THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE STATEAND

THEORIES OF RULE!

POPULATION TERRITORY SOVEREIGNTY GOVERNMENT

POPULATION

Population has a direct effect on the stability and political organization of a state

States where the population share basic beliefs or consensus have the most stable government

Mobility—people moving shift political power

TERRITORY

Established boundaries (these boundaries change as a result of war, negotiations, or purchase)

SOVEREIGNTY

The state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries (complete power to make laws, policy, etc.)

No state has the right to interfere with internal affairs of another sovereign state

States with great economic and military strength have more power

GOVERNMENT

The institution, through which that state maintains social order, provides public services and enforce decisions.

Theories of Rule

Divine Right God is the source of all Power Power flows from God (to the Pope) to the King who has the

right to do anything he wants. Natural Law and Natural Rights (Evolution)

The Natural World provides a just and rational order to all things in the world.

Rulers will emerge who follow natural law Acquired Power (Machiavellian)

Power is taken and subjects are created. Hitler followed this political philosophy

Social Contract Theory (Democratic) People agree to submit to the authority of the state. In return, the state provides protection and support.

POLITICS!

What words come to mind when you hear the word “politics”?

Does the word have a more positive or negative connotation?

Niccolo Machiavelli

Machiavelli’s name is synonymous with tough and dirty politics

Author of The Prince. One of history’s first political scientists.

Machiavelli Quotes

“The ends justify the means.” “It is better to be feared than loved.” “By no means can a prudent ruler keep

his word. Because all men are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise do not have to keep your promises to them.”

Can we be hopeful about politics?

“straight talk” campaign

Yes We Can

A neutral view of politics

Harold D. Lasswell Who gets what, when, and how. (and

where) All of us are political, we’re just not used

to calling it that. You don’t have to take a class to understand politics. Aristotle was correct when he wrote, “Man is by nature a political animal.”

JOHN LOCKE

John Locke is widely known as the Father of Liberalism, was an English philosopher and physician regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers.

He promoted that humans inherently have the rights of life, liberty, and property.

His contributions are reflected in the American Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract Theory

“The only valid government is one based on the consent of the governed.” - Locke

Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or a social contract

Government by the people Jefferson used his model in writing the

Declaration of Independence.

Locke’s influence on the US

“A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another… - John Locke, of Civil Government

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal.” - Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

ROUSSEAU Rousseau’s political philosophy

heavily influenced the French Revolution, as well as the American Revolution and the overall development of modern political, sociological and educational thought.

According to Rousseau, by joining together into civil society through the social contract, individuals can both preserve themselves and remain free.

"Man is or was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.“

His ideas are in both the Declaration and the Constitution.

MONTESQUIEU Montesquieu was a French social

commentator and political thinker who lived during the Enlightenment. He is famous for the theory of Separation of Powers, which has been implemented in many constitutions throughout the world.

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.“

“The spirit of moderation should also be the spirit of the lawgiver. “

He influenced the Constitution.

VOLTAIRE Voltaire was a French

Enlightenment writer and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil rights and liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade

Many of his ideas influenced the Bill of Rights

“Common sense is not so common. “

“I don't agree with a word you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

POLITICS-It was a set-up!!

Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decision

and the methods and tactics used to formulate and apply policy.

FEATURES OF GOVERNMENT

GOVERNMENT: an institution with the power to make and enforce rules for a group of people

FEATURES OF GOVERNMENT

Law: set of rules made and enforced by government

Government has the authority to set rules for all people living in a state or political unit.

Laws also determine how rules will be enforced (punishment)

Laws are part of public policy-plans and decisions that government makes in a particular area of public concern

FEATURES OF GOVERNMENT

SOVEREIGNTY: Absolute authority that a

government has over its citizens

FEATURES OF GOVERNMENT

LEGITIMACY: rightful authority any government has over its citizens

What gives government legitimacy? Divine right-authority from God Force Evolution Social contract-the people give up

individual authority in exchange for peace The Constitution is our social contract

The government has legitimacy because the people give it authority