1. Chapter 1 Principles of Government and Politics
Section 1 Introducing Politics and Government

2. Politics = A struggle over who gets what, when, and how
What Is Politics?
Politics = A struggle over who gets what, when, and how
Politics uses power and scarce resources. ($$$)
Politics attempts to reach a political goal.
Politics produces winners and losers.
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3. Political Activities
Question: What would you consider a political activity?
Question: What types of political activities do you take part in?
Answer: Persuading, coaxing, compromising, bargaining, and cooperating are all examples of political behavior because they help people attain their goals.
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4. Politics and Government
Politics is a process.
Government is an organization.
Each government exercises authority over a state or nation.
Politics shapes the rules that a state uses to regulate how power is distributed.
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5. Purposes of Government
The purposes of government are to:
Maintain social order
Ensure domestic tranquility
Establish justice
Provide for the common defense
Promote the general welfare
Secure liberty
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6. Government and Economics
Economics: Production and distribution of goods and services
Varies according to country
Economic systems: Distribution of resources in a society
Differs according to government control over economy
Note to teachers: Emphasize that capitalism is often called a “free enterprise system” or a “market economy,” and that in a pure form of this system, the government has no role to play. Also discuss that the United States is a mixed economy because there is some government control. Next, discuss socialism and explain that it can also be called a “command economy” because the government, or government planners, “command” the interplay of goods and services.
Finally, explain how social democracy is a mixture of ideas from socialism and capitalism.
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7. Your Turn
Under which of the following economic systems would the government own all the land, factories, and businesses in the society?
Laissez-faire capitalism
Socialist or command economy
Regulated capitalist economy
Social democracy
Note to teachers: The correct answer to this question is b.
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8. Different Political Systems
There are two broad types of political systems:
Authoritarian: Government has ultimate power over how people live their lives. It can be totalitarian or it can limit its own power. Example: Nazi Germany
Nonauthoritarian: Ultimate power rests with the people in the state. Example: United States
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9. Authoritarian Systems
Autocracy: One powerful individual
Monarchy: Powerful king or queen, inherited position, not always authoritarian
Fascism: Powerful state, dictator as leader
Oligarchy: Powerful small group
Theocracy: Sovereign God, powerful representative on earth
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10. Nonauthoritarian Systems
Anarchy: Neither government nor laws
Why might this be a difficult system in which to live?
Democracy: Government by the people
All-powerful populace
Certain rights guaranteed
Direct democracy: Government with people standing up for themselves
Majority rule by voter decision
Indirect democracy: Government with elected leaders representing the people
Note to teachers: Anarchy would be a difficult system to live in because there is no order. How does one organize to do anything in a system that believes in no order or rules? Point this out to students. Also point out there are no current systems that follow this model.
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11. Your Turn
Citizenship allows members of a government to take part in certain rights and responsibilities. What are the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy?
Note to teachers: Students should brainstorm a list of things that citizenship entails in a democracy. Write that list down on the board.
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