1. U.S. History

2.  “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”- JFK  “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends…life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...”- Thomas Jefferson  “A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves.”- Edward R. Murrow  “A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against its government.”-Edward Abbey

3.  A government is a body that has the power to make and the authority to enforce rules and laws.  There are a variety of different systems of government.  Most people believe that govt. should serve the people, but to what extent is up for debate.

4.  In Authoritarian systems, one person/family has complete control over the government.  Monarchies are led by kings or emperors…power is passed down through family (hereditary).  Dictatorships are led by one powerful ruler, such as Adolf Hitler of Germany or Kim Jong Il of North Korea.  Authoritarian leaders are above the law.  Freedom is very limited in authoritarian systems since one person has all the power.

5.  In Democratic systems, citizens have the right to choose their leaders (or to become leaders themselves.) Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly on issues. Representative Democracy- citizens elect others to govern for them (this is what we have in the USA)

6.  Theocracy- a government led by a religious leader.  Oligarchy- a government ruled by an elite few.  Anarchy- The absence of government; a state of lawlessness; political disorder.

7.  National govt. (USA) deals with issues related to the entire country (defense, printing of $, taxes)  Regional govt. (Illinois) deals with state issues (schools, state laws, state taxes)  Local govt. (Chicago) deals with local issues (streets, sanitation, police)

8.  Do you think more or less government is needed to solve the problems you face?  What seems like the fairest type of government? Why?  Some say government is a necessary evil…do you agree?