Principles of American Government Chapter 1

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Principles of American Government (Chapter 1)
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What is Government?

• Government- institution through which society
  makes and enforces its public policies.
• Public Policies- all things a government decides
  to do.
• 3 kinds of power legislative, executive,
  judicial

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The State

• State- Body of people, living in a defined
  territory, organized politically to make and
  enforce its own laws.
• Over 190 states in world today.
• Must possess 4 characteristics population,
  territory, sovereignty, government

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Origins of the State

• Several different theories on how organized
  government originated.
• Force Theory- the state was born out of force or
  military conquest.
• Evolutionary Theory- developed naturally out of
  family unit.
• Divine Right Theory- God created the state and
  gave certain people the divine right to rule.

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The Social Contract Theory

• Developed in France in late 17th, 18th centuries.
• Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, James Harrington, Jean
  Jacques Rousseau
• Became the theory on which American Govt is
  based.

John Locke
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Social Contract Theory (cont)

• Assumed that human beings in their earliest
  history lived in a state of nature, where no
  government existed.
• All people were free, but all authority belonged
  to those who could take things by force.
• Humans then agreed to sacrifice some personal
  freedoms to ensure safety and well-being of all.
• Basic premise- state arose out of voluntary act
  of free people.

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The Purposes of Government

• Form a More Perfect Union
• Establish Justice
• Insure Domestic Tranquility
• Provide for the Common Defense
• Promote the General Welfare
• Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Constitution
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Distribution of Power

• Unitary Govt- all power held by single, central
  agency who can create other branches (G.B.)
• Federal Govt- powers divided between central
  govt and several local govts (USA)
• Confederate Govt- alliance of independent states
  (European Union)

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Relationship Between Legislative and Executive
Branches

• Presidential Government- Leg. and Exec. branches
  are separate, independent of one another and
  co-equal (USA)
• Parliamentary Govt- Chief Executive (either
  Prime Minister or Premier) is also member of the
  legislature (Parliament). Exists in Great Britain.

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Questions for Discussion

• Why are the origins of American Government
  important in understanding how government
  presently functions?
• Compare and contrast unitary and federal systems
  of government. What are the benefits of each?
  What potential problems can you foresee?