Magruder’s American Government

Those with divine right were generally of royal birth & then succeeded by their children. Which part of the cartoon illustrates this concept. • Those who believe in divine right also believe the people should obey the king as they would obey God. How does the position of the king illustrate this idea. • Is the author in favor/against this idea? How do you know? • Making Comparisons- What is the difference between a dictator & a king? Explain how the cartoonist illustrates your idea.

What Is Government?Do Not WRITE Govt is the institution through which a society makes & enforces its public policies. 2 3 Chapter 1 Section 1

The Purpose of Govt A.Govts are needed to maintain order by making & enforcing laws. B.provide essential services for people, such as promoting public health & safety. C.protect people from attack by other states & from internal threats such as terrorism. D.pass laws that shape & control the nation’s economy. (Do Not WriteDo you think our govt has too much or too little control over the economy? )

The State (Do Not Write) 4 characteristics of a state: 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 1

The Purpose of Government (Do Not Write) The main purposes of government are described in the Preamble of the Constitution of 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 to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” 2 3 Chapter 1, Section 1

Classifying Governments (Do Not Write) Governments can be classified by 3 different standards: (1) Who can participate in the governing process. (2) The geographic distribution of the governmental power within the state. (3) The relationship between the legislative (lawmaking) and the executive (law-executing) branches of the government. 1 3 Chapter 1, Section 2

Democracy • In a democracy, supreme political authority rests with the people. • ( A direct democracy exists where the will of the people is translated into law directly by the people themselves. • In an indirect democracy, a small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representatives, expresses the popular will.) • In a democracy the people are sovereign. They are the only source for any and all of the government’s power. In other words, the people rule. 1 3 Chapter 1, Section 2

Dictatorship (Do Not Write) • A dictatorship exists where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people. • An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. • An oligarchy is a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.

Do Not Write • Most present day dictatorships are not controlled by a single person or by a small group as may appear to be the case. Many religious leaders, industrialists, and others may compete for power. (Ex. Iran) • Dictatorships often present the outward appearance of control by the people. The people often vote in popular elections, but the vote is closely controlled, and ballots usually contain the candidates of one political party. (Ex. Venezuela and Iraq under Saddam) • A legislative body often exists but only to rubber-stamp the policies of the dictatorship.

Classification by Geographic Distribution of Power Unitary Govt • has all powers held by a single, central agency. Confederate Govt • an alliance of independent states. Federal Govt • powers are divided between a central govt & several local govts. • authority superior to both the central & local govts makes this division of power on a geographic basis. 1 3 Chapter 1, Section 2

Constitutions & Government A. A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for govt. • (Whether written or unwritten, a constitution organizes the structure of government and the way it operates. • Constitutions set out the goals and purposes of government as well as the ideals shared by the people.) • Constitutions provide the supreme law for states and their governments

Presidential Executive and legislative branches of the govt. are separate, independent of one another, and COEQUAL. Chief executive is chosen independently from the legislative body. (Ex. Democratic legislative & Republican president) Parliamentary Executive is made up of the prime minister of the governing party The prime minister is the leader of the majority party PM selects a cabinet w/ their approval Legislative branch selects executive MOST popular form of govt. in world (Ex. Tony Blair G.B./Harry Reid U.S.) Classification by the Relationship Between Legislative & Executive Branches (Do Not Write)

Classification by the Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branches 1 3 Chapter 1, Section 2

Forms of Government 1 3 Chapter 1, Section 2

Characteristics of Democracy A. Govt works to secure an equal opportunity for people to develop their own abilities. B. Govt is based on majority rule through the people’s elected rep, but respects the rights of minorities. C. Govt is based on free & open elections in which every citizen has the right to vote. D.Political parties choose candidates for office.

Foundations (Do Not Write) The American concept of democracy rests on these 5 basic notions: • A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person; at various times the welfare of the few is subjected to the welfare of the many and vice versa. (Ex. Draft, paying taxes) (2) A respect for the equality of all persons; does not mean everything is equal. People must have equal opportunity and equality before the law. (Ex. Sports) 1 2 Chapter 1, Section 3

Foundations (Do Not Write) (3) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights; unchecked a majority would destroy its opposition and destroy the democracy. (Ex. Illegal immigration) (4) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise; the essential component of a democracy. Two reasons ● democracy puts individual first & makes everyone equal ● there will always be more than 1 side to an issue (5) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom. Does not and cannot insist of complete freedom of individual; anarchy would ensue. “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened” JFK

Democracy & Free Enterprise • free enterprise system is an economic system characterized by private/corporate ownership (investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control.) (Ex. Wal Mart v/s Kmart) • Decisions determined by the law of supply & demand. (Ex. Oil) • When private enterprise exists in combination w/ govt regulation & promotion is called a mixed economy. (Ex. The U.S. economy) 1 2 Chapter 1, Section 3

Capitalism • Capitalismdeveloped from the economic & political changes in Europe. • The U.S. has a mixed market economy, incorporating both free enterprise & govt regulation. • (Do Not Write) ► top to bottom the govt. regulates through anti-trust laws, pure food and drug laws, anti-pollution standards, building codes, and city/county zoning ordinances. ► govt. also promotes a healthy economy; grants for education, transportation, scientific research, growing of food crops, public schools, postal system, national weather service, and a national currency • A major philosophical difference between republican / democrats concerns the amount of govt. involvement.

Socialism & Communism • Socialism- govt owns basic means of production, use of resources, distributes products, wages, & provides basic services. • Socialist governments have taken power in several countries; however, critics argue that this economic system fails to solve most economic problems. • Communism - govt makes all economic decisions; owns land, resources, industry, banks, & transportation system; & mass communication. • government ownership of all means of production and distribution; when all property was held in common, there would be no need for government.

Democracy and the Internet (Do Not Write) • Democracy demands that the people be widely informed about their government. • Theoretically, the Internet makes knowledgeable participation in democratic process easier than ever before. • However, all data on the World Wide Web is not necessarily true, and the long-term effects of the Internet on democracy has yet to be determined. 1 2 Chapter 1, Section 3

CM 1.3

Unitary System- National or central government holds all key powers • Federal System- Power is divided between the national government and state or provincial governments • Maintain social order • Provide public services • Provide national security • Make economic decisions • Capitalism- Emphasis on freedom of choice and individual incentive • Socialism- Government owns means of production, decides how to use resources, and distributes wealth equally among people • Communism- No social classes; all property is held in common; government is unnecessary • Individual liberty • Majority rule with minority rights • Free elections • Competing political parties

1) the people of the United States 2) the people of the United States from the time of the Constitution onwards 3) Possible answer: Those words are symbolic; they emphasize the role the citizens in government

PC 2.1

Colonists brought w/ them 3 main concepts: • need for ordered social system. • limited govt. • representative govt. 2 3 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 1

Important English Documents The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history: 2 3 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 1

Early Attempts In 1643, several New England settlements formed the New England Confederation. A confederation is a joining of several groups for a common purpose. The Albany Plan In 1754, Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union, in which an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the 13 colonies would be formed. Growing Colonial Unity The Stamp Act Congress • In 1765, a group of colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in New York. • These delegates prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British policies and sent it to the king. 1 3 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 2

American Independence • On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. • Between 1776 and 1777, most of the States adopted constitutions instead of charters. 1 3 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 2

Independence 1. The Declaration had 3 parts: a statement of purpose, including a description of basic human rights; a list of specific complaints against King George III; & a statement of colonists’ determination to separate from G. Britain. 2. By the end of 1776, 10 states had written constitutions, which were based on the consent of the governed, limited govt, & the protection of individual rights.

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation established “a firm league of friendship” among the States. Powers Congress had power to declare war, deal w/ national finance issues, & settle state disputes. Obligations States promised to obey Congress, respect the laws of other States. Most powers resided w/ states. 1 2 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 3

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation 1 2 4 5 Chapter 2, Section 3

Framers of the Constitution 1 2 3 5 Chapter 2, Section 4

I. The Convention Begins A. Delegates had great practical experience in politics, govt & included many signers / Dec. of Ind. / Art. of Conf. B. held meetings in secret, deciding each state would have 1 vote, decisions made by majority vote, quorum of 7 states was required for all meetings. C. Gave up revising the Art. Of Conf. & drafted a new plan of govt about which they shared many ideas.

The Virginia Plan 3 branches of govt Bicameral leg. “National Executive” & “National Judiciary” The New Jersey Plan Unicameral Cong. Equal repr./ States of different sizes More than 1 federal executive Different Constitutional Plans 1 2 3 5 Chapter 2, Section 4

Decisions & Compromises 1.Connecticut Compromise, which proposed a leg. branch with 2 parts: a House of Rep. w/ state repres based on pop., & a Sen. with 2 members from each state, regardless of size. large states advantage in the House & protected smaller states in Senate.

Constitutional Compromises • 3/5th Compromise • count a slave as 3/5 of a person in determining pop. of a State. • Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise • Congress could not tax exported goods, & could not act on slavery for 20 years. 1 2 3 5 Chapter 2, Section 4

Ratifying the Constitution 1. Anti-Federalists (opposed) believed the Constitution was done in secret & had no power to replace the Articles. Believed Constitution took important powers away from the states & Bill of Rights. 2. Federalists promised a Bill of Rights, & the small states learned more about the Connecticut Compromise, the battle over ratification was finally won.

CM 2-4

2) the president 1) the judicial branch 3) the legislative branch

Articles of the Constitution 2 3 Chapter 3, Section 1

Six Basic Principles • The principle of popular sovereignty asserts that the people are the source of any and all government power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed. • The principle of limitedgovernmentstates that government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away. • Separation of powers is the principle in which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government are three independent and coequal branches of government. 2 3 Chapter 3, Section 1

Six Basic Principles • Checks and balances is the system that allows the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to check, or restrain, the actions of one another. • The principle of judicial reviewconsists of the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action. • Federalism is a system of government in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. 2 3 Chapter 3, Section 1

Formal Amendment Process 4 different ways by which amendments may be added to the Constitution are shown here: 1 3 Chapter 3, Section 2

Magruder’s American Government