HOW DID GOVERNMENTS BEGIN?

Origin of Government

Bell Ringer

Describe how you think the United States would be if there was no government?

Everyone is free to make rational (good) or irrational (bad) decisions.

Ambition and mistrust dominate.

No one enforces rules or protects the people.

State of Nature

Rules are enforcedMinimizes irrational

choices

People are protectedIncreases survival

Add Government

Thomas Hobbes

"During the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man. . . .In such condition . . . the life of man [is] solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short. "

- Thomas Hobbes, Philosopher

How did Governments come to exist? What was the first

government?

Theories of the Origin of Government

Evoluationary TheoryForce TheoryDivine Right TheorySocial Contract Theory

I. Origin (Creation) of Government

1. Evolution Theory Started with families The heads of these

families became the government.

Families grew=gov grew provide order and

protection.

Origin of Government

2. Force Theory An individual or

group claim control over a territory and forced the population to follow their laws.

Historical Examples

Mongol Empire Genghis Khan

conquered other nomadic tribes until he controlled all of Asia

Theories of Government

3. Divine Right Theory God created the

state, making it sovereign.

The government is appointed by god

The population must obey their ruler.

Historical Examples

Persuasion/Rewards Mandate of Heaven (China, 1100’s BCE)

the Chinese ruler was the “son of heaven” and had authority so long as he ruled in morally.

Divine Right of Kings (Europe, 1500’s) monarchs represented God on Earth and did not have to answer the people because they answered to God.

Origins of Government

4. Social Contract Theory (Hobbes)

People agree to give up some of their rights

The government agrees to provide order and security

Historical Examples

The United States of AmericaThe Constitution limits some of our rights and

grants authority to the elected leadersThe leaders protect our remaining rights

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT

ROLES OF GOVERNMENT?

Roles of Government

Brainstorming

Try and think of 3-4 broad categories that government should be responsible for. From there, think of more detailed responsibilities that fit within each category.

Government

Category 4

Category 3

Category 2

Category 1

What Should Governments Do?

A. Maintain order

B. Provide national security

C. Provide public services

D. Make economic decisions

E. Secure our rights

John Locke

Social ContractPeople have natural

rights Life, liberty, property

People have the right to rebel if gov does not protect natural rights

Gov should have branches to balance power

Notebook Item 5

Survival for all OrderLimits Individual

FreedomUnlimited FreedomNo rightsRights protected by

government

Survival of the FittestRight to rebel against

the governmentChaoticLawsCommon Goals

State of Nature vs. Social Contract