state consists of people Largest country – China – 1.3 billion Smallest country – Vatican – 800 people

Four Characteristics of a State Territory A state must have land

Four Characteristics of a State Sovereignty Sovereign states determine their own form of government

Four Characteristics of a State Government Government consists of the machinery and personnel by which the state is ruled.

Origins of the State The Force Theory A person or group forced control over an area and people

Origins of the State The Evolutionary Theory States originated in the family

Origins of the State The Divine Right Theory God gave individuals or groups the right to rule

Origins of the State The Social Contract Theory People agreed to give up power to the state in return for the state’s service to the general well-being of the people.

The Purpose of Government Found in the Preamble of the United States Constitution To Form a More Perfect Union In union there is strength To Establish Justice The law should be administered reasonably, fairly, and impartially

The Purpose of Government To Insure Domestic Tranquility Without order, people would live in anarchy Provide for the Common Defense The state’s security rests on wise defense and foreign policies

The Purpose of Government To Promote the General Welfare The state has a responsibility to provide a variety of public services To Secure the Blessings of Liberty Freedom is necessary for a democracy

Forms of Government Section Two

Classifying Governments No two governments are alike Governments are classified in order to analyze them

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Government Power is held in a single, central agency Can create lower levels of government and can remove them at any time All final decisions are made by the central government Examples are Great Britain, France, Italy

Geographic Distribution of Power Federal Government Powers are divided between a central agency and several local governments Each state government is specifically protected within a written constitution Both levels can make final decisions Examples are the US, Canada, Germany

Geographic Distribution of Power Confederate Government The central government has limited power with the most important authority reserved for member states States control the vast majority of the power Examples are the US under the Articles and the Confederate States of America

Legislature and Executive Presidential Government Executive and Legislative branches are independent and co-equal Cannot serve in both at the same time One cannot dissolve the other

Legislature and Executive Parliamentary government Members of the Executive Branch are also members of the Legislative Branch One branch can remove the other if the need arises

Number Who Can Participate Dictatorship Participation in government is limited to the individual or group who rules Democracy The people hold the power and give consent to the government to rule

Basic Concepts of Democracy Section Three

The Five Basic Concepts The Foundations of Democracy The fate of American democracy rests on the people’s acceptance of certain basic concepts. The acceptance of the basic concepts of democracy presents Americans with problems and challenges.

The Five Basic Concepts Fundamental Worth of the Individual Democracy insists on the worth and dignity of all. Sometimes the welfare of one person must be subordinated to the interests of the many.

The Five Basic Concepts Equality of All Persons Democracy insists on the equality of opportunity. Democracy insists on equality before the law.

The Five Basic Concepts Majority Rule and Minority Rights Democracy argues that the majority will be right more often than wrong. Democracy searches for satisfactory solutions to public problems. The majority must recognize the right of the minority to become the majority.

The Five Basic Concepts Necessity for Compromise Compromise allows citizens to make public decisions. Compromise is not an end in itself but a means to reach a public goal.

The Five Basic Concepts Individual Freedom Freedom cannot be absolute, or anarchy will result. American democracy strives to strike a balance between liberty and authority.