introduction: chapter 1 government - institution through which society makes and enforces its public...
TRANSCRIPT
Introduction: Chapter 1
Government - Institution through which society makes and
enforces its public policies.
Introduction
• 4 purposes of Government– Provide protection for the people– Maintain social order by making and enforcing
laws– Provide essential services for the people– Make decisions that influence the nations
economy
• Theories of How Government Originated– Divine Right Theory
• Rules are chosen by the gods• Religion is the basis of authority
– Evolutionary Theory• Developed by Charles Darwin• Family was the 1st form of Govt.• The family is the basis of authority
– Force Theory• Seizure of power was the 1st act of Govt.• Might makes right
Theories
• Social Contract Theory– Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan
• Tried to describe government• Leader selected and contract made to follow rules• Better than anarchy
– John Locke wrote Two Treaties of Govt.• Agreed with Hobbes about contract, however he believed if
people were unhappy they had the right to renegotiate or make a new contract
• State exists to serve the people• People voluntarily give up some rights to be governed• Changed our view of the world
Vocabulary
• Legislative – make laws (congress)
• Executive – enforce the laws (president)
• Judicial – interpret the laws (courts)
• Separation of power – division of power between legislative, executive, and judicial branches
• Constitution – a written or unwritten plan of Govt.• Politics – the effort to control or influence govt.
conduct and policies• Political Party – a group of individuals with broad
common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, conduct govt., and determine public policy
• Developing nation – nations that are in the early stages of industry and technology
Types of Governments
• Aristotle – Greek scholar – He was one of the early students of government. He identified types of governments.
Types
• Dictatorship – political system in which one person or a small group hold absolute power.– Autocracy – the power to rule is in the hands of a
single individual.– Oligarchy – a small group holds absolute power.
– Features • 1 party: sometimes hold elections but only 1 party running.• Strong police force• Unitary system – a govt. that gives all key powers to a
national govt.
Types
• Democracy – Govt. in which the people rule.– Representative democracy or Republic – a
govt. in which voters hold sovereign power; elect representatives to exercise that power.
• Key elements– Free elections with competing political parties.– Individual liberty.– Will of the majority cannot be used to deny minority
groups of their rights.– Federal system – a govt. that divides power between the
national and state levels.
Criteria needed for democracy to succeed
• Active citizen participation
• Favorable economy
• Education
• Strong Civil Society
• Social Consensus
Vocabulary
• Confederacy – a loose alliance of independent states
• Revenue – money the govt. collects from taxes and other sources
• Limited Government – a system in which the power of govt. is not absolute
Economics
• Economics – study of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants through the use of limited resources.Capitalism – an economic system providing free choice
and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises
• Adam Smith – Scottish philosopher and economist, considered the “Father of Capitalism”
Free Market – system in which buyers and sellers make free choices in the market place
Economics
• Socialism – an economic system in which the govt. owns the basic means of production, distribution, and provides social services– Attempts to distribute wealth and economic
opportunity equally
Economics
• Communism – an economic system in which the central govt. directs all major economic decisions– Karl Marx – German philosopher that believed
class struggle would lead to revolution.• Divides people into 2 groups
– Bourgeoisie – people that own the means of production– Proletariat – the workers
• Govt. decides how much to produce, what to produce and how to distribute goods and services
Economics
• Mixed Economy – the economic system that combines free enterprise with govt. regulation; the United States is considered to have a mixed economy based on free enterprise.
Chapter 2 Notes
• English had greatest impact on U.S. Govt.
• 1066 – William, Duke of Normandy conquered England – 1st centralized govt. in England
• 1215 – King John was forced to sign Magna Carta– Established the principle of limited govt.
Chapter 2 Notes
• 1400 – Parliament was established; With 2 chambers.
• 1628 – Parliament passed the Petition of Right; placed clear limits on the
power of King.
• 1689 – William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. Did away with Divine Right of Monarchs.
Chapter 2 Notes
• Code of Hammurabi – 1st code of written laws (1790 B.C.)
• 10 Commandments – strict moral code of Hebrew laws that influence many of our laws today.
• Machiavelli – wrote The Prince (1532), advising rulers to do anything necessary to remain in control. Don’t be hampered by considerations of honor or justice.
• Baron de Montesquieu – wrote Spirit of Laws (1750). Father of Constitutions – called for separation of powers with 3 co-equal branches.
Chapter 2 Notes
• Mayflower Compact – agreement signed by pilgrims declaring that they would be self governing.
• Virginia House of Burgesses – 1st elected legislature in America.
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – 1st written constitution in colonial America.
• New England Confederation – early colonial organization formed for defense against Native Americans.
• Maryland Toleration Act – basis for religious freedom in Colonial America.
Chapter 2 Notes
• Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin’s attempt to organize the colonies for trade and defense.
• Stamp Act Congress – organized protests against British policies in colonial
America.
• 1st Continental Congress – called because of Intolerable Acts; led to embargo.
Chapter 2 Notes
• 2nd Continental Congress – assumed the power of a central govt. during the
Revolutionary War. (1st govt. of U.S.)
• Declaration of Independence – chief author was Thomas Jefferson. Gave reasons we were rebelling.