Unit I Notes Basic Concepts of American Democracy

1. Unit I Notes Basic Concepts of American Democracy

2. What is government? That complex of offices, personnel, and processes by which a state is ruled. The earliest evidence of government dates back to Egypt more than 2,500 years ago.

3. Why is government necessary? People need rules and laws. People need order People need organization People need services People need protection

4. How does American government impact our daily lives? Imposing taxes Regulating trade Requiring school attendance Passing and enforcing labor laws Funding the military Regulating air and water quality

5. What is public policy? All the things that a government chooses to do. Examples: Guaranteeing free speech and press Imposing income taxes Funding the space station No pass-No play Setting minimum wage

6. Three branches of American Government Executive: President and Cabinet: Power to enforce law Legislative: Congress: Power to make law , tax, and spend Judicial Branch: Supreme Court and Federal Courts: Power to interpret laws and the Constitution

7. What is a constitution? A fundamental set of laws setting out the principles , powers, and structures of a government.

8. What is politics? The process by which a society decides how powers and resources will be distributed within that society. Who gets what!

9. What is a state? A body of people organized politically who are sovereign.

10. Four Characteristics of a state Population Territory Government Sovereignty

11. Population Human inhabitants

12. Territory Defined borders

13. Government Creator and enforcer of public policy and law.

14. Sovereignty Absolute and supreme power within the borders of a state. No outside forces make and enforce law and policy.

15. state v. State A state has all 4 characteristics. (USA) A State has no sovereignty. (Texas) If you know the location of sovereignty, you can determine a state’s form of government.

16. Four theories of the origin of the state (government): Divine Rights of Kings Theory Evolution Theory Force Theory Social Contract Theory

17. Divine Right Theory God grants certain people the right to rule. Power is derived from religion and birth. Examples:

18. Evolution Theory Government evolved gradually over time from family, to Clan, to Tribe, to government. Examples:

19. Force Theory Government begins by force or military might. Examples:

20. Social Contract Theory Government begins when people agree to form a state by giving up some of their freedom in exchange for protection. Examples:

21. Philosophers of the Social Contract Theory *John Locke * Jean Jacques Rousseau Henri, The Baron deMontesquieu Thomas Hobbes James Harrington

22. Basic Principles of the Social Contract Theory Man is born in a “State of Nature” Man lives under the “Law of Nature” Man chooses to form a government for protection Man must give up some rights in exchange for protection If government fails to protect the rights of the people, the people have the right to choose a new government.

23. The Social Contract Theory if the basis for Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. The SIX basic democratic ideas borrowed from John Locke : “All men are created equal..” “they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights..” “that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” “governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..” “that whenever any government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it…” “…and to institute new government…”

24. Classical Forms Government: 1. Absolute Monarchy A political system in which “one man” has hereditary rule . No other institutions of government exist. Examples:

25. 2. Dictatorship: A political system in which an individual or small group hold absolute political power. Examples:

26. 3. Feudalism A political system based upon the rule of local lords bound to a king by the ties of loyalty and land. A hierarchy of titles and land determined power. Example:

27. 4. Democracy A political system based upon the consent of the people in which rights are guaranteed by the government to all people. Examples:

28. 5. Aristocracy A political system in which power is distributed based upon noble birth and title. Example:

29. 6. Oligarchy: A political system in which only a few people have power, usually those who have been “chosen”. Example:

30. 7.Facism A political system in which the government has absolute power based upon a belief in nationalism and military might. Examples:

31. 8. Anarchy A political system in which there is no government, rule, or law. Examples:

32. 9. Tribal Government: A political system in which all economic resources are collectively owned and people owe allegiance t o a chief or leader.

33. Three Classifications of Government Geographic Distribution of Power Number of people who may participate Relationship between legislative and executive branches

34. 1. Unitary System of Government A political system in which all power belongs to the national government. Example:

35. Advantages to Unitary Government: Uniform system of law nation-wide. No power struggle between the national and local governments. Less expensive government.

36. Disadvantages to Unitary Government No local government. Only a few people have law-making power for the nation. No diversity of law.

37. Federal System of Government A political system in which power is constitutionally divided between the National government and State governments with the National government supreme. Example:

38. Advantages to Federal Systems of Government Allows for regional differences in law. Divided power allows for more people to have a voice in law making. National supremacy helps to create national identity.

39. Disadvantages of Federal Government Multiple, often wasteful levels of government make government more expensive. Confusion about the law Conflict between National, State, and local government over power.

40. Confederate System of Government A political system in which power is constitutionally divided between the national government and the States with the States having supremacy. Example:

41. Advantages of Confederate Government Allows for regional differences Local officials are primarily responsible for government decision-making. Limited national government ($)

42. Disadvantages of Confederate Government Little or no national power or identity. States in conflict over power. No one person is in charge of the nation.

43. Parliamentary Government A form of government in which the legislative branch (Parliament) is dominant and chooses the Executive. Example:

44. Characteristics of Parliamentary Government Three interdependent branches Legislature is dominant No fixed terms of office No separation of powers Prime Minister is chosen by Parliament from Parliament Only Parliament is directly elected by the people

45. Advantages of Parliamentary Government Government can act very quickly Very little conflict between the branches No expensive national election for Prime Minister

46. Disadvantages of Parliamentary Government Taxes and laws may pass too quickly Prime Minister may be fired by Parliament without cause Political instability can lead to economic instability

47. Presidential Government A form of government which has 3 independent branches. Example:

48. Characteristics of Presidential Government Three, separate, equal branches of government Fixed terms of office (Exec and Leg Branches) Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Legislature directly elected by the people Executive elected indirectly by the people and independent of the Legislature

49. Advantages of Presidential Government Each branch has set powers Checks and Balances prevents abuses of power Executive is independent of Legislative

50. Disadvantages of Presidential Government President and Congress are designed to be in conflict Law-making is difficult and lengthy No one has all the power or responsibility all the time