Principles of Government Chapter 1 Section 1 Government and the State

Four Characteristics of a State Population - How many people does a place have to have to be considered a state in the U.S.? Territory - Land – with known boundaries

3. Sovereignty - absolute power – makes its own decisions on all topics. What about Minnesota? 4. Government - Every state has a government - An institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies.

4 Theories of the Origins of a State Force Theory - One person or small group claimed control over an area and forced all within it to submit to their rule. - When that rule was established, all the basic elements of the state were present

2. Evolutionary Theory - The state developed naturally out of the early family. - early families usually had a person who was the “head” of the family and thus the government.

3. Divine Right Theory - 15th-18th centuries – God created the state and that God had given those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule

4. Social Contract Theory - Most significant of the theories as it applies to the American political system. - Philosophers – Thomas Hobbes, James Harrington, John Locke – England & Jean Jacques Rousseau - France

Social Contract Theory cont. - The state exists only to serve the will of the people, that they are the sole source of political power, and that they are free to give or withhold that power as they choose.

What are six purposes of the American system of government? Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty Where are these six phrases from? Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

Vocabulary – Chapter 1 Government - the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies Public Policy - something the government decides to do about a certain issue

Vocab Legislative Power - The power to make laws Executive Power - the power to enforce and administer laws Judicial Power - The power to interpret laws and settle disputes

Vocab Constitution - A body of fundamental laws that sets out the principles, structures, and processes of government Dictatorship - Government in which those who rule are not responsible to the will of the people

Vocab Democracy - government in which power rests with the people State - A body of people living in a defined area who have a government and the power to make and enforce laws without the consent of higher authority Sovereign - Having supreme and absolute power