Journal Question #2

What does a democratic government demand from you? What does the government give you in return?

US Government

Chapter 1

What is a government?

• “A government is an institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies.” pg 4

What is Public Policy?

• Public policy consists of all the things a government does.

* taxes * defense * education * crime * healthcare * transportation

What does a government need to carry out public policy??

• POWER• Every government has 3 types of power

1. legislative- the power to make law

and to frame public policies

2. executive- the power to execute,

enforce and administer law

3. judicial- the power to interpret laws, their meaning and settle disputes in a society

What is a State?

• A state is a body of people living in a defined territory and organized politically with the power to make and enforce laws.

4 characterizes of a State

1. Population- must have people but no limited number.

* San Marino-27,000 people

* China 1.3 billion

2. Territory- must have land

* San Marino- 24

miles

* Russia- 6.6 million

miles

3. Sovereignty- the supreme and absolute power in its territory. Must decide on domestic and foreign policy

4. Government- every state has a government in order to avoid

“the war of every man against every man”

-Thomas Hobbes

Petoria Questions

1) Explain how Petoria qualifies as a state based on the 4 characteristic of a state

1) Land 2) population 3) How does Petoria show sovereignty over its territory? 4) What type of government does Petoria have?2) What public services provided by the American

government were cut off from Petoria once it suceded from the U.S.?

Forms of GovernmentChapter 1 Review

Origin of the State

1. The Force Theory- person or group gained control of an area by use of force

2. Evolutionary Theory- developed naturally out of the early family

3. The Divine Right Theory- God gave those in power a right to rule

4. Social Contract Theory- people agreed to give up certain rights to be protected by the state

Different forms of government

• Democracy- rule by people

• Dictatorship- those who rule are not held responsible to the people

1. Oligarchy- a few rule

2. Autocracy- a single person holds

power

* all dictators are totalitarian leaders meaning????

Types of Governments

• Unitary Government- all power held by the single central powers of government. Does not need local governments

• Examples: China, United Kingdom

• Confederate Government- an alliance of independent states.

• very rare the European Union is the closest form of one today

• Federal Government- power of the government is divided between the central and local governments

• . Examples: The United States, Australia, the Federal Republic of Germany.

What is the purpose of government??

• Establish justice

• Domestic peace

• Provide for common defense

• Promote general welfare

• Secure liberty

The 5 Democratic Concepts

1. Recognition of the worth and dignity of EVERY person.

2. Respect the equality of ALL people

3. Majority rule with minority rights

4. The acceptance to compromise

5. An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom