Foundations of American Government

The Foundations of American Government

Head-Scratcher?

What type of government does the United States have today?

Types of Government

Monarchy:Form of government in which political power is held by a single ruler such as a king or queen. Historically, monarchies have been “absolute”, or legally unlimited, or “constitutional,” in which the powers of the monarch are limited.

Types of Government

Totalitarian:A form of government inwhich one person or party exercises absolute control over all aspects of life, demanding devotion to an official ideology and using terror and modern technology to ensure that no independent organizations, especially political opposition, can function.

Types of Government

Authoritarian:A form of government in which all personal liberties are completely subordinate to the authority of the state. This authority is centered on one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people.

Types of Government

Oligarchy:A form of government in which all power is vested in a few persons or in a dominant class or clique; government by the few.

Types of Government

Democracy:Literally defined as “rule of the people,” democracy is a form of government in which all citizens exercise political power, either directly or through their elected representatives.

Types of Government

Republic:A form of government that derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, is administered by officials holding power for a limited time, and incorporates representative institutions.

Why are there so few examples of successful democratic governments in history?

Contract Theory

The belief that people are free and equal by natural right, and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed.

1. What do you think?

Rate your opinion on the following quotes.1. You strongly agree and

feel that it is admirable.

2. .3. .4. .5. You strongly disagree

and feel that it is contemptible.

“I put for a general inclination of all mankind, a perpetual and restless desire after poer, that ceaseth only in death.”

2. What do you think?

Rate your opinion on the following quotes.1. You strongly agree and

feel that it is admirable.2. .3. .4. .5. You strongly disagree

and feel that it is contemptible.

“The liberty of man, in society, is to be under no other legislative power,

but that established, by

consent, in the commonwealth.”

3. What do you think?

Rate your opinion on the following quotes.1. You strongly agree and

feel that it is admirable.2. .3. .4. .5. You strongly disagree

and feel that it is contemptible.

“Where there is no property

there is no injustice.”

4. What do you think?

Rate your opinion on the following quotes.1. You strongly agree and

feel that it is admirable.2. .3. .4. .5. You strongly disagree

and feel that it is contemptible.

“Government is necessary, not because man is naturally bad…but because man is by nature more individualistic than social.”

5. What do you think?

Rate your opinion on the following quotes.1. You strongly agree and

feel that it is admirable.2. .3. .4. .5. You strongly disagree

and feel that it is contemptible.

“Covenants without the sword are but words.”