Intro to Government What is government Is Government

Intro to Government What is government? Is Government necessary? How & why did Governing systems develop?

Living in a State of Nature? n Do Not Write!!!!!! Think!! Imagine if you had total freedom – If you lived in a society without laws to regulate behavior? n To begin to understand government, it is important to understand why we need government & the rule of law! n n n Pros – total freedom, you can do whatever you want! Anything goes! No Rules! Cons – other people in society would be able to do whatever they want. Total freedom, anything goes! No rules!!

What would a society look like without the rule of law?

Anarchy - total absence of government. n n n No Rule of Law - No rules to govern peoples behavior? No Authority- No written laws! No authority to enforce rules! No rights - No document or institutions to ensure your rights are protected (Free speech, religion, privacy) No consequences for behavior No private property – No enforceable contracts (No economic system)! Situation is not sustainable!!! Some type of governmental system will always arise out of anarchy (good or bad!)

The Development of governments. When humans started gathering & living in large groups (Agricultural Revolution)– these societies developed into nation-states & these states developed systems of government. n Why did this happen? n n

What led humans to start separating themselves into different Nation-States? n Nations-States - people living in a defined territory (borders) organized under some authority (government). n Four Characteristics that all States share: n Populations Territory Sovereignty – the supreme authority to rule within your own borders (Can a country lose sovereignty? ) Systems of Governments (making rules & enforcing them) n n n

Origins of States & Government Systems n Theories on the origins of States & Governments: 1. Force theory- one person or a group seize power by force & rule. n 2. Evolutionary theory- States/Govt. ’s evolved out of family units, that led to larger systems. n 3. Divine Right - God(s) created the State & grants rulers the right to lead (Pharaohs – Monarchs of Europe, etc). n 4. Social Contract – Citizens in a society consent to be governed – surrender power to the govt. in exchange for protection of n rights.

What is Government? n Govt. - The institution through which a society creates & enforces laws (public policies). n Many countries have similar systems of govt. ’s, but all have unique characteristics. For example: Domestic Policy addresses issues at home (In the U. S. ) examples _______ n Foreign Policy dictates how the U. S. deals with the rest of the world. Examples __________ n

Current Policy Debates n n n n Energy- Oil or alternative? War in Iraq- Stay or leave? Terrorism – Negotiate or fight? Education- Improve schools, increase testing, hire new teachers, etc. ? Taxes – Income tax or national sales tax? Abortion- Ban it, restrict it, or let women decide? Death Penalty – Does it reduce violent crime? Immigration – Provide amnesty? Strengthen the border?

Discussion n Symbols of Govt. ? n Interaction? n Is govt. necessary?