Types of powers Legislative – establish laws Executive – carry out the laws Judicial – interpret laws and settles disputes - Examples?

Where are the powers outlined? The Constitution – body of fundamental laws. –Examples?

Democracy vs. Dictatorship Democracy - ultimate authority for exercise of powers are held by a majority (of the people) Dictatorship – authority held by a single person

THE STATE The dominant political unit in the world – as opposed to cities, towns,counties, etc. Defined as a body of people living in a defined territory with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority. EXAMPLES

The State (Nation or Country) Over the course of history the state has emerged as the dominant political unit in the world - as compared to cities, counties, districts, etc… Can you think of some states? List 3 or 4:

Characteristics of the state (nation/country) A. Population – lots to little - ex: oil rig B. Territory – recognized boundaries C. Sovereignty – supreme and absolute power within own territory D. Government – organized

What do you think? Discuss among yourselves how states (nations) were first created!!

Major Political Ideas of the Origin of the State Natural Law – humans living in a state of nature – if govt. didn’t exist The Force Theory – state was born of force The Evolutionary Theory – developed out of early family The Divine Right Theory – God created the state and gave those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule The Social Contract Theory – Thomas Hobbes – state arose out of a voluntary act of free people. The Declaration of Independence used this theory. (T. J.)

The purpose of Government 6 purposes/functions of the government. –Form a more perfect union –Establish justice –Insure domestic tranquility –Provide for common defense –Promote the general welfare –Secure the blessings of liberty

CHAPTER 1 SEC. 2 FORMS OF GOVERNMENT

CLASSIC FORMS OF GOV’T. Feudalism – the dominant political system in medieval Europe, local Lords bound to a king by loyalty (usually beneficial to both) Classic Republic – representative democracy in which a small group of elected leaders represent the concerns of the electorate. Ex: Greek city-states

Absolute Monarchy – King or Queen holds absolute power (control) of the military and the gov’t. Ex: Saudi Arabia Authoritarianism – an individual or group has unlimited authority, no effective restraint on the government exist. Ex. Communist Russia, Cuba or China Despotism – rule by a despot (person with absolute power). No Restraint of Power. Ex: Saddam Hussein / Iraq

Liberal Democracy – Based on protection of the individual rights and freedom by consent of the governed; protects individual rights from tyranny. Totalitarianism – Gov’t. that attempts to control all facets of citizens lives.

DICTATORSHIP Oldest and certainly most common form of gov’t. known to history. Exist where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people they rule. Gov’t is not accountable for it’s actions.

AUTOCRACY Gov’t. in which a single person (despot) holds unlimited political power.

OLIGARCHY Gov’t in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually, self-appointed elite or group. In all dictatorships, those in power hold absolute and unchallengeable authority. Modern Ex: Fascist Italy ( ) Nazi Germany ( ) Soviet Union ( s)

UNITARY GOVERNMENT Centralized gov’t. where all powers are held by a central agency. Ex: Great Britain and their Parliament.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Powers are divided between a “central” gov’t. and several local governments. Operates on a “division of powers”. Ex: United States of America

CONFEDERATION An alliance of independent nations, ruled by a central organization with representation from each nation. Usually holds limited powers over military and foreign commerce. Ex: European Union

PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT Executive and Legislative branches of gov’t. are separate, independent to one another and hold equal power. Ex: United States of America

PARLIMENTARY GOVERNMENT Executive is made up of Prime Minister or Premier and that official’s cabinet. The Prime Minister and the cabinet are themselves members of the legislative branch (The Parliament). Ex: Great Britain, Canada & Japan

Basic Concepts of Democracy 5 notions 1. Worth of the individual – fundamental importance of individual – regardless of station in life. At times, the welfare of some is less important than the interests of the many Examples: paying taxes, stop signs, registering for draft (Military Service). 2. Equality of All Persons – equality of opportunity and equality before the law. Not necessarily equality of conditions.

Majority Rule – Minority Rights 3. Majority Rule, Minority Rights – democracy argues that a majority of people will be right more often than they are wrong – majority rule restrained by minority rights.

Compromise 4. Necessity of Compromise – public decision making is largely a matter of give- and-take among competing interests. Compromise is process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests examples: Social security compromise

Individual Freedom 5. Individual freedom – not complete freedom because could lead to anarchy. The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System American economic system often called the free enterprise system: 4 fundamental factors: 1. private ownership 2. individual initiative 3. profit 4. competition

How the System Works Free enterprise system – capitalism – private enterprise – market based system are terms used interchangeably Decisions about what, how much, price are made by the market (NOT GOVERNMENT) through law of supply and demand. Law of supply and demand states when supplies become plentiful, prices drop and vice-versa.

Government and the Free Enterprise System Basis of American economic system is free market, but government regulates and promotes. This is called a mixed economy. Examples: pure food and drug laws, pollution laws

Chapter 1 Sec. 3 Basic Concepts of Democracy 5 Notions 1. Worth of the individual – fundamental importance of individual – regardless of station in life. At times, the welfare of some is less important than the interests of the many Examples: paying taxes, stop signs, registering for draft (Military Service). 2. Equality of All Persons – equality of opportunity and equality before the law. Not necessarily equality of conditions.

Majority Rule – Minority Rights 3. Majority Rule, Minority Rights – democracy argues that a majority of people will be right more often than they are wrong – majority rule restrained by minority rights.

Compromise 4. Necessity of Compromise – public decision making is largely a matter of give-and-take among competing interests. Compromise is process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests examples: Social security compromise

Individual Freedom 5. Individual freedom – not complete freedom because, which could lead to anarchy. The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.

Democracy and the Free Enterprise System American economic system often called the free enterprise system: 4 fundamental factors: 1. private ownership 2. individual initiative 3. profit 4. competition

How the System Works Free enterprise system – capitalism – private enterprise – market based system are terms used interchangeably Decisions about what, how much, price are made by the market (NOT GOVERNMENT) through law of supply and demand. Law of supply and demand states when supplies become plentiful, prices drop and vice-versa.

Government and the Free Enterprise System Basis of American economic system is free market, but government regulates and promotes. This is called a mixed economy. Examples: pure food and drug laws, pollution laws