Principles of Government

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Principles of Government

• 1-1

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Are You Aware?

• In the last 50 years the number of countries in
  the world has more than doubled. In 2000, there
  were 196 independent countries, each with its own
  people and government.

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I. Essential Features of a State (p.6-8)

• Population people who make up the nation (cue
  Skeleton Man)
• Geography an area with fixed boundaries.
• Sovereignty absolute authority within its
  territorial borders.
• Government maintains order, provides public
  services, enforces decisions.

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II. Theories of the Origin of the State, in
briefs (p.8).

• The state evolved from the family group.
• One person or a group used force to establish its
  authority to govern the people. (Thomas Hobbes
  Leviathan)
• The rulers of the people were chosen by the gods
  to govern. (Divine Right of Kings)
• The people gave the government its power to rule
  them, and in return the government had to respect
  the peoples rights. (John Locke, Rousseau, etc.
  Social Contract Theory)

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III. The Purposes of Government (p.9-11)

• Governments are needed to maintain social order
  by making and enforcing laws.
• Governments provide essential services for
  people, such as promoting public health and
  safety.
• Governments protect people from attack by other
  states and from internal threats such as
  terrorism.
• Governments pass laws that shape and control the
  nations economy in various ways.
• The aforementioned purposes are the opinions of
  the textbook writers and subject to the debate of
  an informed populace. WELCOME TO DEMOCRACY!