Chapter IPeople and Government

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?

• Country?

• Nation?

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

The Nation-State

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

P T S GOVERNMENT

ERRITORY

OVEREIGNTY

OPULATION

Theories of the Origin of the State

Theories of the Origin of the State

•Evolution –Evolved from the family

Theories of the Origin of the State

•Force•Submit authority to a ruling force

Theories of the Origin of the State

•Divine Right•Rulers were chosen by god

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