AP Government & Politics: Timpanogos High School

Unit 1 - Foundations of Government

Targets 1.1 WHY STUDY GOVERNMENT – 1.2

THEORIES OF GOVERNMENT

THE STUDY Of GOVERNMENT

TEAMS• Why should we study government?• Do we need government? Why or Why not?

What would happen if government ceased to exist?

• Today, is government doing a good job or not? Write down one area the government is doing a good job and one where they are not. (Be Specific)

• Do you think our government has become too powerful today? If so, in what way? (be specific) What limits should be placed on Government?

Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School

AP Government & Politics: Timpanogos High School

1.1 Why Study Government?• Government affects many aspects of our lives

Government decisions ( public policy & Nation Security policy ) touches almost every aspect of our lives…

The role of government changed dramatically in the 20th century

1.1 Why Study Government?• Enduring Political Questions:

Who has the power?

• Who Actually Exercises Political Power?

What ultimate ends do (should) governments serve?

• What “greater good” is government set up for? (Aristotle: governments should exist for some higher good.)

• What kinds of public policies should government adopt to achieve this greater good?

AP Government & Politics: Timpanogos High School

Government & Citizenship Timpanogos High School

1.2 Enduring Theories of Government

• Aristotle… Systematic Study of Government Autocracy, Oligarchy, Democracy

• Plato… Philosopher-Kings The Republic

AP Government & Politics: Timpanogos High School

1.2 Enduring Theories of Government

• Machiavelli…

The Prince… “The ends justify the means”

• John Locke…

Natural Rights… “Life, Liberty, and property”

AP Government & Politics: Timpanogos High School

1.2 Enduring Theories of Government• James Madison -

Human nature & the need for government

“But what is government itself but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If all men were angels, no government would be necessary”.

» James Madison, Federalist #51

• Thomas Jefferson - Size and scope of government “The government that governs least governs best”

» Thomas Jefferson