Introduction Government and Politics

1
IntroductionGovernment and Politics

• Politics - the basics
• Politics and Economics
• Political Ideas - Ideology
• Government

2
The Political Society

• No rules or laws are needed in the state of
  nature. (John Locke)
• Human nature competitive or cooperative
• As we formed societies, we demanded the
  imposition of rules to govern innate social
  conflict. All societies needs government.
• Human beings are equal and endowed by nature with
  certain rights. (John Locke)
• Absence of government causing society to revert
  to a nasty, solitary, and brutish existence.
  (Thomas Hobbes)
• The political systems created to impose rules
  have varied throughout history.

3
From Family to Tribe to State

• Nation - sociological term
• State - political term
• State of Nature (Locke)
• Divine Right Theory (George III)
• Social Contract Theory
• Natural Rights Theory (Locke)

4
Political Theory

• Social Contract Theory
• Locke
• Humans reasonable, tolerant and cooperative
• Government by people, separation of powers
• Hobbes
• Humans nasty, mean and competitive
• Government by sovereign authority to maintain
  order with no separation of power
• Rousseau
• Humans corrupted by society the noble savage
• Favored government as a general will of the
  people

5
Politics

• Politics is the process of resolving social
  conflict over the distribution of limited
  resources.
• It is the process of deciding who will make the
  rules about what, when, how and to whom societies
  resources will be given.
• Peaceful reconciliation of social and economic
  differences.
• Politics is ubiquitous.

6
Economics and Politics

• Money and material resources are limited.
• Human desires are limitless.
• Natural conflict occurs.
• Politicians and government institutions must step
  in to resolve conflict.
• Capitalism versus Communism

7
Politics and Ideology

• Ideology - a patterned set of ideas or beliefs
  about a specific topic
• Political Ideology - a set of ideas, values or
  beliefs about the proper political and economic
  system in which people should live.
• The role government should play in the political
  system.

8
Government

• The institutions and procedures through which a
  territory and people are ruled.
• The political and administrative organization of
  a nation, state or locality.
• Governments vary in size, structure, and
  operational rules bases on many factors.
• Provides for conflict resolution, defense,
  safety, and economic prosperity.

9
Forms of Government

• Autocracy (One)
• Oligarchy/Aristocracy (Few)
• Democracy (Many)
• Theocracy

10
Autocracy

• A government in which a single individuala king,
  queen, or dictatorrules.
• King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lion-
  Hearted, led Britain from 118999.
• Sadam Hussein, Hitler, Stalin, and Castro
  were/are all examples of dictators.

11
Oligarchy or Aristocracy

• A government in which a small grouplandowners,
  military officers, or wealthy merchantscontrols
  most of the governing decisions.
• Louis XVI (1754 1793) was symbolic of the
  French aristocracy.
• The Royal Family in Saudi Arabia was an example
  of an aristocratic oligarchy.

12
Democracy

• A government in which political power is vested
  in the people.
• Direct (classic) democracy provides for decision
  making by all of the people. (Ancient Athens).
• Representative democracy or a Republic provides
  for representatives chosen by the people.

13
Modern Democratic Concepts

• Elitist Democracy political power is
  concentrated in the hands of a small group of
  powerful (wealth) individuals.
• Pluralistic Democracy power is dispersed among
  different power centers.
• Labor organizations
• Professional associations
• Industry
• Environmentalists

14
Representative Democracy

• Today, most nation-states operate under the
  concept of representative democracy.
• Total Nation-States 193
• Free - 90 Partially Free - 58
• Not Free - 45
• Individuals are elected by the citizens to
  represent them in the affairs of civil society.
• Presidential versus Parliamentary organization is
  main difference.

15
How Do Governments Govern?

• Constitutional
• Authoritarian
• Totalitarian

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Purpose of Government in the United States

• We the People of the United States, in order to
  form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,
  insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the
  common defence, promote the general welfare and
  secure the Blessings of Liberty.
• Collective Goods for the benefit of all.
• Minimalist State restrict government action to
  only those things individuals can not do.

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Principles of American Democracy Political
Culture

• American Creed
• Individual Freedom (Liberty)
• Equality - political, economic, social
• Not complete equality regulated by government
• Constitutional Democracy
• Majority rule protecting minority rights
• Voluntary consent of governed
• powered by a written charter

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InteractionCore Ideals Institutions

• Individualism Politics
• Liberty
• Equality
• Constitutionalism Government
• Democracy
• Family
• Education
• Religion

19
The Initial DebateThe Proper Role of Government

• The Founders were divided over the proper size
  and role of government.
• The Federalists wanted a strong central
  government to promote commerce, prevent political
  strife, and protect international interests.
• The Antifederalists feared that a strong
  central government would endanger liberty,
  thereby favoring weaker and decentralized
  government.

20
The Current Debate

• The conflict continues today between
  conservatives (Republicans) and liberals
  (Democrats).
• Conservatives (Republicans) seek a strong
  government to protect economic interests, public
  morality, and international interests, and
  generally prefer state government action.
• Liberals (Democrats) seek a strong national
  government to protect civil liberties, the
  environment, and to provide economic security.