WORKINGS OF OUR GOVERNMENT What would life be like without Government?

Better…why? Worse…why?

Should you be active in Government? How can you be?

What does our Government do for us? Protect us Provide education Protect our health Protect our environment Pave streets Regulate traffic Punish criminals Protect civil rights

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT? – the institution which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

Every Government (Federal and all State) have 3 basic kinds of power:

1. Legislative – the power to make law2. Executive – the power to execute,

enforce and administer law3. Judicial – the power to interpret laws

THE ‘STATE’ The state is any body of people, living

in a defined territory, organized politically (with a government), and with the power to make and enforce laws with a higher authority.

190 states in the world

THE STATE 4 things a State must have:

1. POPULATION – a State must have people (any number)

2. TERRITORY – must have area (no limits)- San Marino is 24 square miles- Russia is 6.6 million miles

3. SOVEREIGNTY – the State has absolute power within it own territory and can decide all policies

4. GOVERNMENT – a State must be politically organized

ORIGINS OF THE STATEThe Force Theory The force theory states that one person or a

small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule.

The Evolutionary Theory The evolutionary theory argues that the state

evolved naturally out of the early family.The Divine Right Theory The theory of divine right holds that God

created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a “divine right” to rule.

The Social Contract Theory The social contract theory argues that the

state arose out of a voluntary act of free people.

What is the

purpose of the

UNITED STATES

Government?

THE PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENT1. Form a more perfect union – to better

unite the country2. Establish Justice – to protect and serve you3. Insure Domestic Tranquility – peace at

home4. Provide for a common Defense – Defend

ourselves abroad5. Provide for General Welfare – to take

care of its citizens (clean food, water and air)6. Secure blessing of Liberty – provide Basic

civil rights

6 PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT Write me 3-5 sentences telling me

which of the 6 purposes of our government is the most important.

The 4 Types of

Governments

DictatorshipOne-person rule. Ruler has total control. Absolute monarchs are also dictatorships.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES1. People may be united in their loyalty to a dictator since there is no competition for trust and affection.

2. In an emergency, a dictator can move quickly to take action. No time is lost in debate or discussion.

1. People are afforded little or no individual liberty. Civil rights are trampled on.

2. A dictator’s policies suit his/her own needs. Needs of the people may be neglected.

3. Decision making has a narrow base - can be flawed, wrong, dangerous, and not fully supported by the people.

HITLER

DICTATOR

OTHER DICTATORS – CAN YOU NAME THEM

OligarchyForm of government in which the power is in the hands of a few persons or small group (who have the combined power of a dictator.)

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES1. Decisions can be made relatively quickly. 2. May provide expert leadership while avoiding the danger of one-person rule. 3. In theory, they are the most educated members of society. 4. Members of the oligarchy listen to each other - they work together to rule.

Same as Dictatorship(Needs and wants of the people are not necessarily considered.)

Direct DemocracyGovernment in which all citizens have equal power in decision making.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES1. Every citizen has equal power in matters of government. Every citizen is involved in the decision making.2. Since all citizens are involved in decision making, there is a broad base of support and loyalty.

3. Individual liberties are protected.

1. Only works when a small number of people are involved. Ability to gather all citizens in one place is necessary.

2. Decision making involving all citizens is time-consuming. All citizens give in-put, debate, etc...

Representative DemocracyGovernment in which people elect representatives who hold the decision making power.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES1. Citizens are involved in decision making through their representatives, lobbying, and voting.2. Representatives are aware their job depends on meeting the needs of their constituents.

3. More likely that all elements of the population are represented.4. Generally, reps are educated and more-capable citizens who can devote time needed to solve complex problems.

1. Decision making is time consuming. Desire of representatives to please everyone may cripple system.

2. Representatives may not always agree with those they represent.

3. Lack of involved citizenry may allow special interest groups to influence or dominate representatives.

CLASSIFICATION BY GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF POWER

Unitary Government

A unitary government has all powers held by a single, central agency.

Confederate Government

• A confederation is an alliance of independent states.

Federal Government• A federal government is one in which the powers of

government are divided between a central government and several local governments.

• An authority superior to both the central and local governments makes this division of power on a geographic basis.

CLASSIFICATION BY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCHES

HISTORY OF GOVERNMENTSAND

REPUBLICS

Government is among the oldest of all human inventions! More than 2,000 years B.C. there were

Governments. Why? Is it necessary?

Greeks and Romans has very specialized governments with a Senate, Consuls (like our Pres. And VP) and various Governors – to rule their provinces.

POLITICS… what is the difference between politics

and government? Politics is the process of creating and

maintaining laws Government is the institution itself

“man is by nature a political animal”- Aristotle (250 B.C.)

LETS READ PAGE 17 TOGETHER…

THE AMERICAN CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY Democracy rests on these notions:

1. Recognition of the worth of the individual.2. Respect for the equality of everyone.3. Faith in Majority rule, and furthering of

minority rights.4. Necessity of Compromise.5. Insistence upon individual freedoms.

1. WORTH Everyone is of equal importance

This doesn’t mean everyone is equal Money Jobs House Etc…

EQUALITY ‘equality of opportunity’ ‘equality before the law’

Just as with worth, not everyone is equal

MAJORITY RULE, MINORITY RIGHTS Strongest and richest do not

automatically rule Democracy is a ‘trial-n-error’ process

Minority will always be recognized and helped

COMPROMISE Decisions are compromised

Every decision goes through a process of argument

INDIVIDUAL FREEDOM We as Americans have freedom to do

as we wish. Many Communist and dictatorships limit the

freedoms of their citizens No cell phones No internet No schooling

“THE RIGHTS OF EVERY MAN ARE DIMINISHED WHEN THE RIGHTS OF ONE MAN ARE THREATENED”

JOHN F. KENNEDY