1 POLITICAL
2 NOT POLITICAL
3 POLITICAL
4 NOT POLITICAL
5 POLITICAL
6 NOT POLITICAL
7 POLITICAL
8 POLITICAL
9 POLITICAL?
10 What is government & what is its purpose? Why do we NEED government?Government & the State What is government & what is its purpose? Why do we NEED government?
11 What Is Government? Definition: An institution which creates the public policies of a State. Institution: Group of people who exercise power/authority. Make the Laws Enforce the Laws Settle Disputes Democracy vs. Republic & Oligarchy vs. Dictatorship Public policies: Laws, regulations, rules, restrictions, etc. Taxation, Property, Defense, Healthcare, Education, etc. State: self-governing political entity Entity: A thing with distinct & independent existence ***Note: State is different than state, don’t confuse them!!! All governments possess these powers. The type of government is determined by how this power is distributed.
12 The State Four Characteristics of a State:Population Homogenous – sharing customs, beliefs, language, etc. Territory Government Sovereignty {Right to self-rule; supreme power} Four Theories on the Origins of the State Evolutionary Theory Force Theory Divine Right Theory Social Contract Theory (The Enlightenment) An agreement between government and the governed: People agree to abide by polices of the government in exchange for protection and an ordered society. Thomas Hobbes vs. John Locke
13 States, Countries, Nations & Nation-StatesFirst, let’s re-define State… A self-governing political entity. Now, let’s define Country… A self-governing political entity, yes…it’s the same. What about Nation… A community of people who share a common set of beliefs, values, customs, a common language, religion, or heritage but do NOT have sovereignty. And finally, a Nation-State? A sovereign State (self-governing political entity) whose population is relatively homogenous.
14 Types of Government (States)Autocracy (Rule by one) - Authoritarian Absolute Monarchy Dictatorship/Military Junta/Despotism Totalitarian State/Fascism Oligarchy (Rule by a group) - Authoritarian Theocracy Plutocracy Aristocracy Democracy (Rule by the many) – “Will of the People” Direct vs. Indirect (Representative) Republic – A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated executive, rather than a monarch.
15 Classifying Governments How do we Identify different governments?Three Basic Questions: What is the distribution of power? (The level of centralization) Unitary - power is in the hands of a strong central government Federation – power is shared between central and regional governments Confederation* – power is in the hands of strong regional governments What is the relationship between the executive & legislative? Presidential - executive & legislative powers are separated (U.S./Mexico/Can) Semi-Presidential – executive and legislative powers are shared (France/Russia) Parliamentary – executive and legislative powers are combined (U.K./Spain) Who can participate in government? (Directly or Indirectly) Autocracy – Power is centered in the hands of one person Monarchy, Constitutional Monarchy, Dictatorship, Despotism, etc. Oligarchy – Only a select few can participate in government Democracy – all citizens can participate in government Republic, Constitutional Republic, Democratic Republic*, etc.
16 What is the Distribution of Power?Unitary Government All power rests with a single, central, agency Relatively weak regional governments Ex. – The United Kingdom, France, Italy, & Japan Federation Government (Federal System, or Federalism) Powers are divided between central & regional governments Central (National/Federal) vs. Regional (State/Provincial) Ex. – United States, Germany, Brazil, Australia & Mexico Confederation Government (Confederacy) Power rests with regional governments Regions/provinces (members) maintain large degree of self-rule Relatively weak central government (defense, currency, etc.) Ex. – The Confederate States of America/The European Union Ex. – Serbia and Montenegro ( ), Switzerland
17 How are Legislative & Executive Power DividedPresidential Government Executive & Legislative powers are completely separated Executive power is vested in a President, often popularly elected President is both Head of State & Head of Government President is subject to the will of the people, not the legislature Ex. The United States & Mexico Semi-Presidential Government Executive & Legislative powers shared between a Head of State and a Head of Government (Ex. Both a President and a P.M. exist) Ex. France, Portugal, & Russia Parliamentary Government Executive & Legislative powers concentrated in one body (legislature) The ruling party within the legislature selects the executive (Prime Minister) Prime Minister is then the Head of Government, with executive power P.M. is subject to the will of the legislature - Vote of “no confidence” Head of State (President /Monarch) may exist, but is largely ceremonial. Ex. The United Kingdom, Spain, & Denmark
18 Who Can Participate? Everyone? – Republic/DemocracySupreme political authority rests with the people Direct or Pure Democracy Every citizen votes on all public polices Indirect or Representative Democracy Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf No one? - Autocracy Dictatorship/Monarchy Regimes Only a select few? - Oligarchy
19 Government vs. PoliticsAn institution which creates the public policies of a State. Process of making public policy decisions.
20 Concepts of a Republic Worth of the IndividualEvery citizen has a voice, and a right to be heard Equality* of All Persons Equality under the law (Equal Rights) Equality of opportunity NOT absolute equality!! Majority Rule, Minority Rights Political minorities protected from the “will of the majority” Necessity of Compromise No one person/group gets everything Individual Freedom Right to self-determination (personal decision-making)
21 The Purpose of the U.S. GovernmentForm a More Perfect Union Establish Justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Defense Promote the General Welfare ***Preamble of the U.S. Constitution QUESTION: What should the proper role of gov’t be? How involved should government be in our lives?
22 Duties & ResponsibilitiesBeing Part of the Social Contract Required as part of the contract: Duties (Refusal results in punishment) Obeying laws Paying taxes Jury duty Going to school The Selective Service Expected, but not required, behavior: Responsibilities (Refusal hurts society as a whole) Voting…… Serving in government/military Understanding how the government works Volunteering What do we get in exchange??
23 CONSIDER THIS….. Explain the meaning of the quote:“The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” ***Be sure to reference topics discussed in class!
24 The free enterprise system
25 Key concepts of free enterpriseFreedom extends to the economy (laissez-faire) Ideas of a Free Market Economy (Capitalism) Private ownership/investment Ability to profit from that ownership/investment Competition Individual initiative (Entrepreneurship) Economy is regulated by Supply & Demand The market ‘regulates’ itself (the invisible hand) Unintended societal benefits of individual actions (greed) Essential Questions: Determines Type of Government What to be produced? How much to be produced? How much to charge? (Price)
26 Government’s role in free-enterpriseRegulations FDA Anti-trust laws Monopolies EPA Zoning Grants & Subsidies
27 Consider this…… How would the view of a liberal and a conservative differ on the appropriate role of government in the economy? Taxes? Regulations? Banking Laws & the role of the FED Corporate Subsidies? Social Welfare & Entitlements? Social Security & Unemployment Medicare & Medicaid Food/Housing/Health & Childcare Assistance Student Loans
28 Classifying Governments (Review)Who can participate? Everyone (Citizens) – Republic/Democracy Direct vs. Indirect No one - Autocracy Dictatorship Only a select few (Elitism) - Oligarchy Aristocracy (Nobility) Distribution of governmental power Unitary Government Federal Government Confederate Government Relationship between the Executive & Legislative Presidential Government Parliamentary Government