what is government?
Post on 30-Dec-2015
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What is government? Every person must write a word or phrase on the
board.
Get out a half sheet and answer the following questions:
Based on your own thoughts and maybe combining what your peers wrote on the board, what is a government?
We know governments exist, but are they essential?◦Provide 2 reasons why they are and 2
reasons why they may not be
Learning Targets for the day
I can ◦define government and the basic powers
every government holds◦describe the four defining characteristics of
the state◦identify four theories that attempt to explain
the origin of the state◦understand the purpose of government in the
United States and other countries
Government
The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.◦What are public policies?
Public Policies
All of the things a government decides to do◦Therefore, what types of issues does government have to deal with?
Rank the above in order of importance to you (9 = most important)
TaxationDefenseEducationCrimeHealth careThe environmentCivil rightsWorker rightsWelfare
Tackling these issues is a part of the political game. Politics◦“Man is by nature a political animal.” -Aristotle
◦Is politics a bad word?
So where does all of this (government, public policy, politics) take place?
The State
PopulationTerritorySovereigntyGovernment
How did the state come about?
Major Political Ideas
The Force TheoryThe Evolutionary TheoryThe Divine Right TheoryThe Social Contract Theory
Force Theory
One person or a group claimed control over an area and forced all within it to submit to that person’s or group’s rule.
Evolutionary Theory
The state was born naturally out of the family unit concept. One person was the head of a household (little government), then a network of related families formed clans (a little bigger government), then the clan became a tribe (much larger government), then the tribe took to agriculture and tied itself to the land. Then the state was born.
Divine Right Theory
People were bound to obey the ruler as proscribed by sacred religious beliefs, and then heredity.
Social Contract Theory
Thomas Hobbes◦“In the state of nature profit is the
measure of right.”John Locke
◦“Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.”
Jean Jacques Rousseau◦“Man is born free, and everywhere he is
in chains.”
Purpose of Government (at least ours- What does each really mean? Does America accomplish these?)
Form a More Perfect UnionEstablish JusticeInsure Domestic TranquilityProvide for the Common DefensePromote the General WelfareSecure the Blessing of Liberty
Read Section 1: Government and the State◦Have them answer the two questions
Forms of Government
I can◦Classify governments according to three sets of
characteristics◦Define systems of government based on who
can participate◦Identify different ways that power can be
distributed, geographically, within a state◦Describe a government by how power is
distributed between the executive branch and legislative branch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOTKA0aGI0&feature=player_embedded
Who Can Participate?
DemocracyAutocracy
◦DictatorshipOligarchy
Current Autocrats
What an oligarchy might look like.
Geographic Distribution of Power
UnitaryFederalConfederate
Relationship Between Legislative and Execute Branches
Presidential SystemParliamentary System
What are the differences? Which is better?
Think-pair-share the three views of the presidency.
Basic Concepts of Democracy
I can◦Understand the foundations of
democracy◦Analyze the connections between
democracy and the free enterprise system
◦Identify the role of the Internet in a democracy
What does this image say about democracy? Do you agree?
Basic Notions of Democracy
A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person
A respect for the equality of all personsA faith in majority rule and an insistence
upon minority rightsAn acceptance of the necessity of
compromiseAn insistence upon the widest possible
degree of individual freedom
What Hart Adds to This Definition
Control over government decision about policy is constitutionally vested in elected officials
Elected officials are chosen in frequent and fairly conducted elections
Practically all adults have the right to vote Practically all adults have the right to run for elective office Citizens should have the rights to express themselves
without danger of severe punishment Citizens have a right to seek out alternative sources of
information Citizens have the right to form relatively independent
associations or organizations Popularly elected officials cannot be overridden by unelected
officials The polity must be self-governing
What does this say about democracy? Do you agree? Solutions?
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