Introduction: Chapter 1

Government - Institution through which society makes and

enforces its public policies.

Introduction

• 4 purposes of Government– Provide protection for the people– Maintain social order by making and enforcing

laws– Provide essential services for the people– Make decisions that influence the nations

economy

• Theories of How Government Originated– Divine Right Theory

• Rules are chosen by the gods• Religion is the basis of authority

– Evolutionary Theory• Developed by Charles Darwin• Family was the 1st form of Govt.• The family is the basis of authority

– Force Theory• Seizure of power was the 1st act of Govt.• Might makes right

Theories

• Social Contract Theory– Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan

• Tried to describe government• Leader selected and contract made to follow rules• Better than anarchy

– John Locke wrote Two Treaties of Govt.• Agreed with Hobbes about contract, however he believed if

people were unhappy they had the right to renegotiate or make a new contract

• State exists to serve the people• People voluntarily give up some rights to be governed• Changed our view of the world

Vocabulary

• Legislative – make laws (congress)

• Executive – enforce the laws (president)

• Judicial – interpret the laws (courts)

• Separation of power – division of power between legislative, executive, and judicial branches

• Constitution – a written or unwritten plan of Govt.• Politics – the effort to control or influence govt.

conduct and policies• Political Party – a group of individuals with broad

common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, conduct govt., and determine public policy

• Developing nation – nations that are in the early stages of industry and technology

Types of Governments

• Aristotle – Greek scholar – He was one of the early students of government. He identified types of governments.

Types

• Dictatorship – political system in which one person or a small group hold absolute power.– Autocracy – the power to rule is in the hands of a

single individual.– Oligarchy – a small group holds absolute power.

– Features • 1 party: sometimes hold elections but only 1 party running.• Strong police force• Unitary system – a govt. that gives all key powers to a

national govt.

Types

• Democracy – Govt. in which the people rule.– Representative democracy or Republic – a

govt. in which voters hold sovereign power; elect representatives to exercise that power.

• Key elements– Free elections with competing political parties.– Individual liberty.– Will of the majority cannot be used to deny minority

groups of their rights.– Federal system – a govt. that divides power between the

national and state levels.

Criteria needed for democracy to succeed

• Active citizen participation

• Favorable economy

• Education

• Strong Civil Society

• Social Consensus

Vocabulary

• Confederacy – a loose alliance of independent states

• Revenue – money the govt. collects from taxes and other sources

• Limited Government – a system in which the power of govt. is not absolute

Economics

• Economics – study of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants through the use of limited resources.Capitalism – an economic system providing free choice

and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises

• Adam Smith – Scottish philosopher and economist, considered the “Father of Capitalism”

Free Market – system in which buyers and sellers make free choices in the market place

Economics

• Socialism – an economic system in which the govt. owns the basic means of production, distribution, and provides social services– Attempts to distribute wealth and economic

opportunity equally

Economics

• Communism – an economic system in which the central govt. directs all major economic decisions– Karl Marx – German philosopher that believed

class struggle would lead to revolution.• Divides people into 2 groups

– Bourgeoisie – people that own the means of production– Proletariat – the workers

• Govt. decides how much to produce, what to produce and how to distribute goods and services

Economics

• Mixed Economy – the economic system that combines free enterprise with govt. regulation; the United States is considered to have a mixed economy based on free enterprise.

Chapter 2 Notes

• English had greatest impact on U.S. Govt.

• 1066 – William, Duke of Normandy conquered England – 1st centralized govt. in England

• 1215 – King John was forced to sign Magna Carta– Established the principle of limited govt.

Chapter 2 Notes

• 1400 – Parliament was established; With 2 chambers.

• 1628 – Parliament passed the Petition of Right; placed clear limits on the

power of King.

• 1689 – William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. Did away with Divine Right of Monarchs.

Chapter 2 Notes

• Code of Hammurabi – 1st code of written laws (1790 B.C.)

• 10 Commandments – strict moral code of Hebrew laws that influence many of our laws today.

• Machiavelli – wrote The Prince (1532), advising rulers to do anything necessary to remain in control. Don’t be hampered by considerations of honor or justice.

• Baron de Montesquieu – wrote Spirit of Laws (1750). Father of Constitutions – called for separation of powers with 3 co-equal branches.

Chapter 2 Notes

• Mayflower Compact – agreement signed by pilgrims declaring that they would be self governing.

• Virginia House of Burgesses – 1st elected legislature in America.

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – 1st written constitution in colonial America.

• New England Confederation – early colonial organization formed for defense against Native Americans.

• Maryland Toleration Act – basis for religious freedom in Colonial America.

Chapter 2 Notes

• Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin’s attempt to organize the colonies for trade and defense.

• Stamp Act Congress – organized protests against British policies in colonial

America.

• 1st Continental Congress – called because of Intolerable Acts; led to embargo.

Chapter 2 Notes

• 2nd Continental Congress – assumed the power of a central govt. during the

Revolutionary War. (1st govt. of U.S.)

• Declaration of Independence – chief author was Thomas Jefferson. Gave reasons we were rebelling.

Chapter 2 Notes

• Articles of Confederation – 1st written govt. of the U.S.– Only 1 branch of govt. – legislative branch

• No president • No courts

– Power to: 1. enter into treaties 2. make war and peace

3. set up a monetary system