Chapter 1 and 2 Review

Let’s see what you guys remember from Mr. Trevett’s class…

Government

is an institution of society which creates and enforces public policies

3 Basic Types of Power

Executive

Judicial

Legislative

1. Executive Power

• The power to execute, enforce, and administer law

2. Legislative Power

• The power to make law and create public policy

3. Judicial Power

• The power to determine the meaning of laws and to settle disputes

4 Characteristics of the State

1. Population- A state has to have people to be considered a state

4 Characteristics of the State

2. Territory- it has to have land with recognized boundaries

4 Characteristics of the State

3. Sovereignty- it has power over its territories and does not have to take orders from anyone else

4 Characteristics of the State

4. Government-

there is political organization

The Government as a “Social Contract”• 17th century

scholars such as Thomas Hobbes and John Locke came up with the idea of the Social Contract

Social Contract- an agreement between people and their government; people trade sovereignty for protection

I’ll do what you want- just protect

me from these guys!

Deal.

Thomas Hobbes

- Believed that the nature of mankind is evil…

and to protect people’s rights from evil people

people should surrender all their rights to a government

The lives of men are solitary, poor nasty, brutish, and short.

We NEED government!

John LockeUnlike Hobbes, John Locke believed that most men are civil and born to enjoy freedom…

he was not too crazy about the idea of a government

But he agreed that government was necessary to secure freedom and happiness

So if a government got too powerful or unfair, people should overthrow it and create a new one

Everyone has a right to protect their life, liberty and pursuit of

happiness (property)

Forms of Government

Unitary Government- all power is centralized a single body- NOT THE SAME AS A DICTATORSHIP

Federal Government- power is divided between a central government and smaller governments

Confederate Government- it is an alliance of states that doesn’t have to answer to a central government

Forms of GovernmentPresidential Government- the Forms of Government executive and legislative bodies are separate

Parliamentary Government- the executive is elected from the legislative body

Forms of Government

Socialism- the idea that wealth should be equitably distributed throughout society

Communism- the idea that the state should own all property and businesses until people are ready to share everything equally

Dictatorship vs. Democracy

Adolf Hitler- German dictator during WW2

Franklin D. Roosevelt- US President, democratic leader during WW2

Dictatorship vs. Democracy

A Dictatorship is a system of rule in which one person or a small group of people hold all the power. It’s usually a harsh type of government.

A Democracy is a system of rule in which the people hold the power

Democracy

Direct IndirectIt is the purest form of democracy. Public law is put into practice directly by the people. It is only possible in small communities.

People vote for representatives to make decisions for them. The United States is a perfect example of indirect democracy.

Majority Rules in Democracy• But the

minority still has a voice

Free Enterprise

• The idea that people should be able to trade and sell freely

• Supply and Demand

The Story of the Magna Carta

King John was a very unpleasant king who abused his powers.

He taxed the nobles without consulting anyone.

He put people in prison without a fair trial.

He stole from the church.

The nobles became fed up with his corruption and forced him to sign the Magna Carta to put an end to it.

The Magna Carta 1215

• Provided due process – rights to life, liberty, and happiness

• Right to a fair trial

• Limited power of the king

The American Revolution• As the 13 colonies started

to feel a sense of unity, they began to entertain the idea of revolution

• No Taxation Without Representation!!!

• They decided to send delegates from each colony to discuss their issues at First and Second Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence

More than 500 years after King John signed the Magna Carta, the American colonists drafted the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

Declaration of Independence

• Complained about the British king’s abuse of powers

• Government only exists to serve the people

• Declared that all men are created equal

• Stated their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness