1. Power,
Authority,
and Government
Pineda
Government

2. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
I. Mins 1-30
The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

3. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Learning Outcomes
Understand why it is important to care about power, politics, and government.
Evaluate and rate multiple ‘power quotes’ using the rating scale provided in class.
Create a chart that portrays the five “political games” that are commonly played in politics.

4. Kickoff Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Q1 Make a list of one institution,
individual and circumstance
that have power over you. For
each item, write a short
description describing how the
item has authority to
control you
For example:
Mother / Father: my parents have control over my life because they provide me with shelter, clothing, and food.

5. Focus Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Q2 Why should you care about
power, politics, and government?

6. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
History: Most Americans Distrust Gov…
Still…We Look to Gov. to Provide For Us
Formal Authority = Legal and Official
Legitimacy = We ‘Accept’ That They Lead
John Locke = Social Contract = Give to Get
How Can Gov. Give Us What We Want?
A Gov. Must Use Coercion and Collect $$$
Politics= People Work to Influence Groups
Politics = Competition = A Game
Why Should You Care About Power, Politics, and Government?

7. Evaluating Power Quotes
Connecting the Notes
Read each of the quotes on the
following slides. Then give each
quote a truth rating. Provide a
short explanation of why you rated
each quote the way you did.

8. “ ” Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.
Processing Q3 “
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.
We have guided missiles and misguided men. ”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Strength to Love, 1963
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 8 8

9. Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Processing Q4 “
Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. ”
Lord Acton
Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 9 9

10. “ ” It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing
Processing “ Q5
It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing
power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the
scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it. ”
Aung San Suu Kyi
“Freedom from fear” speech, 1990
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 10 10

11. Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
Processing Q6 “
Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun. ”
Mao Zedong
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 11 11

12. “ ” Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no
Processing “ Q7
Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no
weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable
as the will and moral courage of free men and women. ”
Ronald Reagan
First Inaugural Address, 1981
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 12 12

13. “
Processing
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail. Q8 ”
Mohandas Gandhi
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 13 13

14. Processing Q9 “
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. ”
Jimi Hendrix
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 14 14

15. “ ” This country has been strip-mined by
Processing “
Q10
This country has been strip-mined by
rich and powerful interests. If you don’t
like what they’re doing, don’t just sit there. ”
Ralph Nader
1992
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 15 15

16. The men who create power make an
Q11
Processing “
The men who create power make an
indispensable contribution to the Nation’s greatness, but the men who question power make a contribution just as indispensable. ”
John F. Kennedy
Speech at Amherst College, 1963
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 16 16

17. Five "Political Games"
Game
Description
Example

18. Cesar Chavez and the Grape Strike Roman Army Third Punic War
Five "Political Games"
Game
Description
Example
Horse Trading
Give up something in exchange for something of equal or greater value. Win-win situation.
Missouri Compromise
Walkout
Walk out and refuse to return until the opposition agrees to give them something they want.
Cesar Chavez and the Grape Strike
Power Struggle
Trying to win by outfoxing or overpowering their opponents. A Machiavelli idea.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Demolition Derby
The goal is complete destruction of your opponent. Eliminate real and perceived enemies.
Roman Army Third Punic War
Civil Disobedience
Publicly shame the opposition by deliberately disobeying what they think is an unjust law.
Mohandas Gandhi

19. Exit Slip: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Q12. Which of the power quotes do
you feel is most true about your
own life?

20. II. Mins 31-60
Five Sources of Power

21. Learning Outcomes Five Sources of Power
Construct a diagram that shows the five sources of power commonly used by people in a position of authority.
Read the primary source document by Machiavelli titled “The Prince”, and answer questions based on your analysis of the document.

22. Kickoff Question: Five Sources of Power
Create your own quote about your
impression of power in your
own life.

23. Focus Question: Five Sources of Power
How do leaders exercise their
power to get citizens to act
a certain way?

24. Five Sources of Power Power Expertise Formal Authority Coercion
Persuasion
Rewards

25. Five Sources of Power Power Expertise Formal Authority Coercion
Power derives from
the power holder’s
specific skills or
expertise.
Formal Authority
Power comes from
the holder’s
position and duties
within organization.
Coercion
Power springs from
the power holder’s
ability to punish or
penalize others.
Power
Persuasion
Power flows from
the power holder’s
ability to persuade
or influence others.
Rewards
Power comes from
the power holder’s
ability to give
something of value.
(such as money)

26. Primary Source: Machiavelli- The Prince
Assignment Directions
Read the primary source document
then answer the questions
that follow. SKIP!

27. III. Mins 61-90
Comparing Forms of
Government

28. Comparing Forms of Government
Learning Outcomes
Evaluate various ways that political power is distributed in a society.
Design a visual that explains and analyzes the pros and cons of various forms of government around the world.
Use your pro and con visual to sketch symbols that represent the seven different forms of government.

29. Kickoff Question: Comparing Forms of Government
In your opinion, which of the
following groups should have the
power to make the rules at your
school and why?
Principal
Student Council
Student Body
Teachers
Other (Specify)

30. Focus Question: Comparing Forms of Government
Q2 How should political and
economic power be distributed in
a society?

31. Comparing Forms of Government
All Societies Develop Gov.- Simple or Not?
Many Forms and Varieties of Gov.
Monarchy: Rule by 1 Hereditary Ruler
Theocracy: Rule by Few Religious Leaders
Single-Party: Political Elite (Communism)
Direct Democracy: Rule by ALL Citizens
Parliamentary Dem: Legislative Majority
President Dem: Rep. of People (US)
Federalism: National, State, Local
How Should Political Power Be Distributed in a Society?

32. Parliamentary Democracy Presidential Democracy
Analyzing Forms of Government
Term
Definition
Pro
Con
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Theocracy
Single-Party State
Direct Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Presidential Democracy

33. Analyzing Forms of Government
Term
Definition
Pro
Con
Monarchy
1 rule exercises power based on divine right.
Clear line of succession.
Quality of leadership can vary.
Dictatorship
1 ruler based on control of military and police.
1 person can get things done quickly.
Power can be used to abuse citizens.
Theocracy
Government by religious leaders.
1 Religion promotes political unity.
Religious minorities often persecuted.
Single-Party State
1 political party allowed to govern.
Easier to pass laws.
People with different views shut out.
Direct Democracy
Citizens vote directly by ballot.
Each citizen has an equal say.
Very time-consuming for citizens.
Parliamentary Democracy
Voters elect lawmakers, lawmakers choose leader
Majority votes with Prime Minister.
No real ‘check’ on Prime Minister.
Presidential Democracy
Voters elect lawmakers and elect President.
Separation of Power allows ‘check’.
Gridlock when Pres. not from maj. party.

34. Sketching Symbols for Forms of Government
Connecting the Notes
Q3 Design a union logo / flag for a
group of factory workers.
Q4 Make a protest sign for union
workers on strike that
explains why they are striking.

35. Exit Slip: Comparing Forms of Government
Q5 If the United States had to get
rid of our current system of government,
which form of government would
you suggest we adopt? Explain.

36. Homework Review
1. Ideological Spectrum
2. These notes