Government

The ruling authority for a community or society

Popular Sovereignty: Consent of the governed. The people have

the power in government.

The Purpose of Government is to do the following:

Keep Order To provide laws To help prevent conflicts To help settle conflicts

Provide Security To defend citizens against crime& foreign attack

Provide Public Services Libraries, schools, hospitals, parks Build & repair streets, bridges, etc. Help the needy

Guide the Community Create public policy ( Laws that benefit the

public) Budgeting –plan for collecting & spending money

What is the function of government?

Federal (National) : make laws (public policy) that benefit the whole country.

Washington, DC

State : make laws and public policy that benefit the citizens of that state.

Raleigh, NC Local city, county (municipality): public policies

(laws) that affect citizens of the city or county. Charlotte, NC

There are 3 Levels of Government

There are different types of democracies. Direct Democracy: everyone has one vote and all votes

are equal. Constitutional monarchy: King + law making body

usually a parliament + a constitution. Ex: Great Britain, Canada, Denmark, Spain, Jordan.

Representative Democracy: People elect representatives to direct the power of the government.

America has a representative democracy . A representative democracy is also known as a REPUBLIC.

Rome had a republic form of government and our founding fathers understood the benefits and strength that it brings to governance.

In the United States we have a democratic form of government.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag     of the United States of America,and to the Republic for which it stands:     one Nation under God, indivisible,With Liberty and Justice for all.

You say the word Republic because that is form of government we have in the United States.

The Pledge of Allegiance

3. Characteristics of Democratic Governments

CHARACTERISTICS OF DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENTS:

1. Competitive elections2. Multiple Political Parties3. Every person’s vote carries the same weight4. Majority rule people abide to what most citizens want, but respect the rights of the minority.5. Secret Ballots: right to privacy6. Right to express views7. Legal requirements to vote are kept at a minimum

AgeCitizenshipResidency

* Rule of Law All people, including those who govern are bound by the

law Limited Government

Government may only do those things that the people have given it the power to do

Consent of the Governed American citizens are the source of all governmental

power Individual Rights

Rights that people are born with, protected by the government

Representative Government People elect their leaders to make laws and govern on

their behalf

Principles of American Government

AUTHORTITARIAN GOVERNMENTS: CONTROL ALL ASPECTS OF PEOPLE’S LIVES. Unlimited authority & often limit freedoms of speech, assembly & the press.

Examples are: 1 Absolute Monarchies.

Unrestricted power Acquire power through inheritance

Other forms of Governments

Dictatorships Exercise complete control Take power by force (usually) Use military & police to remain in power Impose totalitarian rule

Government control over all aspects of people’s lives Suppress individual freedom Control the media Use propaganda & violence

Examples of governments today are Cuba, North Korea, China, Venezuela, Syria. Iraq and Libya once were ruled by dictators. Adolph Hitler was a dictator as was Stalin.

Example 2 of Authoritarian Governments.

The United States has a representative form of democracy.

We have a republic form of government. A republic form of government is when people elect representatives to go and enact laws on their behalf.

Popular sovereignty means that the power in government lies with the people because we can vote people out of office.

Points to remember