THE STATE OF THE STATE Cool The a

THE STATE OF THE STATE Cool…

The a body of people, State living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce laws without having to check with any higher authority, and with an organization to do this.

The State You can tell from the definition that there are four key features of a state… What are they?

Population Territory a body of people, living in a defined space, Sovereign Governme ty nt with the power to make and with an and enforce laws without having to check with any higher organization to do this.

That’s us! Populati on Definition: People who are the members or citizens of a state Ø The size of the population doesn’t matter Ø Population has a big influence on the type of government chosen by the state: • Is the population rural or urban? • What do people do for jobs? • Do people get along or disagree on basic issues?

Territory Definition: the area in which a state’s rule applies Ø A state must have set boundaries, but they are not always agreed on. Ø Boundaries can change in three ways: • war – people win or lose territory • negotiation – people agree to trade territory • purchase – states can buy territory from other states

Sovereig nty Definition: the ability to rule absolutely within a given territory Because of sovereignty… Ø states can set their own foreign policy and agendas. Ø states are all equal in theory, but in reality that isn’t always the case.

Govern ment Definition: the organization that makes and enforces the laws Ø Government has many roles that all involve making public policy, but there are four main ways their governing affects the public… Public policy is the laws and rules that affect the public! That’s us!

Govern ment Definition: the organization that makes and enforces the laws Ø Government has many roles that all involve making public policy, but there are four main ways their governing affects the public… • Keeping Order • Protecting the Country • Providing Services • Making Economic Decisions That’s us!

f o s Role n r e v o G ment Keeping Order Ø Making and enforcing laws is all a part of keeping order in society Ø Structures like the police force and court system are in place to enforce the laws and settle disputes

f o s Role n r e v o G ment Protecting the Country Ø The government is responsible for defending the territory of the state Ø Security organizations like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are established to protect citizens

f o s Role n r e v o G ment Protecting the Country Ø The government is responsible for defending the territory of the state Ø Security organizations like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are established to protect citizens Ø Treaties and alliances are formed with other countries to help keep our citizens safe

f o s Role n r e v o G ment e c i v r l Se a Post Road Repair Bridge Building Providing Services Ø The government is responsible for providing basic services… Libraries Garbage C ollection Schools

f o s Role n r e v o G ment Providing Services Ø The government is responsible for providing basic services… Ø Programs for people who need help: • help buying food • welfare • medical services Ø Programs to keep people safe: • medicine • food • buildings

f o s Role n r e v o G ment Making Economic Decisions Ø The government makes decisions every day about how it spends money Ø The government also makes decisions about how our economy is going to function Ø Most public policy set by the government has to do with how money is spent!!

So by that definition of state… …the United States is just one big state!