principles of government
TRANSCRIPT
CHAPTER 1
Principles of Government
Political Dictionary
Public policies All things government does
Legislative power Power to make laws
Executive power Power to enforce laws
Judicial power Power to interpret laws
Constitution Fundamental laws setting out principles, structures,
and processes of government
Government and the State
Definition of Government Institution through which society makes
and enforces public policy Legislative, judicial, and executive power Dictatorship
Power held by group or one person Democracy
Power held by the people
Government and the State
Characteristics of a State Population Territory
Land with known and recognized boundaries
Sovereignty Supreme power within its territory
Government Agency through which states exerts its will
and works towards its goals
Government and the State
Origin of the State Force Theory
Individual or group claimed control over a territory and force population to submit
Evolutionary Theory Population formed out of primitive families;
heads of families became the government
Government and the State
Divine Right Theory God created the state, making it sovereign;
Government is made up of those chosen by God Social Contract Theory
Population in a given place gave up as much power to a government as needed to promote well-being of all
Government and the State
Purposes of GovernmentForm a more perfect unionEstablish justiceInsure domestic tranquilityProvide for the common defensePromote the general welfareSecure the blessing of liberty
Forms of Government
Distribution of power Federal
Power shared by local and national government
Confederate Power centered in local governments
Unitary Power centered in national government
Forms of Government
Characterized by who can participate?
Democracy Political authority rests with the people Direct or indirect Presidential
Powers separated equally into legislative and executive branch
Parliamentary Executive branch part of legislature
Forms of Government
Dictatorship Rulers not responsible to the people Government not responsible for policies or how they
are carried out Autocracy
One person rules Oligarchy
Small group rules All are authoritarian Most are totalitarian Militaristic
Political Dictionary
Free enterprise system (Capitalism)Private
ownership of capital goods
Investments made by private decision
Basic Concepts of Democracy
Foundations of DemocracyIndividual worthEqualityMajority rule & minority rightsCompromiseIndividual freedom
Basic Concepts of Democracy
Duties of citizens Serving on a jury Serving as a witness Attending school Paying taxes Registering for the
draft Obeying laws Respecting rights of
others
Responsibilities of citizens Voting Volunteering Participating civic life Understanding our
government