The Study of GovernmentThe Study of Government Aristotle was one of

the first to study government.

It was from Greece and Rome that we get many government terms

- i.e. Politic, democracy, republic

The State The term state and country mean the same thing State: a political community that occupies a defined

territory, has an organized gov't that makes and enforce laws free from any higher authority

State, what does it mean to you?

The StateThe State

Why do we think of states the way we do? Why do we think of states the way we do?

The 13 original colonies, when separating from Britain, The 13 original colonies, when separating from Britain, considered themselves individual countriesconsidered themselves individual countries

The term United States means “united countries”The term United States means “united countries”

Remains a term for political units in the U.S.Remains a term for political units in the U.S.

The StateThe State

Nation:Nation: any sizable group of people that are united by any sizable group of people that are united by common bondscommon bonds

-I.E.-I.E. race, language, custom, religion etc. race, language, custom, religion etc.

Usually the boundaries of a nation are the same as a Usually the boundaries of a nation are the same as a state/countrystate/country

-This is where we get the reference of the -This is where we get the reference of the nation-statenation-state

Nations exists with in the boundaries of a state/countryNations exists with in the boundaries of a state/country

- i.e. Palestine, French speaking Canadians, Native - i.e. Palestine, French speaking Canadians, Native Americans, areas in African, etcAmericans, areas in African, etc

Features of the StateFeatures of the State

There are four elements that a state consists of:

- population, territory, sovereignty, and government

PopulationPopulation

The basic element of the state: the group that inhabit an area

Stable populations have a consensus / general beliefs

TerritoryTerritory

The area inside the est. The area inside the est. boundaries of a stateboundaries of a state

This can result in diplomatic This can result in diplomatic tensions or wartensions or war

A state's boundaries can A state's boundaries can change over timechange over time

SovereigntySovereignty

A key characteristic of a stateA key characteristic of a state

A state has absolute authority within its territorial A state has absolute authority within its territorial boundariesboundaries

- make laws, shape foreign policy, etc.- make laws, shape foreign policy, etc.

In theory, no sovereign state can tell another what to In theory, no sovereign state can tell another what to dodo

In practice, economically and militarily stronger In practice, economically and militarily stronger nations have more powernations have more power

GovernmentGovernment

Every state has some type Every state has some type of governmentof government

Institution that maintains Institution that maintains social order, provides public social order, provides public services, and enforces the services, and enforces the polices that people are to polices that people are to live bylive by

Origins of the StateOrigins of the State

Where did the idea of the state or government come from?

- There are many theories, but no clear answer.

The TheoriesThe Theories

There are four main theories we will look at…1. Evolutionary Theory

2. Force Theory

3. Divine Right Theory

4. Social Contract Theory

Evolutionary TheoryEvolutionary Theory

Believe the state emerged from the family

The family head acted as its govt

- Could be hundreds of people w/t extended family

Based on the Bible’s Old Testament, referring to Abraham’s family

Force TheoryForce Theory

Early civilizations people built walled cities and leaders had soldiers who fought wars

Force theory says gov’t emerged when one person/ group took control by use of power

Divine Right TheoryDivine Right Theory

Idea that the gods chose the rulers: Divine Right1400’s, monarchs said their right to rule came from GodPeople thought God made the state and rulersSubjects did not oppose because it would be treason and sin

Social Contract Theory Social Contract Theory

In the 1600’s the idea of divine right was questioned Hobbes, an English philosopher, thought that the state was a social contractSocial contract means by agreement, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain orderIn turn, the state protects the citizens and the agreement cannot be broken

Social Contract TheorySocial Contract Theory

John Locke, another English philosopher, went further with social contract

He felt men were naturally endowed with the right to life, liberty and property (natural rights)

To preserve their rights that contract power to the gov’t, who protects them

Locke said if the gov’t didn’t protect them, or infringed on them, citizens could break the agreement

About a century later, the American colonies embraced the idea of natural rights and broke from England and King George III

Social Contract TheorySocial Contract Theory

Purpose of GovernmentPurpose of Government

1. Maintain social order1. Maintain social order

2. Provide public services2. Provide public services

3. Provide national security / common defense3. Provide national security / common defense

4. Help regulate the economic system4. Help regulate the economic system

Purposes of GovernmentPurposes of Government

Gov’ts gain power through two means, legitimate or Gov’ts gain power through two means, legitimate or coercivecoercive

Power given through consent of the people and Power given through consent of the people and citizens willing to obey the gov’tcitizens willing to obey the gov’t

Coercive force is used in the second method to gain Coercive force is used in the second method to gain powerpower

- use police, judicial system, military, fines, or - use police, judicial system, military, fines, or imprisonment to make people obeyimprisonment to make people obey

Maintaining Social OrderMaintaining Social Order

Based on social contract, govt is needed to for Based on social contract, govt is needed to for stability stability

Conflict is part of living in groups, and the govt Conflict is part of living in groups, and the govt provides methods to resolve / prevent provides methods to resolve / prevent

Government makes laws, enforcement, and est. Government makes laws, enforcement, and est. courts courts

Conflict is restricted because govt limits what people Conflict is restricted because govt limits what people can do (law and order)can do (law and order)

Providing Public ServicesProviding Public Services

Gov’t provides services Gov’t provides services individuals cannot do individuals cannot do - - I.E.I.E. Build / maintain Build / maintain roads, sewersroads, sewersGov’t promotes public Gov’t promotes public safety and healthsafety and health-- I.E. I.E. Food quality Food quality standards, health codes, standards, health codes, driver's test driver's test

National SecurityNational Security

Gov’t is to protect its people Gov’t is to protect its people against attack against attack

This has become This has become increasingly difficultincreasingly difficult

- nukes, satellites, terrorism - nukes, satellites, terrorism • Govt handles relations with Govt handles relations with

other statesother states

- treaties, trade - treaties, trade agreements, agreements, informal relations informal relations

Economic DecisionsCountries vary in the economic opportunities they can provide

No state can provide every desire or need

Material scarcity and economic gap are main sources of conflict

Gov'ts try and reduce these causes to prevent civil unrest

Gov'ts also intervene in other nation's economic affairs

- provide aid, embargoes

Gov'ts pass laws regulating econ environment

- provide a currency, distribute benefits/subsidies, tax breaks

Gov'ts goals, stimulate growth, control inflation, promote trade, and regulate uses of natural resources

Forming Government• Gov’ts of each nation are unique based on

the country’s development• Gov’ts can be organized in various ways• Large countries have multiple levels to

government• IE: National, State, City, Town, etc.

Government Systems

The basic ways national governments interact with lower levels1. Unitary System

2. Federal System

3. Confederacy

Unitary System

All major powers belong to the central gov’t

Multiple levels can exist but are created by central gov’t

Lower levels have limited power

IE: Britain, France, Italy

Confederacy

political union: an alliance of people, states, or parties for a common purpose

Has a weak federal gov’t and strong state govts

- 13 Colonies, Confederate States

of American

Federal System

Powers are divided between gov’t levels

Each level has sovereignty in some area

U.S. developed this system with 13 colonies after confederate failed

Constitutions

• A plan for gov’t that serves several functions1. Sets forth ideals that citizens share and

believe2. Establishes gov’t structure and defines

gov’ts powers and duties3. Provides the supreme law of the land

Constitutions• Can be written or unwritten

• U.S. has oldest written constitution• All gov’ts have a constitution or plan for their

gov’t• A constitutional gov’t is one that clear limits are

set on the gov’ts powers (Limited Gov’t)• If a nation has a constitution, it does not mean

they’re constitutional gov’ts

ConstitutionsThey are incomplete guides

Can’t include every single law or customNot all gov’ts follow the rules set forth by their constitution

IE: China

Constitutions

A statement of the goals the gov’t should strive for

These goals are called the preamble

U.S. Preamble“We the people of the United States, In Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

Preamble to the Constitution, 1787

ConstitutionsThe framework of gov’t

Sets up parts of gov’t

Describes relationship between gov’t levels

Sets rules for amending

Highest law in the land

The interpretation and application of the Constitution is known as constitutional law

Politics and Government

Politics is the effort to influence and control gov’t

People take part in politics because they know it can influence their life

People make demands on gov’t through groups and organizations

Politics provides a way to manage societal conflicts

Governing Today

The world is complex, thus so is gov’t

Major inequalities exist between states that are industrialized or developing

Nations are becoming more interdependent

Nations have economic, political, and social ties

Governing Today

Organizations like the E.U., N.A.F.T.A., and the U.N. link nations together

Non-state international groups as well

Political movements (PLO), Multi-national corporations (BP), International organizations

Types of Governments Governments generally fall into one of three

classification.

1. Autocracy

2. Oligarchy

3. Democracy

Autocracy In an autocracy power

of rule are in the hands of an individual.

Totalitarian dictatorship and absolute monarchs are some examples.

In a dictatorship an individual and their group rule.

A monarchy has a king, queen, or emperor rule.

Oligarchy Oligarchy refers to

any government where a small group holds power.

The groups power comes from wealth, military power, social or religious position.

Democracy Democracy is any gov't

where rule is by the people.

-Direct democracy, people vote directly on issues.

-Representative democracy, people elect representatives to make decisions.

A republic fits under democracy, and voters hold sovereign power.

Characteristics of Democracy Individual liberty exists, so

individuals have equal opportunity to pursue their talents.

Majority rule prompts government action while minority rights are still protected.

Free elections, one person one vote, and free expression of views.

Political Parties are present and are groups that have common interest, and promote candidates

Democracy Democracy can be hard to maintain, and general

contains five elements.

Citizen participation is key. Citizens need to be willing take part in civic life.

A strong economy with a strong middle class, and more economic autonomy(free enterprise), is important.

Having an educated public.

Strong civil society, where a variety of groups can access gov't to share views / opinions.

A social consensus, where people adherer to similar values, allows for democracy to occur.

Economics

• Economics: the study of human efforts to satisfy needs and wants through limited resources

• Employment, wages, taxes, spending, production, and distribution are important concepts

• Resources: natural resources land, minerals, water; human factors- skill, knowledge, etc.

The Role of Economic • Gov’ts around the world operate in different economic

systems, but all make three major choices:

1. What and how much should be produced?2. How goods and services should be produced?3. Who gets these goods and services?

• Each major system answers them differently

Capitalism• At one end of the economic spectrum• Freedom of choices, individual incentives for workers, investors,

consumers,& encourages enterprise • Gov’t allows free individual choice to guide economic

production/decisions (free market)• True Capitalism’s five elements

1. Private ownership of property and resources2. Free enterprise3. Business competition4. Freedom of choice5. possibility of profit

Capitalism

• Adam Smith in 1776, wrote The Wealth of Nations, applied idea of laissez-faire

• Laissez- faire means let alone, hands off

• Gov’t should create an environment for free market, otherwise, stay out of economy

Capitalism

• No nation is purely capitalist • U.S. leading example of a capitalist nation & gov’t has a role• Gov’ts role has increased- largest consumer of goods, regulations

on food/drug production, labor management, regulations on pollution and banking

• Gov’t also provides social security, welfare, unemployment, etc. • Considered a mixed-economy where gov’t makes economic

decisions but free and fair public interest remains

Socialism

• Gov’t owns basic means of production and distributes/ controls wages, products, and services

• Socialism has three goals:1. Distribute wealth and economic

opportunity equally2. Society controls economic

decisions through gov’t3. Public (gov’t) ownership of most

land and production means

Socialism

• Domestic Socialism :socialism trying to operate with a democratic gov’t

• Citizens have basic rights and input by voting

• Gov’t still owns means of production and controls economic decisions

• Opponents feel this reduces initiative, increases taxes and gov’t size, and can lead to dictatorship

Communism • Introduced by a German thinker, Karl Marx• A socialist who supported violent revolution• Felt capitalism would collapse and presented ideas in the Communist

Manifesto(1848) and Das Kapital (1867) • He divided industrialized society into two groups

-Bourgeoisie: capitalists, owners of production-Proletariat: workers, producers of the goods

• Felt that the capitalist ruling class forced others to work at subsistence levels

• Marx saw human history as a class struggle and the capitalist would control all wealth

• He felt that workers would rise in revolution to take control of all means

Communism

• With revolt, communism would emerge with a single class and property held commonly

• No need for gov’t• In communist nations today all

economic decisions done by gov’t (command economy)

• The gov’t owns everything economically and all mass communication

Communism• Communist nations have

developed own styles• No economic freedom exists,

gov’t decides what and how much is produced

• No political freedom exists• Adequate living standards are

not met• Some nations are trying to

balance change to prevent revolt