People and Government Principles of Government Section 1

People and Government Principles of Government Section 1

State A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority.

Nation Any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes, religion.

Nation-State A country in which the territory of both the nation and the state coincide.

Consensus An agreement about the basic beliefs.

Territory Everything that a nation owns: can be through purchase, expansion, war. Ex) United States: Louisiana Purchase, Alaska, Hawaii.

Sovereignty The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries.

Government Institution though which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people living within the state.

4 Theories on the Origin of the State Evolutionary Force Divine Right Social Contract

Evolutionary Government evolved from large families. Head of the family held power.

Force theory Says government emerged when all people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group.

Divine Right Theory God or gods have chosen who should rule.

Social Contract Hobbes Locke

Hobbes By contract, people surrender power to the state maintain order. The state, in turn, protects citizens. People did not have the right to break contract.

Locke People have a right to break that contract!!!!

Purposes of Government Maintain Provide public services National Control social order Security and Common Defense of economic systems

Social Order Keep people “in line. ” Locke states people cannot live without conflict if government does not provide social order.

Public Services Government provides services to make community life possible and promote general welfare.

National Security Prevent attacks from other nations/terrorism.

Economic Decisions How to control/spend money for the benefit of the nation.