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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Government in Society

Government is Necessary

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Objectives

• Identify the four basic characteristics of a state

• Describe two theories of government, including the social contract

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

What are States

• An independent political unit• Four characteristics

– Population– Territory– Government– Sovereignty

• The right to rule itself

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Population

• May be large or small– USA--240 Million– China--1 Billion

• May be diverse or similar in characteristics• Has citizenship• Has allegiance

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Territory• Occupies a specific geographic area• Has boundaries• Includes the following

– Land– Water– Natural resources– Inland waterways

• Can be large or small• Often causes conflict

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Government• It is the people and institutions to establish and

enforce public policies• People

– Kings, Queens, Presidents• Institutions

– Constitution, Courts, Parliaments, Army• Public policy is action directed towards a national

goal• Legitimacy

– The right to rule accepted by the people

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Sovereignty

• The ability to act independently• Three requirements:

– Able to decide and carry out its own foreign policy– Send and receive diplomats or ambassadors– Able to protect its own territory

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Theories of Govt.

• First studied by Aristotle• Theories

– Evolutionary• Rulers were seen as “parents”

– Force• Use of power or force to impose one’s will

– Divine right• Power to rule came from God

– Social Contract

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Social Contract

• The power of the people to rule themselves• Developed by Thomas Hobbes• Carried on by John Locke

– Believed people had natural rights• Life, Liberty, and Property

– Agreed to obey the government or ruler– But ruler was required to protect their rights

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Discussion

• Can a government stay in power if most people oppose it?

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

Assignment

• Read pgs. 9—11• Questions pg. 11

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American Govt.

Coach Kirkwood

What You Have Learned Today

• Identify the four basic characteristics of a state• Describe two theories of government, including

the social contract