Principles of Government

Is Government Necessary?

What is a State?

A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority.

There are more than

160 states in the world.

What is a State?

State / Province

vs.

State / Nation / Country

What are the EssentialFeatures of a State?

Population

Territory

Sovereignty

What is a Nation?

• Has population

• Might not have territory or sovereignty

City States

Ancient• Athens• Sparta

Modern• Singapore• Monaco• Vatican City

Other Terms You Need to Know

Industrialized Nation• Large industries

• Advanced technology

• Comfortable life for citizens

• Relatively high per capita income

U.S., France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Canada

Developing Nation• Beginning to develop major industry• Trying to acquire technology• Population is relatively poor• Low per capita income

Cuba, Angola, Paraguay, Nigeria, Vietnam

Other Terms You Need to Know

Many nations are somewhere between “industrialized” and “developing.”

Mexico, India, China,

most of South America,

Romania, Bulgaria,

Other Terms You Need to Know

“Third World” Nation• Little industry• Little technology• Very poor population• Low per capita income• Often in political turmoil

Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Honduras, much of sub-Saharan Africa

Other Terms You Need to Know

Theories of Origin of the State

Evolutionary Theory

The state developed out of the

family unit.

Force Theory

The state developed out of the need for a leader for battle, for building defenses, digging a well, etc.

Theories of Origin of the State

Divine Right Theory

God chose someone by having them born into the right family and it is wrong to oppose God’s choice.

Theories of Origin of the State

Social Contract Theory

People have basic rights. They can agree to give certain authority to a leader or government.

Theories of Origin of the State

Purposes of Government

Maintain social orderTo avoid conflict with the group

Establish society normsMarriage, crime, punishment, etc.

Provide public services

Provide national security

Make economic decisionsWhat to subsidizeWhat to buildHow to maintain economic health

Basic Forms of Government

• Great Britain• Italy• France

Basic Forms of Government

Central Government

State Government

Citizens

• Holds primary authority• Regulates activities of

states

• Little or no powers• Duties regulated by

central government

• Vote for central government officials

Independent states

agree to work together

Russia

Basic Forms of Government

Basic Forms of Government

Central government

State government

Citizens

• Limited powers to coordinate state activities

• Sovereign• Allocate some duties to

central government

• Vote for state government officials

U.S., Canada,

Switzerland,

Mexico, India,

Australia

Basic Forms of Government

Basic Forms of Government

Central Government

State Government

Citizens

• Shares power with states

• Shares power with central government

• Vote for both state and central government officials