Government Structures American Government Purposes of Government Why

Government Structures American Government

Purposes of Government: Why Have One? • • • Maintain national defense Provide public goods Provide order Provide Public Services Socialize citizens into political culture Collect taxes to pay for services

Theories of Government • Divine right- power to rule comes from God and can not be taken away • Social Contract- People give power to one leader in exchange for protection- you have to give up some rights –Hobbes –Locke

POWER in Government • Anarchy- No government, chaos • Totalitarianism- Government controls everything – total control • Limited Government - Government allows individual freedom/choice

Autocracy • An autocracy is a government wherein a SINGLE INDIVIDUAL is in power • There are two types of autocratic leaders: Dictators Monarchs

Dictatorship • Dictators gain their power through fear and/or force. • Many have TOTALITARIAN governments. – Totalitarian governments seek to control every facet of social and economic – They often resort to the use of military power to maintain authority. • Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler is an example…North Korea’s autocracy is run by Kim Jong Il.

Monarchy • Monarchy is another form of government that is USUALLY autocratic. • Absolute monarchs have complete power to rule however they choose. – Saudi Arabia maintains an absolute monarchy. • Constitutional monarchies are governments where power is shared between the crown and elected officials. – Great Britain is a constitutional monarchy.

Oligarchy • An oligarchy is a system wherein power is maintained by a small group of people. • Power can come from – membership within the dominate political party (China) – Or by some combination of wealth, military and social connections (Russia) Vladimir Putin • Oligarchies often hold elections, but only permit candidates who have been approved by the establishment. Dmitri Medvedev

Democracy • Democracy is government by the people…wherein power is held by many, rather than a few. • Our early government allowed for the participation of only a small number of citizens.

Direct Democracy • A Direct Democracy is a system in which every citizen can participate in every aspect of government. • Our U. S. system has some components of direct democracy at the local/state level— – Initiatives—occur when citizens propose an amendment or law. If the proposal garners the required number of signatures, it can become law. – Referenda—occur when voters (rather than legislatures) vote on a particular law. – Recall—occurs when voters remove elected officials from office.

Representative Democracy • Despite having components of direct democracy, the US is primarily a representative democracy. • In a representative democracy, voters elect representatives and give them the power to make laws and conduct government. • The vast majority of our laws are passed by representatives.

Theocracy • In a theocracy, the government is run by a religious institution. • The fundamental laws are based on scripture. – Vatican City is ruled by the Pope, and law is rooted in canon (Church) law. – Although Iran has an elected president (Mahmoud Ahmadinejad), he must answer to Ali Khamenei, an Islamic cleric and the Supreme Leader of the country. • Iranian law is based on Sharia Law—which Muslims believe is God’s law.

Governing Systems • Unitary- national government rules • China, United Kingdom • Confederation- State government rules • The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) - formerly known as the Soviet Union; U. S. under the Articles • Federal State- State and national governments share power

US Government • Representative Democracy • Democratic Republic • Limited Government • Federal System

Principles of Democracy • Individual Worth • Majority Rule with Minority Rights • Civil Liberties and Rights • Rule by Law • Representative Government • Limited Power

Citizenship in the United States

SSCG 7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in civic life is characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.

Citizenship in the United States – NATURAL BORN JUS SOLI n Right of soil n If born in the U. S. , then you are a U. S. citizen JUS SANGUINIS n Right of blood n If parents are citizens, then you are

How do you become a citizen of the United States? NATURALIZATION q 5 years resident in the U. S. (3 if married to a U. S. citizen) q Read, write, and speak English (unless they are over 50 years of age and have lived in the US for at least 20 years) q Good moral character q Understanding of American History and Government

What is the Process to become a Naturalized Citizen? n File declaration of intent with the Attorney General n Submit petition n Investigation and testing n Oath n NATURALIZED CITIZEN

Could you pass the test?

What do good citizens do? n Obey laws n Pay taxes n Serve on a jury n Participate in the political process (vote) n Perform public service (get involved) n Register for military service (Selective Service) n Stay informed on current issues n Respect differing opinions (ideologies)

Participating in Government n Citizens can PARTICIPATE, by… n. Voting—the legitimacy of the US government depends upon “the consent of the governed”… n. Campaigning or working for a political party or movement… n. Writing letters to the editor of a newspaper or magazine about political issues… n. Protesting the actions of the government in a legal and orderly manner.

Obeying the Law n Laws are passed to make citizens safe and must be followed if the society is going to work. n Laws set guidelines for personal behavior, business practices, elections, and even operation of cars. n They reduce areas of uncertainty, and therefore they limit conflict. When conflict does arise, laws can be applied by court judges and juries, who use such laws as an impartial basis on which to settle conflict. n Not every law has been perfect; many have been changed over the years when enough people stand up to challenge a law that they feel is unfair or unconstitutional (doesn't follow our Constitution).

Citizenship and Taxes n The government must pay for the goods and services it provides to its citizens. n This is done with tax revenues, making it a responsibility of U. S. citizenship.

Citizens and the Military n The US currently has a volunteer military… n However, the US also has the right to staff its military using the draft. n Since 1980, all young men have been required to register with Selective Service—To register for the draft when and if it is ever reinstituted.

Jury Duty n If you are registered to vote, or have a driver’s license…You might be called to serve jury duty. n The Constitution stipulates that accused persons must be tried by a jury of one’s peers… n This is a RIGHT of any citizen…The corresponding RESPONSIBILITY is that citizens must serve jury duty.

Knowledge about Current Issues n Knowledge about current issues and world affairs is ESSENTIAL if you are going to make informed voting decisions.

Respect for Differing Opinions n “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it”— Voltaire. n Participation in the government demands the ability to listen to and respect the viewpoints of others. n Citizens must both tolerate and be knowledgeable of different points of view. n Don’t EVER take political disagreement PERSONALLY.

Volunteering and Public Service n Citizens should be ENGAGED and recognize the importance of ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. n This does not necessarily mean joining the military, or working for a political campaign… n You can volunteer for the library, for food drives, for your church or for your community.

Political Ideology & Socialization American Government

Ideology • Ideology: a set of basic beliefs about life, culture, government, and society. • Political Ideology: An individual’s or group’s set of beliefs about governmental or political structures and functions.

Political Socialization • How an individual acquires their sense of political identity. • There are four major agents of political socialization.

Agent 1: Home and Family • Observe and copy parents • Tend to follow same ideology pattern • Information is filtered based on ideology of parents

Agent 2: School • Teach citizenship and societal values • Teach democratic principles • Usually first knowledge of how system works

Agent 3: Peers • Share similar ideas • Reinforce attitudes • Desire for acceptance may change family ideas

Agent 4: Media • Greatest source of information • Generates interest in issue that may not have been of concern

How is Ideology Used in Gov’t? • Political Planks - the individual issues or beliefs of a politician or citizen. • Political Platforms - the set of planks that a politician or citizen stands on. • Political Parties - groups of people with similar political platforms who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy.

Major Ideologies 1. Conservatives 2. Liberals 3. Centrists

Political Scale

How to determine if you are a Liberal, Conservative, or Moderate: Ø World’s Smallest Political Quiz Ø Political Platform Issues