What Is Government Why do we need Government

What Is Government? Why do we need Government?

Perceptions of Government • An entity that takes away • Individual Freedom’s • Taxes us (takes money) • Regulates our actions (do we truly have freedom of speech? ) • Definitions of Government • Govern “to exercise continuous sovereign authority” • “to control and direct the making and administration of policy” • “political association that does two things: – Makes rules for determining who will get the valued things of society. – Regulates the use of legitimate force in society”

Lenses to View Government • Public Interest – Adam Smith (Father of Capitalism) • Public interest would rise through free and unrestricted market place • Self-interested individuals – pursue their own goals-benefit the public interest • Government’s job is to protect property and provide a limited amount of goods not provided by the market • Government’s only roles is to make sure capitalism prospers • Public interest being satisfied is called “invisible hand”

Lenses to View Government • Tragedy of the Commons – Brings doubt into Smith’s theory of the invisible hand • Four ranchers – common piece of land – land owned by no one • Each rancher raises cattle and allows cattle to graze on the commons – which was lush and green • Ranchers in competition – Rancher Ann puts 5 cattle on the commons; other ranchers do the same (20 cattle) – Rancher Joe puts 2 additional cattle; Rancher Susan puts 3 additional cattle, Rancher Jim Places 4 additional cattle, Rancher Ann 5 additional cattle – 34 head of cattle grazing on the commons • Cattle rancher are making money as demand increases; but cattle destroying the commons • No incentive for the ranchers to stop putting on more cattle on commons • Competition in Capitalism means all ranchers will go out of business; destroyed the commons • Only way to avert tragedy is to create a government; give it powers to regulate goods • In doing so; everyone gives up individual freedom because they believe government will protect interests and rights

Tragedy of the Commons

Lenses to View Government • John Stuart Mill – Maximize Individual Freedoms • Two dimensions: public & private spheres – Public: concerns of the state; government can make demands on public action » Citizens made to participate in public affairs – Private: difference is essential in society; better living » Different dress, lifestyles, right/wrong; good if they don’t harm society • Stifling personal values, freedom of expression is wrong – Difference leads to innovation; discover better life style – Who’s to say those with different styles isn’t right? • Individuals should have their personal freedom to do what they want in private.

Lenses to View Government • Amitai Etzioni – Social Tragedy of the Commons • Social environment – Hardin’s commons – Maintained order – create productivity – Shared moral values – so society can prosper » Lessen conflict in society » Allow society to effectively & efficiently reach its goals » Too much freedom = social chaos • Government should instill moral values through laws; • Provide moral regulation

Public Goods • Government Provides Goods • Provides services that private sector does not provide (Fire Protection) – Two ways in looking at government providing goods » Exhaustiveness: Will my using of the goods prevent you from using it? » Exclusion: Can you be prevented from using the goods? – Private goods defined as: goods provided by the private sector (T. V. , Cars, Clothes) » Profit motive (items for production) money

Should I be Governed? • Government • Requires compliance – Democracy = voluntary compliance » Give up freedoms so others can benefit • Problem: Not everyone complies • Stephen Nathanson – Four answers as to why we should be governed • Super-patriotism – Individual has a strong duty to be a good citizen – Duty to obey the laws; – Parental Argument » Citizens (young child) obey good parent (government) – Benefactor Argument » Citizen who benefit from government services should not disobey – Agreement Argument » Citizen agreeing to live under a government; must do their duty (obey

Should I be Governed? • Political Cynic • Citizen obey only because they fear punishment – Believes the government has no legitimacy; only coercion » Government is controlled by elites for benefit of elite » Harsh take on government • Anarchism • Obey law only if it is supported by individual conscience – Believes government is coercive/destructive on individual rights

Should I be Governed? • Critical Citizenship • Democratic government = legitimate form of government – Strong duty to obey government because the people made the law – Moral duty to disobey law when gov’t is tyrannical » Grounded in the belief that there is common morality/value