principles of government what is “the state” ? taken from the latin stare (to stand) a state is...

Principles of Government

What is “the state” ?

Taken from the Latin stare (to stand) a state is a political community that occupies a definite territory; having an organized government with the authority to make andenforce laws without the consent of a higher authority.

* Synonymous with the term country and nation-state

* Not to be confused with nation, which is defined as a group of people united by some common bond. Such as…

What are the features of a state?

• Population

• Territory / land• Sovereignty – supreme and absolute power

within its territorial boundaries. For example…

• Government – the institution and processes through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions. Such as…


Origins of the State

• Evolution Theory

• Force Theory

• Divine Right

• Social Contract

How did states and governments come into being? Four theories:


Evolution Theory

• States evolved from family units• Families grew into large extended units or

tribes• Heads of the family served as a government

How so…

• Evolved into tribal councils with a hierarchy of authority

Examples…


Force Theory

• Governments emerged when people are were brought under the control of some authority

• States emerged from the conquest of other families or tribes


Divine Right

• Belief that kings are chosen by a deity to rule the stateAncient examples include Egyptians and Aztecs

• 15th Century Europe, the belief is used by royalty as the justification for absolute rule

• To question the king was not only treason but seen as a sin against God


Social Contract ~ Hobbes

• 17th Century & The Age of Enlightenment, People begin to challenge the monarchy and the idea of Divine Right

• Thomas Hobbes promotes the concept of government by social contract


Hobbes ~ Social Contract• In a “state of Nature” there is no

government and man is free.• However, absolute freedom has

a price… life is “cruel, brutish and short” Why?

• To escape this cruel reality, men would give up some freedom to the state; in return the government (state) would offer people security through law & order


Locke ~ Social Contract

• John Locke took Hobbes ideas one step further by promoting the “right to revolution”

• Locke believed that if the government fails to provide people with security or if the state abused its power over the people the people could change the government. Does this happen today?


Types of Government?

• Autocracy

• Oligarchy

• Democracy


Autocracies

• Power and authority to rule held by one person

• Totalitarian dictatorships (examples…)

• Monarchies- Absolute & Constitutional(examples…)

• Pros & Cons…


Oligarchies

• Power and authority to rule is held by a small group of individuals

• (Examples…)


Democracies

• From the Greek demos (people) and kratia (to rule). Thus ~ rule by the people

Too simple & naïve

• Democracy is a system of government in which people select policy makers so that policies reflect the will of those governed.

(explain…)


Two forms of Democracy

• Direct democracy allows the people the authority to govern themselves directly

• People make and vote on policies in forums

• Only exist in small communities today


Two forms of Democracy

• Representative democracy people select representatives and give them authority to make laws and run the government

• Also known as: republic, indirect democracy and constitutional republic

• Still in all, power ultimately rests with the public

• Legitimacy and Revolution?


Characteristics of Democracies

• Individual liberty

• Majority rule with consideration of the rights of the minority

• Free elections

• Competing political parties



Individual Liberty• Freedom of speech does not give a person

the right to scream, “Fire!” In a crowded theater ~ Oliver Wendell HolmesExplain….

• Remember the social contract, we agree to give up freedom for security and the rule of law.

• Civil liberties (freedom) is relative not absolute.


Majority Rule with Minority Rights• Minority refers to numerical minority not

race• Elections are won by the candidate who

wins the majority of votes. (Duh!) • However, those who hold power should be

considerate of the minority because the minority can become the majority. (Huh?)

• Representative legislatures prevent “tyranny of the majority”(Explain…)


Free Elections• Free and open elections are the cornerstone

of a democracy. (Explain…)• Amendments 15, 17, 19, 23,24, & 26 have

extended voting rights • Every vote carries the same weight• Candidates are able to express views freely• Legal voting requirements are kept to a

minimum (Examples…)• Ballots are secret (Australian Ballot) (So...)


Competing Political Parties• A political party is a group of individuals

with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, run government and make public policy.

• Parties give voters a choice and voice. A vote is a statement (Explain…)

• Parties should clarify issues and educate the public,

• Parties also serve as watchdogs

principles of government what is “the state” ? taken from the latin stare (to stand) a state is...

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