Why Study Government?

What is the purpose of Government?

Participation in Government

Why Study American Politics?

Is burning the American flag an act of free speech?

Should the government be allowed to seize private property?

Are the principles of the Constitution still relevant today?

Participation in Government

Government – institution through which a society createsand enforces its public policies.

Participation in Government

Public Policy – things government decides to do

Participation in Government

Democracy – Power and policies are created by a majority ofthe people.

Dictatorship – Power and policies are created by a singleperson or small group

Aristocracy – a few, elite citizens create public policy

Forms of Government:

The StateState – body of people, living in a defined area, with government

and the power to create public policy.

Palestine:

A nation without a state

Nation does notinclude physicalboundaries

Oneida Nation?

NationNation – community of people who share a common language,

culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history

Nation-StateNation-State – The state is a political and geopolitical entity; the nation is a cultural and/or ethnic entity. The term "nation state" implies that the two geographically coincide

Origins of the State

Force Theory - Person or small group claimed control over an area and forced all within to submit to the rule of the group or individual.

Origins of the State

The Evolutionary Theory - government is a extension of thefamily “head of house” structure

Network of families

Clans

Tribes

Origins of the State

The Divine Right Theory – God created the state, grant power tothose of “Royal Birth” (Divine Right)

Origins of the State

Social Contract Theory

Enlightenment Thinkers

State of Nature

People give up freedomfor protection

State created and limitedby the people

The Purpose of Government:

http://ihcgoveco.wordpress.com

Where did our government come from?

Where did our government come from?

British Colonists

Established politicalsystem

Laws, Institutions

Romans

Limited and Representative GovernmentGovernment is not all-powerful

Unalienable Rights of people

Serve the will of the people

Congress:

SenateHouse of Representatives

Historical Governing Documents:

Magna Carta (1215) – Limited the power of King John (England)

Trail by Jury (Due Process)

Equal Protection

No taxes without people’sconsent

King John

Historical Governing Documents:

Articles of Confederation Strengths:

Post Revolution

Small National Government

Make War and Peace

Treaties

Post Office

Army and Navy

Weights and Measures

Historical Governing Documents:

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses:

No Power to Tax

No Power to regulate trade betweenStates

No power to enforce polices in states

Not flexible

Constitution:Six Basic Principles:

Popular Sovereignty

Limited Government

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Judicial Review

Federalism