Intro To Government Intro to Government

What makes up the government? Intro Intro What makes up the government?

Introductory Terms Intro to Government

Intro Basic Vocab Power Authority Legitimacy The ability to make someone do something Authority The legal claim to power Legitimacy The public recognition and acceptance of power

Intro Basic Vocab Policy Politics Transparency Anything the government does, any stance or goal of the govt. Politics The way we decide who gets what. Transparency The ability of the people to see what the government does

Intro States State Characteristics of a State The set of institutions that have ultimate authority over a particular territory Characteristics of a State Population: Territory: Government: Sovereignty: Must have people to rule over or to serve Must have space to control and defend Needs a system to make and carry out policy Must be able to carry out actions without interference from others

Enforce / Carry Out Policy Intro Basic Branches Legislature Executive Judiciary Make Policy Enforce / Carry Out Policy Interpret Policy

Classifying Governments Intro to Government

Governments Classifcation Ways to classify governments Classify according to who controls the government Classify according to how the government rules over the territory Classify according to voter control of the policy making branches

Governments Classification Who holds the power in the government? Democracy People hold the power Autocracy One person holds the power Oligarchy A small, elite group holds the power Theocracy Religious leaders hold the power Aristocracy Wealthy land owners hold the power

Governments Classification How does the government control the territory? unitary federal confederation One central government only A big central government shares power with smaller local governments An alliance of small, local, but sovereign governments

Governments Classification How does the government control the territory? unitary federal confederation Best suited for nation states or for countries with smaller territories Used in countries in large territories, helps to control and to serve local needs Usually an early form of more centralized government Ex: France, United Kingdom, China Ex: United States, Canada, Russia Ex: Articles of Confederation, EU

Governments Classification How do the people control the policy making? Presidential Government Parliamentary Government Voters elect: Voters elect: Legislative Branch Executive Branch Legislative Branch Then, they elect Executive Branch

The executive and legislature will have to compromise Governments Classification The executive and legislature will have to compromise Presidential Will respond to will of the people much slower and more moderate changes will result The executive was chosen to carry out legislative goals, they already agree on policy agenda Parliamentary Change can happen quickly; policy changes may swing wildly from election to election

Foundations of Democracy Intro to Government

Democracy Basic Ideas Individual Worth Political equality Each person is important (gets to vote) Political equality The law (govt) treats all people the same way Majority Rule, Minority Rights Majority will make decisions but freedoms of others must be protected Compromise Find results that are acceptable to the largest number of people Individual Freedom Each person gets maximum level of freedom, until it begins to limit freedom of others

Democracy Principles of Govt. Popular Sovereignty Federalism The govt exists with the consent of the governed and its goal it to serve the will of the people Federalism Power is shared between the national government and the states Limited government The government only has as much power as we allow it. Outlined in US Constitution Separation of Powers with Checks & Balances Power is divided between branches that have power to limit one another’s power Judicial Review The courts have the power to declare acts of government unconstitutional

Democracy Economic Principles Market Based Economies Property is owned by individuals, not the government Economic decisions are made by individuals and businesses, not the govt. Competition among businesses results in benefits for consumers Economic incentives drive performance, not govt. directives Which of these are problematic in the US?

Democracy Mixed Economy US Govt involvement in the economy Government acts to protect the consumers Government gives incentives for needed economic activity Government promotes competition among businesses Government provides public goods Government incentivizes desired actions of consumers

Bigly Ideas Intro to Government

History Wrap Up Basic Vocab Presidential/Parliamentary Democratic Principles Mixed Economy Focus on these things: