Principles of Government Chapter 1

What is government? Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Public policies are all those things a gov’t decides to do. Public policies range from taxation to civil rights.

3 kinds of gov’t power Every gov’t has three kinds of power. These three powers are: Legislative: power to establish law Executive: power to carry out the law Judicial: power to interpret laws and settle disputes In the U.S. what people or groups hold these powers at the national level?

Constitution The legislative, executive, and judicial powers held by a gov’t are often outlined in a constitution. Textbook pg. 758-Articles of the Const. A constitution is a body of laws that sets out a government’s structure, principles, and processes. What is considered the supreme law of the land in the U.S.? Why is the U.S. Constitution considered a living document? Each state has its own constitution, but the U.S. constitution is superior to the state constitutions.

Different Types of Gov’t A democracy is a gov’t by the people. The supreme power is exercised by the people either through a direct democracy(people express their will directly by making public policy) or an indirect democracy (considered representative because a relatively small group of people are selected by the citizens to represent their wishes in gov’t). A democracy provides for representation through free elections. Examples: U.S. and Australia What type of democracy does the U.S. have today?

Different Types of Gov’t A dictatorship is a gov’t ruled by a single person who has absolute rule that is unrestricted by law, constitutions, or the people. All dictatorships are authoritarian because the ruler holds absolute authority over the people. Dictatorships can also be an autocracy in which one person holds unlimited political power or an oligarchy in which a small elite group holds power. A dictator often assumes power by force and usually abuses their power.

Different Types of Gov’t Totalitarianism is used to describe political systems where a ruler regulates almost every aspect of public and private life. This term has been applied to Nazi Germany. Current totalitarian governments include Cuba, North Korea, and China. These political systems often use propaganda distributed through state owned or controlled mass media to keep power.

The State The world’s dominant political unit is the state. Each state has four defining characteristics: population (number of people living in an area), territory( recognized boundaries often called a nation or a country), sovereignity (supreme absolute power), and government (politically organized).

5 ideals of American democracy Each individual has worth and democracy serves the many individuals who make up society. All individuals are equal and all are entitled to equality of opportunity and equality before the law. The majority of people rules, but the majority must respect the rights of the minority. Majority must always be willing to hear the minority’s argument. Compromise or the blending and adjusting of competing interests is necessary. Compromise means finding the position most acceptable to the largest number. Each individual must have the widest possible degree of freedom while still obeying laws and not infringing on the rights of others.

4 Theories to Explain the Origin of the State No clear explanation on what brought about the state as a way to govern the people. Several theories have been proposed to attempt to explain the origin of the state. Force Theory: The state was born when a person or a small group claimed control over an area and forced all within to submit to its rule. Evolutionary Theory: The idea of family structure leading to gov’t through the pattern of leadership. Families had one person as the head and formed networks to form clans and tribes.

4 Theories to Explain the Origin of the State Divine Right: Stated that God created the state and gave those of royal blood the right to rule. People were bound to obey the ruler just as they would obey God. Social Contract Theory: Government is developed as the people trade freedom for protection and the meeting of individual needs. Serves the people.

3 Ways to Classify Gov’t Who can participate in gov’t? In a democracy political authority rests with the people. Where is gov’t power held? In a unitary gov’t, a single, central agency holds all gov’t powers. Most gov’t today are unitary. In a federal gov’t, a central gov’t and several local gov’t share power in a division of powers. The Constitution divides power between the national gov’t and the states so the U.S. is a federal gov’t. Relationship between the legislative and executive branches of gov’t. A presidential gov’t divides power between the branches and a parliamentary gov’t focuses power on the legislative branch which chooses members of the executive branch.

America’s commitment to freedom The American commitment to freedom is evident in the nation’s economic system. This system is often called a free enterprise system or a capitalist system because it does not rely on the gov’t to make economic decisions. Individuals make economic decisions based on the law of supply and demand. When supplies and goods are plentiful, prices drop. When supplies are limited, prices rise. The American economic system is most accurately called a mixed economy because the gov’t does play a role by regulating and promoting it. Example: Sherman Anti-Trust Act