Download - Intro to Government: Purpose?
Intro to Government:
Purpose?
Unit 1Basic Concepts
Journal topic #2Name:Date:Copy question:
What role should government play in our lives? What role should
we play in government?
What does this mean?
“A Nation of Sheep will begat a government of Wolves.”
- Edward R. Murrow
What is Civics?
• Civics:
• The branch of political science that deals with the rights and duties of citizens.
What is a Citizen?
A person owing loyalty to and protection from a state or nation.
What is Civics?
Civic Responsibility:
Active citizenship for the betterment of the community through economic, political, and social participation.
“To be a good citizen of this country one must have knowledge of and be
active in politics.” - Pres. T. Roosevelt
“Duties of an American Citizen” 1883
“Democracy only works with political participation”
To exercise your rights, you have to be AWARE of them
What is the law? What are YOUR legal rights?
Respect for law is crucial. Why?
Definition of Government Government:
The legitimate use of force to control human behavior.
What is the appropriate amount of force to control a classroom, city, state, nation?
SLC man killed by police when attacks police officer with a shovel
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=33042457
What happened in Ferguson, MO?
Basic Forms of Government Autocracy: “auto” means “self” “cracy” means “govern”
One “self appointed” person holds all of the power. (aka: Tyranny)
– Leader glorified– Government controls all aspects of social and economic life
Basic Forms of Government Autocracy: SINGLE PERSON holds power
Dictatorships: One individual holds absolute power and exercises that power unjustly. Usually obtains power by force.
Despotism: Ruled by a single leader who has unlimited control. Imposes rule using violence (usually a dictator). Claims to have been appointed by God.
Examples of autocracy?
Can you think of others?
Forms of Government Oligarchy:
“Oli” means “few” “garchy” means “govern”
Power is held by a small group of people who share the same social position, wealth, monetary and political interest, or military power.
“Power by the few”
Forms of GovernmentOligarchy: SMALL GROUP hold power.
Aristocracy: Royal Families (England)
Theocracy: Rule by religion (Iran)
Plutocracy: Power by the wealthy
Is the United States a plutocracy? Evidence?
Stop and review… What’s the basic difference between an
autocracy and an oligarchy?
Do the following people represent an autocracy or oligarchy?
Autocracy or oligarchy?
Fidel Castro
China
Forms of Government Anarchies:
“An” means “without”
“archy” means govern/ruler
Lack of government or central power of control.
Would you want this?
Forms of Government Democracies: “Demo” means “the common people” “cracy” means “govern”
Power held by the many; power shared by everyone in the population.
Everyone gets an equal say…everyone gets to vote on every question.
Should we do homework tonight? Autocracy (WHITLOCK SAYS “YES!”), Democracy…?
Forms of GovernmentExample: the ancient Greek Assembly
Is the United States a democracy?
Nope…not a democracy… The Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase:
"and to the republic for which it stands."
Republic (Representative Democracy):
People choose representatives who, in turn, make policy decisions on their behalf.
Intention of Founding Fathers
Why does government exist? The Four major purposes of government:
Maintain Order
Provide for the General Welfare
Promote Domestic Tranquility
Provide for a Common Defense
Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order
Order: preserving life and protecting property.
Laws
Enforcing those laws
Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order
Social Order: Enforcing the established patterns of authority, that is, what is the standard for that community?
Examples: liquor laws
Government Purpose #1: Maintain Order
What other examples of social order can be found in our country, state, city, school?
Dilemma of Government The original dilemma of government involved
freedom versus order.
How much freedom are people willing to give up to achieve complete safety?
The modern dilemma of government involves freedom versus equality.
Should government act to promote equal access for women and African Americans to high-paying jobs, even though this restricts the freedom of their employers?
2002
Civil Rights vs. Civil LibertiesCivil Rights
The right of every person to equal protection under the law and equal access to society’s opportunities and public facilities.
Ex. Segregation
Civil Liberties Individual rights that are protected from a violation by the
government. Ex. First Amendment / Bill of Rights
Public opinion dictates the extend of civil liberties and rights.
Varies from generation to generation
Frontline: Are we safer?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/teach/are-we-safer/
Here at home? Utah Data Center (also known as,
Intelligence Community Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative Data Center)
Liberty Security Privacy
From: http://nsa.gov1.info/utah-data-center/
Purpose of Government #2: Providing For the General Welfare Public Goods:
Benefits and services for all citizens Parks, Roads, Water, Education, Sanitation, Power,
etc.
Purpose of Government #3: Promote Domestic Tranquility
Equality of opportunity: Each person has the same chance to succeed.
Some believe that the best will naturally rise to the top.
Examples:
The Civil Rights Act (1964) Title IV (1972) Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)
Equality of opportunity
Provides in a sense that all start the race of life at the same time.
Purpose of Government #3: Promote Domestic Tranquility
Equality of outcome: Government policies should promote economic and social equality.
Improve quality of life for all.
Examples: the U.S. welfare system Social Security
Equality of outcome
Attempts to ensure that everyone finishes at the same time.
What is the basic purpose of government?
* to equalize opportunity so that those with natural strengths will rise to the top?
OR
*provide assistance for those less advantaged to improve quality of life for all.
Equality Cont… Political Equality:
All citizens have one vote and only one vote.
Social Equality: Citizens have the same status and rights to
wealth, education and status.
Example: marital status
Purpose of Government #4: Provide for a Common Defense National Defense Military Protecting the nation’s borders and
interests
United States as a ‘nation-state’ What does this mean?
State
A legal/political entity Comprised of:
a) a permanent population;
b) a defined territory;
c) a government ; and
d) the capacity to enter into relations with other states
States have sovereignty
Each government has right to govern its people as it wishes, without interference from other nations.
Nation:
Socio-cultural entity
A union of people who share a common culture and language.
U.S. as Nation-State Mix of both
Single or multiple nationalities joined together in a formal political union.
Determines an official language(s), a system of law, manages a currency system, uses a bureaucracy to order elements of society, identifies with abstract entities like “The United States.”
Ethnicity in the U.S.
2000 Census
Top 5 Largest Ancestral Groups in U.S.: #5: English #4: Mexican #3: Irish #2: African Americans #1: Germans