Foundations of Government Chapter 1 Principles of Government

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Foundations of Government Chapter 1

Foundations of Government Chapter 1

Principles of Government: Institution that enforces public policies. It is made up of people

Principles of Government: Institution that enforces public policies. It is made up of people who exercise this power and have control and authority over people Examples: Federal government, state government Public policy: What the government decides to do in regard to taxation, defense, education, crime, healthcare, etc. Example: The federal government decides that instead of having a progressive tax system (where the wealthy pay more and the poor pay less) that a flat tax of 15 percent will be instituted across all income levels. This is a matter of public policy

Basic Powers of Government Legislative (House of Representatives, Senate) make laws, frame public policy

Basic Powers of Government Legislative (House of Representatives, Senate) make laws, frame public policy Executive (President of the United States) Enforce law Judicial (Supreme Court) Interpret law, settle disputes. Dictatorship: One person acting as all three of these functions Democracy: exercise of power rests with a majority of people.

Government as a human invention Aristotle: Greek philosopher stated that man is a 'political

Government as a human invention Aristotle: Greek philosopher stated that man is a 'political animal'. Definition of politics according to Merriam Webster: (DO NOT WRITE ALL DOWN! It is the struggle for power!) • 1 a : the art or science of government b : the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy c : the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government • 2: political actions, practices, or policies • 3 a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices • 4: the political opinions or sympathies of a person • 5 a : the total complex of relations between people living in society b : relations or conduct in a particular area of experience especially as seen or dealt with from a political point of view office politics ethnic politics

THE STATE A state is a body of people living in a defined territory,

THE STATE A state is a body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of a higher authority A state is not a nation (ethnicity) or country (geographic term). A state is a legal entity.

What Makes a State? Population: No minimum requirement, and the population may or may

What Makes a State? Population: No minimum requirement, and the population may or may not be homogeneous (Do these people share a common language, customs, and ethnic background? ) Territory: Land with known and recognized boundaries. Sovereignty: This is supreme power. The state does not answer to any higher authority. This gives the power to make domestic and foreign policy. Government: A state must be politically organized, thus have a government. Think about Thomas Hobbes and his consideration of a world without government. Would it be a violent and dangerous place?

How did the State come into being? Force Theory: One person or a small

How did the State come into being? Force Theory: One person or a small group claimed an area and forced all to submit to their rule. Evolutionary Theory: The state developed from the early family, then the extended family, then the tribe. Divine Right of Kings Theory: Accepted in the Western world from the 15 th 18 th centuries. God gave those of royal birth the divine right to rule, and people were bound to obey the ruler as they would God. Social Contract Theory: Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, and Harrington. People were naturally free, yet needed protection. Thus, people agreed to give power to the state to ensure safety and survival, while the state understood its power was derived from the people who consented to their rule.

What government does Form a more perfect union-Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution Establish justice

What government does Form a more perfect union-Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution Establish justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for Common Defense Promote General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty Patriotism

Section 1. 2: Types of Government The type of government depends on: Who can

Section 1. 2: Types of Government The type of government depends on: Who can participate? Geographic distribution of power within the state Relationship between branches of government

Who can participate? Democracy: supreme political authority rest with the people Direct Democracy: the

Who can participate? Democracy: supreme political authority rest with the people Direct Democracy: the will of the people is directly translated into public policy (law). Feasible in small town or group settings. Indirect democracy or representative democracy: A small group of people chosen by the people to act as their representatives, expresses the popular will.

Who can participate? Republic: Sovereign power is held by the voters, while the political

Who can participate? Republic: Sovereign power is held by the voters, while the political power rests with the elected representatives of the people. This is used interchangeably with indirect democracy. Dictatorships: Authoritarian dictatorship: Those in power have absolute and unchallengeable power. They exercise power over most aspects of human life. Ex-Fascist Italy, Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Communist China Oligarchy: Rule by a very few. Very few exist. Autocracy: May give the appearance that people vote, and the legislature votes. But these are tightly controlled by a dictator who has absolute power. Theocracy: legal system of the state is based on religious law.

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Government: A unitary government is one entity which holds

Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Government: A unitary government is one entity which holds power, and then creates local government for its convenience. The local powers only have power because the central government has granted them. The central government could dissolve local governments Ex. Great Britain. DO NOT CONFUSE WITH A DICTATORSHIP. Federal Government: Power divided by a central federal government and local governments. There is a division of power-each of the 50 states can have separate policies on the same issue. Confederation: an alliance of independent states. A central organization only has the power to handle matters that member states have assigned to it. They usually do not have the power to make laws that apply directly to individuals. The European Union (EU) is the closest example.

Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential government: Separation of powers between the executive and legislative

Legislative and Executive Branches Presidential government: Separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government, which are coequal. The chief executive (president) is chosen by the people. The executive is not under the direct control of the legislative branch. Parliamentary government: The executive branch is made up of the prime minister and the cabinet. These two groups come from the legislative branch, the parliament. The prime minister is the leader of the majority party or like-minded parties (a coalition) and is chosen by the legislature. Since the prime minister is chosen by the legislature, it is under its control, and can remove the prime minister through a vote of no confidence.

1. 3: Origins of the Modern Democratic State American government was influenced by Judeo-Christian

1. 3: Origins of the Modern Democratic State American government was influenced by Judeo-Christian philosophy, as well as Ancient Greek and Roman political institutions Athens-direct democracy (demokratia). They had the Ecclesia open to male citizens 18 years of age. Met 40 times a year for public matters and making law. Agenda set by Council of Five Hundred, who were randomly chosen Roman Republic: Introduced the idea of representation. Rome's political history revolved around the violent struggle between the patricians (the wealthy upper-class) and the plebeians (the common folk). Roman Government centered around the Senate, comprised of 300 members and 2 consuls chosen by the Senate. The consuls presided over the Senate and enforced its decrees. They also commanded the army.

Feudalism Came from the collapse of centralized government after the decline of the Roman

Feudalism Came from the collapse of centralized government after the decline of the Roman empire. Powerful lords (monarchs in some cases) divided their land among lesser lords, known as vassals. Those with power and land exchanged their ability to protect others for loyalty, military service, and crops. People at the bottom were known as serfs, peasants bound to the land The manor was the hub of economic activity-land holdings including a town or village.

Roman Catholic Church Worked with the feudal system after the fall of the Roman

Roman Catholic Church Worked with the feudal system after the fall of the Roman Empire With most of Europe converting to Christianity, it made the church extremely powerful The pope and bishops had vast land holdings and competed with monarchs for power and influence in Europe.

Commercial Revolution After the Black Plague, less people were available to work the manors,

Commercial Revolution After the Black Plague, less people were available to work the manors, which made them more valuable. Lords made less money on crops due to lower demand Merchants and artisans became more powerful and wealthy The economy shifted from dependence on land to dependence on money and trade. Rise of towns-less dependence on feudal lords and more on merchants and traders.

Rise of monarchies By the 1400's, monarchial power was expanding, leading to centralized government,

Rise of monarchies By the 1400's, monarchial power was expanding, leading to centralized government, legal systems, national identities, and most importantly, TAXES. The monarch became the sovereign, giving them absolute power to make laws.

Power, Authority, and Legitimacy Being sovereign is not enough; one must have consent and

Power, Authority, and Legitimacy Being sovereign is not enough; one must have consent and is accepted by the people. This is legitimacy. Forms of Legitimacy: Divine Right of Kings Power of Personality Government bound to the rule of law

1. 4 -Basics of Democracy Recognition of fundamental worth and dignity of the individual

1. 4 -Basics of Democracy Recognition of fundamental worth and dignity of the individual Respect an equality for all persons Faith in majority rule and insistence on minority rights Acceptance of compromise Insistence upon the widest possible degree of freedom

Responsibilities, Duties, and Obligations of a Citizen: A person who has rights and responsibilities

Responsibilities, Duties, and Obligations of a Citizen: A person who has rights and responsibilities within a state-paying taxes, staying informed, voting, respecting right, serving as a juror, etc. This is essential to the continuance of democracy

Free Enterprise- Capitalism The economic model is essential to individual freedom The private individual

Free Enterprise- Capitalism The economic model is essential to individual freedom The private individual makes decisions in the economy, not the government. Ex-production, supply, etc. Four pillars of free enterprise: Private ownership Individual initiative Profit Competition