1. American Government
Politics in Action

2. Government- The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Government is the way that a society accomplishes the “things it decides to do”. 3 Basic Kinds of Power that every government has and uses… LEGISLATIVE- Creating laws and policies EXECUTIVE- The power to execute, enforce and administer the law JUDICIAL- Interpretation and meaning of laws, settling of disputes
Question: Which part of the government represents each Power?

3. Terms to Know…
Constitution- The fundamental laws that set principles, structures and processes of
government
Dictatorship- Power is held by a single person
Democracy- Supreme authority rests with the people
State- A body of people living in a defined territory, politically organized
and has the power to make and enforce laws
Population- The number of people living in a particular territory or country
Territory- The amount of land controlled by a state or region
Sovereignty- The government has power to enforce its policies
Question: Give an example of a modern leader showing they have sovereignty.

4. Major Political Ideas that Shape the Creation of Government
Force Theory- One person or small group claimed control
over an area and forced all within to submit
to their rule
Evolutionary Theory- Government occurred naturally over
time based on need
Divine Right Theory- Claiming to have God’s consent to rule
Social Contract Theory- People agreeing to come together
and form a state.
Question: Which theory listed above most closely matches
the intended nature of our federal government? Why?

5. The Purpose of Government as described in the Constitution
Form a More Perfect Union- The desire to create a government
that improves on past forms
Establish Justice- The law must be reasonable, fair and impartial
Insure Domestic Tranquility- Order in society that avoids anarchy or dictatorship
Provide for the Common Defense- Defense against foreign enemies
Promote the General Welfare- Provide services for citizen’s happiness
Secure the Blessings of Liberty- Guarantees and Rights designed to ensure liberty
Question: In your own words describe what
“JUSTICE” is.

6. Forms of Government- Based on who is able to participate in a
Particular government structure…
Democracy- The people are represented through their consent,
both direct and representative
Dictatorship- Those who rule not accountable to people, both
Autocracy and Oligarchy
How Power is Distributed- Unitary, Federal, Confederation
Only one level OR Divided between national and local OR
Independent countries that join together (EU)
Question: Which form of government
Does the United States operate under?

7. Relationships Between Legislative and Executive Branches
Presidential Government- A separation of powers between
the executive and legislative branches. A president is the
elected head of the executive branch.
Parliamentary Government- Majority Rule of the legislature
to select an executive, usually a prime minister. Can change
when the executive loses support of the majority.
Question: How does the president maintain their power, and how does the
Prime Minister maintain their power?

8. Basic Concepts of Democracy
A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person;
2. A respect for the equality of all persons;
3. A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights;
4. An acceptance of the necessity of compromise;
5. An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom
Question: Which of the basic concepts do you feel is most important to our government
and explain why?

9. Democracy and the Free Enterprise System
The American economic system is often called the free enterprise system,
characterized by private ownership of capital goods, investment by private
decision, success or failure determined by competition.
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVE PROFIT COMPETITION
Capitalism- per Adam Smith, market based
Law of Supply and Demand- sets prices
Mixed Economy- Government participates in economy
Question: Describe 1 shortcoming or criticism for each of the three terms above

10. Our Political Beginnings: Basic Concepts of Government
Ordered Government- The idea that the government is set up
in an orderly and systematic fashion.
Limited Government- That the federal government is limited in
it’s size and impact on society. Not too big!
Representative Government- That the federal government is
accountable to the people through their representatives who
advocate for the people before the government.
Question: Give an example of how the US Government handles each
of the 3 concepts listed above

11. Landmark English Documents that Influenced the
U.S. Constitution
The Magna Carta- English Barons advocating for rights before
the government of King John. Especially important for the
concepts of due process and the effect on the absolute power
of monarchs.
The Petition of Right- Limited the king’s power by punishment
only to be determined by the due process of individuals and not
the arbitrary wishes of the monarch.
The English Bill of Rights- The document listing specific rights that
William and Mary had to sign in order to ascend to the throne
of England.
Question: What is DUE PROCESS? Explain in your own words!

12. Motivations for the Desire to Achieve Independence
Taxation without Representation
Desire to Join Together into a More Powerful Confederation
Growing Colonial Unity
League of Friendship- protection against Native Americans
The Albany Plan- More economic aim at protection of business
against the French and Native Americans
Stamp Act Congress- A reaction to unfair taxation. Resulted in
protests and boycotts
Question: Who determined taxes on the colonies and for what reason given?

13. The First Continental Congress- Organized as a result of the Intolerable Acts,
and debated what their response to the King and Parliament would be. They
pushed for a repeal of the Acts, but that did not happen. Agreed to meet
again in the future.
The Second Continental Congress- Became the first and de facto government
of the United States until the creation of the Articles of Confederation. Each
“State” had one vote, conducting both legislative and executive powers.
State Constitutions- by 1777 most States drafted individual constitutions
that only regulated laws in their particular territories.
Popular Sovereignty- A common feature of state constitutions.
Government can exist only with the consent of the governed.
Question: In what specific ways does the people practice popular sovereignty?

14. Declaration of Independence
We will now produce a PLAN Worksheet for the provided Declaration of Independence.
You must answer each of the following questions in addition to the PLAN…
What “truths” in the second paragraph are “self-evident”?
Name the three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration.
From what source do governments derive their “just powers”?
In the series of paragraphs beginning, “He has refused his Assent,”
to whom does the word “he” refer to?