Chapter 1: Foundations of Government Unit 1
Purposes and Origins of Government
The Functions of Government Anarchy a state without government and laws Why would people not want to live under this system? Government Leadership Order Public services Security and defense Economic assistance/security
Origins of the State Evolutionary Theory Government came about because extended families needed more organization The heads of ancient families served as the authority over the group Force Theory States emerged when people needed to cooperate to survive but could become organized only when one or more people took countrol
Origins of the State Divine Right Theory The right to rule comes from God alone The state exists to serve the demands of God Opposing the monarchy is opposing God Social Contract Theory Thomas Hobbes: People surrendered their freedom to the state, in return, they received order and security John Locke: People had natural rights and the social contract was made between the people and a government that promised to preserve these rights
Type of Government
Systems of Government Unitary System gives all key powers to the central government Confederate System loose union of independent and sovereign states Federal System government divides the powers between the national and state governments
Constitutional Governments The purposes of a constitution Ideals that are shared and believed in by the people Establishes and defines the structure of government Provides the supreme law for the country Constitutional government constitution has authority to place limits on the powers of those who govern Limited government Incomplete guides why?
Major Types of Government Who governs? Who/what gives the government it s power? Who benefits from government? Authoritarian/Totalitarian Leadership that controls all aspects of citizens economic and social lives Power in the hands of one/a small group of people Dictatorship, oligarchy Monarchy One person has great power; king, queen, emperor inherits the throne and heads the state Democratic System in which rule is by the people, either through representatives or directly
Principles of Democracy Citizen Participation Duty, not just a right Regular Free and Fair Elections People have the power to elect and turn over representation without corruption/interference Accepting the Results of Elections Because the elections are free and fair, the outcome is also free and fair The Rule of Law No one is above the law; all laws will be equally, fairly, and consistently enforced
Principles of Democracy Majority Rule with Minority Rights Although the majority wins, the rights of those in minority groups must also be protected Accountability Elected/appointed officials are responsible for their actions and have to be accountable to the people Transparency The people must be aware of the actions their government is taking Limited Government and a Bill of Rights List of citizens rights and freedoms
Principles of Democracy Control of the Abuse of Power The government must be structured in such a way that corruption can be limited/stopped Economic Freedom The government allows some private ownership of property and businesses Equality All individuals should be valued equally and be free from discrimination
Principles of Democracy Individual or Human Rights Rights all people have simply because they are human beings Independent Judiciary Courts and the judicial system should be fair and impartial Competing Political Parties Freedom to form political parties to help organize individuals
The Role of Government in Economic Systems
Capitalism and Mixed Economies Free market/free enterprise an economic system in which buyers and sellers make free choices in the marketplace Origins Adam Smith 1700s Laissez-faire government should keep its hands off the economy Application in the U.S. Individual freedom = freedom to make economic choices Some regulation Mixed Economies system in which the government regulates private enterprise (mix of capitalism and socialism)
Socialism What are the goals of socialism? Owns most land, basic industries, other means of production Government determines use of resources and distribution strategies Provides extensive social services: education, health care, welfare Equal distribution of wealth Early Socialism Europe & USA 1800s View that capitalism was too cruel, too much greed, regulation was necessary to help the people Democratic Socialism citizens have basic democratic rights, but in economics, there is more government involvement
Communism and Command Economies How does a command economy work? Economic system where the government controls all factors of production, politics, media Karl Marx mid-1800s Bourgeoisie capitalists who own the means of production Proletariat workers who produce the goods