Post on 12-Jan-2016
Section –IPrinciples of Government
• How many countries are there in the world today?
• The answer…
• About 200 is probably the best current answer to the question.
Why is there not an exact number?
• There are dozens of territories and colonies that are sometimes erroneously called "countries" but are not.– Bermuda– Puerto Rico– Northern Ireland– Scotland
They're not fully independent countries
State vs. Country?
• State and country generally have the same meaning
– Political community– Definite boundaries– Sovereignty – freedom to make rules and
laws without getting approval from another– Independent government
So, are PA and NY countries?
• Not exactly
• Political divisions in the United States are called states because:– When the colonies banded together to fight
the British, they thought of themselves as independent countries.
If State = Country, What about the term Nation?
• Nation- a group of people united by culture
• These groups of people do not have to have a definite boundary or independent government– Example: French Canadians, Nation of Islam,
Aryan Nation
• However, the terms State, Nation and Country are often used interchangeably
Four Essential Features of The State (Country)
• Population– The people must agree or share a consensus
about the basic beliefs in the state• Territory
– An area with fixed boundaries– Can change because of war, purchase, annexation
• Sovereignty– Absolute authority, within its territorial
boundaries• Government
– Maintains order, provides services, enforces decisions
Theories of the Origin of the State
•Evolution –Evolved from the family
Theories of the Origin of the State
•Social Contract Theory• People gave gov't power in return for
safety• A government of “rules,” not “rulers”
Locke vs. Hobbes
• Hobbes – “state of nature” world without gov’t, “nasty, brutish, short”
• Locke – “life, liberty, and property”
The Purposes of Government
• Maintain Social Order– Courts– Pay Taxes– Makes laws
The Purposes of Government
• Provide Essential Public Services– School– Police and Fire Services– FDA– Construction of Highways
The Purposes of Government
• National Security– Armed Services– Alliances or Treaties– United Nations– CIA
Control the Nations Economy
• Capitalism• Socialism• Communism• Make Economic Decisions
– Money Supply– Currency– Interest Rate– Banking– Taxes