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How do we define the underlying principles of American government?

How do we define the underlying principles of American government?. LESSON 1 Principles of Government. Why study government? What’s the big deal, anyway?. CIVICS What is it? The study or science of the rights and responsibilities of the individual

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How do we define the underlying principles of American government?

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  1. How do we define the underlying principles of American government? LESSON 1 Principles of Government

  2. Why study government? What’s the big deal, anyway? CIVICS • What is it? The study or science of the rights and responsibilities of the individual • Why do we bother with it?It provides an understanding of why we need government and why government needs us

  3. THE PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT PROTECTION:Sovereignty important  the right to be free from outside interference MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER Laws Police forces Court systems NATION-STATE: The basic political unit  a country Characteristics TERRITORY POPULATION SOVEREIGNTY GOVERNMENT Why does a society need a government when we can provide our own order?

  4. NATION-STATE:The basic political unit  a country Characteristics TERRITORY POPULATION SOVEREIGNTY GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION OF SOCIAL CONFLICTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR STABLE ECONOMY: Government’s role has changed throughout history PROVISION OF PUBLIC SERVICES How extensive should these programs be? Key debate: money spent on programs Why does a society need a government when we can provide our own order?

  5. What different theories may explain the American style of government? • ORIGINS OF GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURE • Force Theory • The state is born of force person or group causes all within area to submit to their rule • Evolutionary Theory • State developed naturally out of early family structure • Families joined networks of related families

  6. What different theories may explain the American style of government? • Divine Right Theory • God created state and gave royalty the right to rule • Opposition seen as mortal sin and treason • But, opposition is foundation of democracy today • Social Contract Theory(Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau) • Most significant theory in American political history • Humans left in “state of nature” lived in constant disorder • People agree to give state power in exchange for protection against others • State arose out of voluntary act of free people • Promoted key developmental concepts in America • POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY • LIMITED GOVERNMENT • INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

  7. Who has power in our society? • POWER & FORMS OF GOVERNMENT • Elites • Marxist Theory: Those who control economy have real power • The “power elite”: Policies made by leaders in three important groups • Corporate leaders • Top military officers • Key political leaders ELITES: Those whose political or economic power give them unusual influence within government

  8. Who has power in our society? • The bureaucrats: People “behind the scenes” whose expertise and specialized talents are responsible for managing societies • The pluralists: Those who believe that power is shared among many different types of elites

  9. How does a central government receive its power? • Forms of government • UNITARY SYSTEM: All powers held by government exist in single, central agency  centralized government (most common) • FEDERAL SYSTEM: Powers of government divided between central government and several local governments • CONFEDERATION: An alliance of independent states that give limitedpowers to a central government (ex: states under Articles, European Union)

  10. Who has power within a government? • Legislative and Executive Branches • PARLIAMENTARY GOVERNMENT: Government that combines presidency and legislature • PRIME MINISTER: Leader of majority party in legislature • CABINET: Premier’s advisors that are also members of legislature • PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT: Government where presidency and legislature are separated and work independently within system of checks and balances

  11. How many should participate in governing? • Number of people who participate • AUTOCRACY Rule by one • Absolute monarchy: King/queen with no restraint on their power • Dictatorship: One who assumes total control by force and removes all opposition • OLIGARCHY  Rule by a few • Aristocracy: Rule determined by social position or wealth • Theocracy: Religious group rules • Political party: Party leaders effectively control government (ex: USSR, China)

  12. How many should participate in governing? • DEMOCRACY Rule by many • Direct democracy: Where most citizens participate directly by voting on major issues • Democratic centralism: A ruling party or group who claims to make decisions based on what people want or need • Representative democracy: Most common democratic form in modern times where representatives of citizens make decisions based on popular will

  13. How can Americans participate in governments? • FIVE WAYS PEOPLE CAN PARTICIPATE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT • Vote • Act as representatives • Lobbying • Contribute to/volunteer for a political campaign • Contact your representatives

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