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Government?

Government?. So, do we really need to have a government?. How would life be different if we did not have a government?. Anarchy : the absence of any government authority; absolute freedom Everything would be free for the taking Not so great for property owners

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Government?

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  1. Government?

  2. So, do we really need to have a government?

  3. How would life be different if we did not have a government?

  4. Anarchy: the absence of any government authority; absolute freedom • Everything would be free for the taking • Not so great for property owners • Even if entered with good intentions, vital institutions would not function

  5. “…For were the impulses of conscience clear, uniform and irresistibly observed, man would need no other lawgiver; but that not being the case, he finds it necessary to surrender up a part of his property to furnish means for the protection of the rest…” - Thomas Paine, from Common Sense (1776) It’s just good common sense!

  6. When people think they don’t need a government, they’re not thinking about all the details. • People need government for some things, although this doesn’t mean everything the government does is needed • Anti-government feelings have their roots in those instances when the government oversteps its purpose

  7. The government at work…

  8. The government at work…

  9. What SHOULD a government be able to do? Decide, with your partner, on (3) categories that cover the essentials

  10. The proper role of government • Good Governments: • Protect citizens – be able to defend its citizens from enemies beyond its borders • Keep order – make it so institutions can function safely and bring justice to law breakers • Provide public goods and services – offer facilities and services that serve the needs and wants of its citizens

  11. Keeping Order • The Government has a responsibility to keep its citizens and their property safe and secure. • Who and what do citizens need protection from?

  12. How is the government keeping order here?

  13. Keeping Order?

  14. List, with your partner, (10) public goods and services we have in Virginia Beach through the efforts of the government

  15. Providing Services • The government provides many services • It provides for basic needs for those who need it • It provides services that its people want as well

  16. What government service is being provided here?

  17. See any government services?

  18. A city of 500,000 people with no fresh water?

  19. Making Laws • The government makes a wide variety of laws • Most are designed to help society run more efficiently or safely

  20. Which laws are being obeyed?

  21. Many laws are designed to protect our property as well as ourselves

  22. How are laws protecting you?

  23. How else do laws protect you?

  24. How has the government affected you so far today? • Name a way it has kept order for you today (list at least 2) • Name some government services you’ve received today (list at least 5) • Name some laws you’ve obeyed (or broken) so far today (list at least 3)

  25. Laissez Faire: • System where the government’s power is very limited and individual freedom has few limits • Government’s role is to protect private property, maintain order and provide national defense only • Individuals and Businesses are free from government regulation in most matters

  26. Security vs. Freedom Name (2) positive effects there would be if you lived in a Socialist country. AND Name (2) negative consequences there would be if you lived in a Socialist country. • Government can, and in some countries does, provide for all the basic needs of its citizens Socialism: • government provides “cradle to the grave” services for citizens • Education (including college), healthcare, housing, food, and public transportation are paid for (at various levels) by the government for the benefit of citizens • Commonly used by most European nations

  27. Group verses Individual Totalitarianism: • system where the government has absolute control over all aspects of the lives of the citizens • The “dictator” or “King” must be obeyed, or else face violent punishment • Citizens treated like children, while the government fills the role of the parent • Individual freedom seen as counter-productive to the greater good • Can be Absolute Monarchies, Communism or Fascist-based systems

  28. If you had to live in a country with either a Socialist, Totalitarian, or Laissez-Faire government, which would you choose? • Describe what would be best about living under that system • Describe what you think the most important problems would be under that system

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