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 individual—a king, queen, or dictator—rules. • King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lion- Hearted, led Britain from 1189–99. • Sadam Hussein, Hitler, Stalin, and Castro were/are all examples of dictators.

11. Oligarchy or Aristocracy • A government in which a small group—landowners, military officers, or wealthy merchants—controls 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. Interaction:CoreIdealsInstitutions • Individualism Politics • Liberty • Equality • Constitutionalism Government • Democracy Family Education Religion

19. The Initial Debate:The 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.