Unit I Notes Basic Concepts of American Democracy

Unit I NotesBasic Concepts of American

Democracy

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.

Why is government necessary?

People need rules and laws.People need orderPeople need organizationPeople need servicesPeople need protection

How does American government impact our daily lives?

Imposing taxesRegulating tradeRequiring school attendancePassing and enforcing labor lawsFunding the militaryRegulating air and water quality

What is public policy?

All the things that a government chooses to do.

Examples:1. Guaranteeing free speech and press 2. Imposing income taxes3. Funding the space station4. No pass-No play5. Setting minimum wage

Three branches of American Government

Executive: President and Cabinet: Power to enforce lawLegislative: Congress: Power to make law , tax, and spendJudicial Branch: Supreme Court and Federal Courts: Power to interpret laws and the Constitution

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

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

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

Four Characteristics of a state

Population TerritoryGovernment Sovereignty

Population

Human inhabitants

Territory

Defined borders

GovernmentCreator and enforcer of public policy and law.

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

state v. StateA 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.

Four theories of the origin of the state (government):Divine Rights of Kings TheoryEvolution TheoryForce TheorySocial Contract Theory

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

Evolution TheoryGovernment evolved gradually over time from family, to Clan, to Tribe, to government.

Examples:

Force TheoryGovernment begins by force or military might.

Examples:

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

Philosophers of the Social Contract Theory

*John Locke *Jean Jacques RousseauHenri, The Baron deMontesquieuThomas HobbesJames Harrington

Basic Principles of the Social Contract Theory

1. Man is born in a “State of Nature” 2. Man lives under the “Law of Nature”3. Man chooses to form a government for

protection 4. Man must give up some rights in exchange for

protection5. If government fails to protect the rights of the

people, the people have the right to choose a new government.

The Social Contract Theory if the basis for Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.

The SIX basic democratic ideas borrowed from John Locke :1. “All men are created equal..”2. “they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights..”3. “that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”4. “governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from

the consent of the governed..”5. “that whenever any government becomes destructive of these ends, it is

the right of the people to alter or abolish it…”6. “…and to institute new government…”

Classical Forms Government: 1. Absolute Monarchy

A political system in which “one man” has hereditary rule . No other institutions of government exist. Examples:

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

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:

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

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

6. Oligarchy:

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

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

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

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

Three Classifications of Government

1. Geographic Distribution of Power2. Number of people who may participate3. Relationship between legislative and executive

branches

1. Unitary System of Government

A political system in which all power belongs to the national government. Example:

Advantages to Unitary Government:

1. Uniform system of law nation-wide.2. No power struggle between the

national and local governments.3. Less expensive government.

Disadvantages to Unitary Government

1. No local government.2. Only a few people have law-

making power for the nation.3. No diversity of law.

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:

Advantages to Federal Systems of Government

1. Allows for regional differences in law.2. Divided power allows for more people

to have a voice in law making.3. National supremacy helps to create

national identity.

Disadvantages of Federal Government

1. Multiple, often wasteful levels of government make government more expensive.

2. Confusion about the law3. Conflict between National, State, and

local government over power.

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:

Advantages of Confederate Government

1. Allows for regional differences2. Local officials are primarily responsible

for government decision-making.3. Limited national government ($)

Disadvantages of Confederate Government

1. Little or no national power or identity.2. States in conflict over power.3. No one person is in charge of the

nation.

Parliamentary Government

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

Characteristics of Parliamentary Government

1. Three interdependent branches2. Legislature is dominant3. No fixed terms of office4. No separation of powers5. Prime Minister is chosen by Parliament

from Parliament6. Only Parliament is directly elected by

the people

Advantages of Parliamentary Government

1. Government can act very quickly2. Very little conflict between the

branches 3. No expensive national election

for Prime Minister

Disadvantages of Parliamentary Government

1. Taxes and laws may pass too quickly

2. Prime Minister may be fired by Parliament without cause

3. Political instability can lead to economic instability

Presidential Government

A form of government which has 3 independent branches.

Example:

Characteristics of Presidential Government

1. Three, separate, equal branches of government

2. Fixed terms of office (Exec and Leg Branches)3. Separation of Powers4. Checks and Balances5. Legislature directly elected by the people6. Executive elected indirectly by the people

and independent of the Legislature

Advantages of Presidential Government

1. Each branch has set powers2. Checks and Balances prevents abuses of power3. Executive is independent of Legislative

Disadvantages of Presidential Government

1. President and Congress are designed to be in conflict2. Law-making is difficult and lengthy3. No one has all the power or responsibility all the

time

Democratic Government

A form of government in which the people are sovereign.Examples:

Characteristics of Democracy

1. Government is chosen by the people in competitive elections

2. Personal liberties are guaranteed by the government

3. Equality before the law

Advantages of Democratic Government

1. High level of freedom for all people

2. People have a choice in government

3. No one is above the law

Disadvantages of Democratic Government

1. Everyone has the same rights, even “bad” people

2. Conflict over rights3. Change takes a long time

Two kinds of Democracy :

1. Direct or Pure Democracy: everyone votes on all laws themselves

2. Republic or Indirect Democracy: people elect representative to make the laws

Dictatorship

A form of government in which power is held by one person or a small group of people and the people have few rights.

Examples:

Advantages to Dictatorship

1. Change can take place very quickly

2. Little conflict over rights3. All decisions are made for the

people by the government.

Disadvantages of Dictatorship

1. People have few or no rights2. Governments regulates personal lives3. Government officials have more rights

Types of Dictatorship

1. Totalitarian: government has absolute and unchallenged power

2. Authoritarian: government has total control over all aspects of the peoples’ lives

How can I tell if my country is REALLY a Democracy?

1. Is there a written constitution?2. Do all adults have the right to vote?3. Are there regularly scheduled elections?4. Are there secret ballots?5. Are there REAL choices on the ballot?6. Do people have the right to protest and criticize?7. Do the people have religious freedom?8. Does the government have to answer to the people?

Five Principles of American Democracy

1. Fundamental Worth of the Individual2. Equality of All Persons3. Majority Rule Restrained by Minority Rights4. Compromise5. Individual Liberty

Economic Systems

An economic system is an organized way of providing goods and services to society.

It is NOT the same thing as a form of government!

Capitalism

An economic system based on the private ownership of property, the profit motive, and economic freedom.

Created by Adam Smith is his book The Wealth of Nations, 1776

Examples:

Characteristics of Capitalism

1. Private ownership of property2. Limited government intervention in the economy3. Government support of entrepreneurship4. Consumer protection is limited 5. Freedom of economic choice6. Government subsidies of business7. Government uses taxes to provide some services8. Government provides limited social services to

some people

Advantages of Capitalism

1. People have economic choices2. Freedom of mobility3. The market sets prices and supply4. Government supports innovation5. Profits and incomes are unlimited !

Disadvantages of Capitalism

1. Only productive people are rewarded2. Limited social services are provided only

to the neediest members of society3. Government uses personal income to

support business

Examples:

Socialism

An economic system in which private ownership of property is combined with public ownership(gov’t).

First created by Aristotle about 400 BCESometimes called democratic socialism

Characteristics of Socialism

1. Nationalization of major industries2. Workers have direct role in economic

decisions of nation (vote)3. Government central planning regulates

the economy4. High taxes to re-distribute wealth 5. Extensive social services for all citizens

Advantages of Socialism

1. Government provides all with necessities of life

2. Everyone has benefits3. Government can control the economy

Disadvantages of Socialism

1. No incentive to work harder2. Limited economic choice3. Entrepreneurship not rewarded4. Taxes are VERY high (80%+)

Communism

An economic system characterized by collective ownership of all resources and the absence of private property and social classes.

Created by Karl Mark and Fredrich Engles in their book Das Capital, 1865

Examples:

Characteristics of Communism

1. Nationalization of all businesses2. Government controls the economy3. Economic freedom is non-existent4. Limited social services are provided to all5. Profits are illegal6. Repressive political system is required to achieve

economic equality

Advantages of Communism

1. Everyone is economically equal2. Everyone’s needs are provided by the

government3. Everyone has a job4. Government can change economic

priorities quickly

Disadvantages of Communism

1. No incentive to work hard2. Very limited economic choices3. Only needs are provided 4. No economic mobility

Capitalism Socialism Communism

Developed by Adam Smith Aristotle Marx & EnglesHome Ownership Private Private Collective Business Ownership Private Combined GovernmentIncentive to work Profits Benefits Avoid Prison

Mobility Free Limited None

Social Programs Limited Extensive Some

Health Care Best/ Expensive Good/Free Poor/Free

Unions Limited Extensive IllegalConsumer Protection Some Extensive None

Prices Supply/Demand Gov’t Gov’t

Type Gov’t Democracy Democracy Dictatorship

Promotion Skills/Talents Union Member Party MemberEconomic Decision-making

Individual Gov’t Gov’t

Profits Unlimited Limited Illegal

Pay/Benefits Good Excellent Poor

How chosen? Election Election Revolution

The End!