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The Basics of Government

The Basics of Government. Government - Libertyville HS. Four Characteristics of a State. Population Territory Sovereignty Government. What is a Government?. Definition: “institution through which a society makes and enforces public policies”

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The Basics of Government

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  1. The Basics of Government Government - Libertyville HS

  2. Four Characteristics of a State • Population • Territory • Sovereignty • Government

  3. What is a Government? • Definition: “institution through which a society makes and enforces public policies” • Public policy = all things a government decides to do

  4. Composition of Government • ALL governments have these parts • Legislature • Makes the laws • Executive • Enforces the laws • Judiciary • Interprets the laws

  5. Purposes of Government • Brainstorm with a partner a list of the purposes off government • Some of Mr. Duffy’s purposes of gov’t • Maintain a national defense • Interact with other national governments • Preserve order • Set rules of society • Punish rule breakers • Provide means of dispute resolution (judiciary) • Provide appropriate public services • Collect taxes • Socialize youth

  6. Forms of Government • One or few hold power = dictatorship • Types of dictatorships • Absolute Monarchy • Oligarchy

  7. Forms of Government • Many participants = democracy • Types of democracy • Direct Democracy (“Pure”) • Indirect Democracy (“Representative”) Flow of Power

  8. Forms of Government • Idea of “levels of government” (between central / national gov’t and state / local gov’t) • Unitary system • Confederate system • Federal system Key question: What is The “direction of power”; in other words, who tells the other political units what to do???

  9. Presidential vs. Parliamentary Governments

  10. What is American Democracy? • Review - what is a democracy? • Government by the people • People vote on issues, either directly / indirectly • Usually, majority rules • What is American democracy? • Majority rule & protection of minority rights • Equality of opportunity (vs. equality of outcome) • Freedom of speech (= obligation to listen?) and other individual rights • Limited or unlimited individual rights? • Capitalist economic system (vs. Socialism)

  11. American Democracy: Capitalism • Free enterprise • Based on Law of Supply and Demand • Individuals, not government, makes day to day economic decisions • Profit motive drives system • Mixed (blended) economy • Government regulation of most important sectors of economy • Goal = protect individuals from market forces • How? Government laws, regulations, and litigation

  12. Mixed Economy HOW MUCH REGULATION OF THE ECONOMY IS APPROPRIATE IS ONE OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES!!!

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