Post on 25-Dec-2015
Participation in Gov’t
Chapter 1 – Basic Theories of Gov’t
What does a Gov’t do?
What responsibilities do they have?
What does it mean to be a citizen?
What responsibilities do you have as a citizen?
Changes in Gov’t over time
City States– Small town or village that would govern
themselves (Small countries)– Mostly farmers who supported nobility– Middle class also existed – craftsmen/business
owners– Spread out, conquered other areas and increased
size– Became empires
City States
Social Hierarchy – Upper class
Priests and nobles lived in luxury paid for by lower class taxes
Taxes today?
Lack of national unity – Constant warfare, upheaval of govt – Nationalism?
Changes in Gov’t
Empires
– Usually ruled by an individual who held complete power
– Rulers often lost touch with subjects Could not relate to common people –
– Romney’s $10K bet?
– More millionaires in Congress than ever before
Code of Hammurabi
Over 4000 years ago– 282 laws– Some very harsh and stressed personal
responsibility
– An eye for an eye – 2011 Iran– If a man slanders a woman, half of his beard will
be cut off and he will be lashed
The Greeks
Credited with inventing democracy Voted by secret ballot Jury duty
The Greeks
Emphasized personal worth– Everyone could contribute something to society
– Explored the sciences
– Religion was important, but not the only reason for their existence (unlike earlier empires)
– Govt’s role is to provide a safe environment to enjoy life
The Greeks
Public meetings to discuss important issues and pass laws
Mandatory military service Problems with society
– Slavery– Women could not take part in public affairs– Too much freedom? People couldn’t agree
Plato
Pericles
The Republic
Empower a few wise men to rule
If everyone can vote, tyranny will follow
All have equal rights under the law
Power comes from the people
The Romans
Went back and forth with emperors and representative democratic gov’ts
Upper class had significantly more power than lower– Each were represented– Upper class controlled law making Senate
The Romans
Most noted for 2 things– 1. Codified laws – wrote down laws so everyone
could learn them Laws of the Twelve Tables Based on common sense and good faith Each citizen was equal under these laws
– 2. Citizenship Vote, hold office, rights granted to all citizens
Feudalism
Lord – owns land– Lets out pieces of land to farmers (fiefs)– In return for land, followers (vassals) serve the
Lord and would fight when called upon– Peasants (serfs) worked the land in exchange for
protection as well Eventually these lords control enough land
that they become very powerful– Grew into monarchies
Emergence of Nations
People identify with where they come from
– Sense of pride (Nationalism)
– Willing to make certain sacrifices to belong
TAXES, Military Service, Obey Laws Should those who don’t do these things be granted
citizenship?
Requirements to be a Nation
1. Clearly defined boundaries – territory must be enclosed
2. Population – cant have a nation w/o people
3. Sovereignty – ability to govern themselves
4. Government – Which type best meets its needs?
Government Bodies
Every nation in the world have some things in common– 1. Lawmaking body – connects rulers to people– 2. Executive Branch and Bureaucracy
Way to enforce law and run gov’t from day to day
– 3. Court System Protect people’s rights
Constitutionalism
1215 – King James I signs the Magna Carta– Limited the power of the King
Constitutions are written documents designed to limit the power of the Govt– Does not guarantee rights everywhere– Can be ideal goals to work towards when starting
a nation or new govt
Classification of Govt’s
Political scientists label govt’s based on
– 1. Where is the power located?
– 2. How are decisions made?
– 3. How are economic decisions made?
Where is power located?
Unitary Govt – all the power in the CENTRAL govt– Small govts may only exist to carry out the wishes
of the Central govt– Every decision must go through the Central Govt
– Constitutions will prevent rulers from taking complete control
Where is power located?
Federal Govt– Power divided between the Central govt and
states
– Small governing bodies in addition to central govt
– Power generally rests with people, to elect a new leader and officials
Where is power located?
Confederate Govt– Local and state govts have all the power, central govt is
very weak
– Opposite of Unitary
– 1781 in the US? Weaknesses
– No power to tax– No way to enforce laws
How do Govts make decisions?
2 Major Categories 1. Totalitarian
– Power rests in the hands of one or a few individuals– 3 types
1. Monarchy – “Rule by one person” 2. Oligarchy – small select group makes decisions 3. Dictatorship – Power held by a person or party
Welfare of the State over welfare of the people
How do Govts make decisions?
2. Democratic Govt– Democracy – power in the peoples’ hands– Direct Democracy – all citizens take part– Indirect Democracy – election of representatives
to make a decision for the people Presidential Leadership - Limited power for an elected
president that serves definite terms Parliamentary Leadership - The party that wins the
election, takes over the executive branch
Economic Decision Making
Govt cannot print money whenever it wants– Causes inflation - money loses value
5 ways for Govt to get money– 1. Taxes– 2. Borrow money (domestically/internationally)– 3. Making/Providing products itself– 4. Develop new resources– 5. Take resources from weaker neighbors
Economic Decision Making
Capitalism - – Adam Smith – Laissez Faire
Wealth of Nations - 1776
– People have the right to choose how they are going to make their living– People own and operate any type of business that makes a legal product– Profit driven– Competition
Economic Decision Making
Socialism – – Public ownership of all the means of production
Public not private (GOVT owned)
– Allows for a more equal distribution of goods and wealth
– Kills initiative
Economic Decision Making
Communism– Limits private ownership– One Party Totalitarian system– Haves vs have nots
Bourgeoisie vs proletariat
– Atheism - complete dedication to the state No room for religion
Economic Decision Making
Fascism
– People owe all allegiance to the ruler and his party
– Every part of your life is controlled by the state
– Allows some private ownership of business, but it is closely monitored by the gov’t
Chapter 2
Building the American System on Govt
Acts that shaped our Govt
Proclamation of 1763– The continent would be closed to settlers past the
Adirondack Mountains
– Territory for the Native Americans
– Also kept rich farmland available for themselves
Acts that shaped our Govt
Sugar Act of 1764– Tax on sugar and molasses from other nations
– Designed to stop trade with French
– No sugar and molasses meant no rum
Acts that shaped our Govt
Stamp Act of 1765– Tax on printed materials
– Money used to pay for British soldiers in stationed in America
– “No taxation without representation!”
Acts that shaped our Govt
Townshend Duties (Acts) 1767– Tax on glass, paper, paint, lead and tea
– Boycott on all British goods led to the repeal of these acts as well
EXCEPT ON TEA Just to show their authority
Unification
Colonies were not looking out for each other, each was isolated and unwilling to help the other
Plans emerged as the best way to bring the colonists together
Unification
THE ALBANY PLAN– Proposed by Ben Franklin in 1754– Grand Council would hold power– All the colonies would unite to fight an invading
force to defend each other
– Opposed by the British and the colonies No one wanted to give up their power
Unification
Stamp Act Congress– Colonists hated the Stamp Act– All 13 colonies agreed it was a nuisance
– Successful boycott led to repeal of the Stamp Act