Introduction: Chapter 1

1
Introduction Chapter 1

• Government - Institution through
  which society makes and enforces its public
  policies.

2
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

3

Theories

• 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

4

• 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

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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

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• 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

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Types of Governments

• Aristotle Greek scholar He was one of the
  early students of government. He identified
  types of governments.

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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.

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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.

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Criteria needed for democracy to succeed

• Active citizen participation
• Favorable economy
• Education
• Strong Civil Society
• Social Consensus

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. Dont 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.

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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.

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Chapter 2 Notes

• Albany Plan of Union Ben Franklins 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.

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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.

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Chapter 2 Notes

• Articles of Confederation 1st written govt. of
  the U.S.
• Only 1 branch of govt. legislative branch
• No president
• No courts
• Power to 1. enter into treaties
  2. make war and peace
  
  
  3. set up a monetary system