Foundations of Government

Section 1 Focus What is government? What are the major characteristics of a state? What are the major functions of government? What theories of rule have been put forth to explain government? The Purposes of Government

Foundations of Government is “Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem.” Ronald Reagan Do you agree with this? Why do many Americans dislike “the government?” Could society exist without government?

Foundations of Government Section 1 at a Glance Government The formal structures and institutions through which decisions are made for a group of people.

Foundations of Government What Is Government? Three main components of government People—Elected officials with authority and control over others; public servants who carry out day-to-day governmental business. Power— To make and enforce laws, to settle disputes and protect rights. Policy— Actions by the government in pursuit of a goal.

Foundations of Government What makes the United States (or any other country) “one nation?” Characteristics of a State

Foundations of Government What makes the United States (or any other country) “one nation?” Characteristics of a State Population Territory Government Sovereignty

Foundations of Government State: political unit with the power to make and enforce laws over a group of people living within a clearly defined territory Characteristics of a State Characteristics: Population—Must have people; number does not matter Territory—Must have clearly defined and recognized borders Government—Must have a government that issues and enforces rules for the people living within its territory; government must be recognized from within and by other nation states in the international community Sovereignty—Must have supreme power to act within its territory and to control its external affairs

Foundations of Government Origins of the state How did government begin in human society?

Foundations of Government Origins of the State The force theory states that one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule. The force theory states that one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule.

Foundations of Government Origins of the State The evolutionary theory argues that the state evolved naturally out of the early family. The evolutionary theory argues that the state evolved naturally out of the early family.

Foundations of Government Origins of the State The theory of divine right holds that God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule. The theory of divine right holds that God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule.

Foundations of Government Origins of the State The social contract theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people. The social contract theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people.

Foundations of Government What if…?

Foundations of Government Ensure National Security Guard its territory and its people against external threats Create and maintain national defense forces including military personnel, weaponry, and operations, as well as peacekeeping missions Maintain good relations with other nations (diplomacy) Functions of Government

Foundations of Government Maintain Order Laws help maintain order and protect rights, property, and lives Must have clear rules for unacceptable behavior and consequences Different societies have different ideas about lawful behavior and appropriate punishment Must have the ability to identify and punish wrongdoers Functions of Government

Foundations of Government Resolve Conflict Conflicts are resolved through the justice system. People and groups try to influence government decisions through politics.

Foundations of Government Provide Services People pay taxes to fund services such as parks, mail, and education Public goods include clean water, parks, and roads; restricted services may include medical care, high schools, and public housing

Foundations of Government Provide for the Public Good Taking actions that benefit the people. Definitions of “public” and “public good” change over time. What is “good” for one group of people is often not “good” for another group. These questions are addressed through the political process

Foundations of Government Section 2 Focus What are the classic forms of government? How is national power organized differently in unitary, federal and confederal systems? The Forms of Government

Foundations of Government Section 2 Focus What are the classic forms of government? How is national power organized differently in unitary, federal, and confederal systems? In what ways do presidential and parliamentary systems differ? Forms of Government

Foundations of Government

Monarchy Government is headed by one person with supreme authority In absolute monarchy, powers are unlimited and unchecked Constitutional monarchy most common form today –Monarch is ceremonial head of state –Real power belongs to another part of the government Dictatorship One person, or a small group of people, holds unlimited power Power is maintained by force Most dictators head authoritarian or totalitarian regimes An oligarchy is led by a small group of people Dictatorships can be secular or theocracies The Classic Forms

Foundations of Government Democracy “Rule by the people” In a pure democracy, the people make major government decisions through a process of majority rule. In a direct democracy, such as Athens, citizens meet regularly to discuss issues and vote for leaders. Athens was actually an elite-based system. In a republic, the people elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. In a representative democracy, the people are the source of authority. – Elected representatives closely follow the wishes of the people – Elections are free and fair – Everyone can participate equally in the political process

Foundations of Government

National power Consists of a number of smaller administrative units Control can be centralized or spread across geographic regions Federal systems Divides power between a national government and smaller regional governments Levels act independently, but cannot abolish or reorganize the other level Unitary systems Sovereignty rests in a single, national government with ultimate authority Has the power to change or abolish local governments Confederal systems Independent states join forces in a central government States delegate limited powers to the central government for common interests Organizing National Power

Foundations of Government Section 3 Focus Why are the ideals of liberty, equality and self-government important to American democracy? What are the basic principles of American democracy? Why is the free-enterprise system important to American democracy? Democracy the United States

Foundations of Government Ideal—Conception of something in its most perfect form Core ideals of American democracy—Liberty, equality, self-government Used from the beginning of our republic Recorded in our nation’s founding documents Still guide our government Basic Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Liberty Ability of people to act and think as they choose. Choices must do no harm to the liberty or well-being of others. Freedom from government control. Freedom to exercise citizens’ rights guaranteed under the Constitution Core Ideals of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Equality All people possess a fundamental, moral worth. Their worth entitles them to fair treatment and equal opportunity. Equality must be balanced with liberty to avoid despotism Core Ideals of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Self-Government All people can rule themselves and do so as political equals. People are the ultimate source of government authority. Governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed. People have a right to revolt against a government that has lost their consent. Core Ideals of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Worth of the Individual People can reach their highest potential if they are free to pursue their own path in life. Democracy values individual freedom, personal responsibility, self-reliance, and individual achievement. Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Rule of Law “A government of laws, not of men” Everyone in society – even government leaders -- is bound by the law. The Constitution is the fundamental law which limits the power of government. Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Majority Rule, Minority Rights Decision making by majority rule, balanced by minority rights Individual rights are protected under a liberal democracy Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Compromise Ability of two opposing groups to give up some demands and reach agreement. Necessary to keep the political process moving Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Citizen Participation Citizens must be informed about public issues There are many ways to participate peacefully, respectfully, and with tolerance Principles of American Democracy

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation House, Senate reach agreement on health care reform bill Leaders of the House of Representatives and Senate finally settled the differences in two proposals to overhaul the nation’s health care system.

Foundations of Government African-American couple wins lawsuit Bill and Mary Jones were awarded $100,000 in circuit court after a judge ruled against a real estate agent who deliberately kept them from seeing homes for sale in a white neighborhood. Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation

Foundations of Government Gay/lesbian march considered successful Leaders of the gay/lesbian community declared Saturday’s “March for Marriage” a success. Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation School forced to accommodate disabled student The three-story Looville High School will be required to install a new elevator so that a wheelchair-using student can attend classes in the top floor science labs.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation Officials announce location of new landfill After nearly two years of negotiating, Staunton and Augusta County officials have decided to locate the new landfill in Ft. Defiance, adjacent to the high school property.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation Half-way house to open in Hill Street neighborhood Despite the loud objections of many residents, a city judge ruled that a half-way house for convicted felons has a legal right to operate at the planned location on Hill Street.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation 5 th grade girl organizes backpack drive Sara Smith, a local 5 th grader, has worked with her Girl Scout troop to get over 100 backpacks filled with school supplies donated for needy children.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation Labor union allowed to protest A federal judge ruled that labor union members must be permitted to protest on the sidewalk outside the factory where they work.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation Community outraged over judge’s ruling After complaints by several Jewish students, Terryville High School cheerleaders will no longer be allowed to display banners with gospel verses at football games.

Foundations of Government Identify the concept of democracy that matches each newspaper headline. Worth of the individual Rule of law. Majority rule, minority rights. Need for compromise Citizen participation Augusta County supervisors, school board, settle on teacher salaries County supervisors and the school board finally reached a deal on the size of teacher raises for next year.

Foundations of Government Free Enterprise Economic System Ensures economic freedom Free enterprise allows both people and businesses to make their own economic choices Key to preserving other freedoms and to allowing people to build wealth, thereby empowering them to limit governmental power Where the government’s role in the economy is minimal, economic freedoms thrive. Where the government plays a major role in the economy, people may have fewer economic freedoms.