Chapter 1 Principles of Government and Politics Section

Chapter 1 Principles of Government and Politics Section 1 Introducing Politics and Government

What Is Politics? Politics = A struggle over who gets what, when, and how Ø Politics uses power and scarce resources. Ø Politics attempts to reach a political goal. Ø Politics produces winners and losers. Winner gets power or interests served. Ø Relationship between power and authority. • Authority is power gained through lawful means. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Political Activities Ø Question: What would you consider a political activity? Ø Question: What types of political activities do you take part in? Ø Answer: Persuading, coaxing, compromising, bargaining, and cooperating are all examples of political behavior because they help people attain their goals. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Politics and Government Ø Politics is a process. Does not equal government. Ø Government is an organization. • provides the rules and institutions that shape how politics operates. Ø Institution: organization that carries out a certain function of government Ø Each government exercises authority over a state or nation. (State: Sovereignty over population in territory. ) Ø Politics shapes the rules that a state uses to regulate how power is distributed. Ø When people accept the authority of a government, they are acknowledging that it is legitimate © EMC Publishing, LLC

Purposes of Government Ø The purposes of government are to: • Maintain social order • Ensure domestic tranquility • Establish justice • Provide for the common defense • Promote the general welfare • Secure liberty © EMC Publishing, LLC

Government and Economics Ø Economics: Production and distribution of goods and services (Varies according to country) Ø Economic systems: Distribution of resources in society • Differs according to government control over economy • Neither requires peoples consent • Karl Marx: Socialist economist • Regulated Capitalism: economic system based on free enterprise with government oversight to protect rights and promote fairness © EMC Publishing, LLC United States is a Capitalist Republic

Your Turn Under which of the following economic systems would the government own all the land, factories, and businesses in the society? a. b. c. d. Laissez-faire capitalism Socialist or command economy Regulated capitalist economy Social democracy © EMC Publishing, LLC

Guided Reading • B. Legitimate • C. Sovereignty • D. Government © EMC Publishing, LLC

Different Political Systems Ø There are two broad types of political systems: • Authoritarian: Government has ultimate power over how people live their lives. (State comes first; no rights. ) Example: Nazi Germany • Totalitarian: Can exercise over everything. • Nonauthoritarian: Ultimate power rests with the people in the state. Example: United States © EMC Publishing, LLC power

Authoritarian Systems Ø Autocracy: One powerful individual Ø Monarchy: Powerful king or queen, inherited position, not always authoritarian (Type of autocracy) Ø Fascism: Powerful state, dictator as leader (Hitler) Ø Oligarchy: Power given to small group or party (Government by the few) Ø Theocracy: Sovereign God, powerful representative on earth © EMC Publishing, LLC

Nonauthoritarian Systems Ø Anarchy: Neither government nor laws. Ø Democracy: Government run by the people • All-powerful populace • Equality: Certain rights guaranteed to all citizens • Compromise is central Ø Direct democracy: Government with people standing up for themselves • Majority rule by voter decision Ø Indirect democracy: Government with elected leaders representing the people. Example: United States © EMC Publishing, LLC

Socialism and Democracy Ø Socialism: individuals do not make decisions, government does. Government sets prices, wages, and distributes wealth. Ø Social Democracy: system that reflects a belief that most property can be privately held but also embraces the values of equality promoted by socialism. Ø Pluralistic democracy: participating in government as a group member is more valuable than participating as an individual. Example: Several small political groups uniting to outvote a larger group. © EMC Publishing, LLC

Guided Reading A. Nonauthoritarian B. Totalitarian C. Anarchists A. Authoritarian B. People © EMC Publishing, LLC

Your Turn Citizenship allows members of a government to take part in certain rights and responsibilities. What are the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy? © EMC Publishing, LLC