Government BasicsMini-Unit

What is government?

Government – the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policiesPublic policies – in general, what

the government decides to do• For example – taxes, education,

defense

Types of Government Power Legislative power

Power to make law and frame public policy

Executive power Power to execute, enforce, and

administer the law

Judicial power Power to interpret laws, determine

their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within society

Purpose of Government

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.”-Preamble of the Constitution-

6 Purposes of Government Form a more perfect union

Link the nation and the American people more closely together

Establish justice The law, in both is content and its

administration, must be reasonable, fair, and impartial

Insure domestic tranquility Keep peace on the home front

6 Purposes of Government

Provide for the common defense Defending the nation against foreign

enemies

Promote the general welfare Act as the servant of the people

Secure the blessings of liberty Dedication to freedom – but must

recognize that liberty is not absolute

Who can participate in government?

Democracy – authority rests with the people, government acts with their consent Direct democracy – will of the people

translated into public policy directly by the people in mass meetings

Representative democracy – a small group of people chosen by the people to act as their representatives express the popular will

• “Government with the consent of the governed”

Purpose of Government

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic

tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.”-Preamble of the Constitution-

The Constitution

The Supreme Law of the Land“This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which

shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties are made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of

the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to

the Contrary notwithstanding.”

-Article VI, Section 2-

Schoolhouse Rock: “Preamble”

The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

1. Popular Sovereignty• Government can only rule with

the consent of the governed• Where does this principle come

from?• Declaration of Independence

“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governedconsent of the governed.”

2. Limited Government• Government is effective, but restricted

• No government is all-powerful• Again, the power lies in the people – it can

only do what they given it the power to do• Constitutionalism

• Government must obey the law as outlined by the Constitution

• Rule of Law• Government and its officers are always

subject to the law

The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

3. Separation of Powers• Government power is distributed

among the 3 branches of government

• Clearly set forth in first 3 articles of the Constitution• Article I – Legislative Branch• Article II – Executive Branch• Article II – Judicial Branch

The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

4. Checks and Balances• Each branch is subject to restraints from the

other branches

5. Judicial Review• Power to determine if the actions of the

government are within the Constitution• Established by the landmark Supreme Court case,

Marbury v. Madison

6. Federalism• Division of power between a strong central

government and regional (state) governments

The 6 Basic Principles of the Constitution

Checks &

Balances

Federalism – system of government in which the written constitution divides the powers of government between national and state governments Neither level can change division of powers

the constitution debated Each branch operates through own

agencies, officials, and laws Certain powers for states, others for

national government

Federalism

Framers of the ConstitutionHow to create a new central

government that would be strong enough to meet nation’s needs AND protect the strength of the States

Dedicated to limited government• Government power poses threat to

individual liberties• Exercise of government power must be

restrained• Dividing government power prevents

abuse

Why federalism?

3 Branches of Government Schoolhouse Rock: “

Three Ring Government”