Origins of Government

Forms Of Government As distinguished by Aristotle

Ruled by One, a Few, and All

Political Triangle

Libertarian

Libertarianism

Totalitarian

Socialism

authoritarianism

U.S.S.R Authoritarian

Saudi Arabia

USA

Great Britain

Nazi Germany

Sweden Japan

Foundations Classical Ancient philosophers

Greek and Roman Direct and representative Democracy

Natural Philosophers Colonial historyConclusion: Government should be the servant of the

people Aristotle

Government should be limited by a higher law or Constitution

Why do we have governments John Locke=political philosopher

Natural rights philosophy What would life be if there was no

government? = state of nature Our Human Nature

Self-interest Not all people are good

The need for a Government The need for authority The need to protect natural rights from human

nature Legitimate Government = consent from

the peopleI.e. a representative democracy

Illegitimate Government = no consent from the people

i.e. a totalitarian governmentSocial Contract

Agreement between government and the people

What if Government does not do its job According to John Locke =

Government obtains its authority from the people = Social Contract

People give authority People can take it away The right to revolution

Constitutional Governments

Constitutional Governments A Constitutional Government has limits

Limited Governments = restrains in the power of government Constitution = customs, traditions, rules, and

laws a government operated under Written and unwritten

Unlimited Governments = no retrains in the power of government

A Constitution is the higher law of a nation

Characteristics Provides the basic rights to all citizens It gives government a set of

responsibilities Acknowledges private domain

government cannot interfere in certain areas of individuals’ lives

Gives government limitations Open to the change of time

The Founders’ view on Constitutional Governments

Characteristics of a Constitution Provides the basic rights to all citizens It gives government a set of responsibilities Private domain

government cannot interfere in certain areas of individuals’ lives

Gives Government limitations Open to the change of time

A Constitution should place limits on government Limited Governments Unlimited Governments

Totalitarianism Dictatorship

Constitutional Governments Constitution = customs, traditions,

rules, and laws that a government operates under Written and unwritten

USA and UK What is an “unwritten” Constitution?

Written The “written” Constitution

Unwritten President’s cabinet Congressional Committees Political Parties Judicial Review

Democracy Compromises different political

formulas Belief in open society, civil rights, and

free elections Voting majority override minority Human rights

The Common Good Serving everybody in the country

Working to help others and promote the common good = civic virtue

The founding fathers thought civic virtue was important for a republican government. 

A Republican Government The founding fathers believed most of

the people had civic virtue distrustful of direct democracies

Representative vs Direct the people elect

representatives to carry out their wishes in government for them.

government exists to serve the people, not vice-versa.

If the leaders do not live up to the expectations, those leaders will not get re-elected for more terms of office.

all voters in a community meet to make laws

All voters determine what actions to take.

works with small groups.

Representative Democracy

Pillars of Democracy Sovereignty of the people Government based upon consent of the governed Majority rule Minority rights Guarantee of basic human rights Free and fair elections Equality before the law Due process of law Constitutional limits on government Social, economic, and political pluralism Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and

compromise

Five Cornerstones of an ideal Democracy Robert A. Dahl

Equality of voting Effective participation Enlighten understanding Citizen control the agenda inclusion