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