Understanding Government: Levels and Functions in the United States

1. Chapter 1 Lesson 4 • The Importance/Purpose of Government • Government: • Help people live together peacefully and productively • Is the ruling authority for a community • Government is any organization that has the power to make and carry out laws

2. Functions of Government

3. Levels of Government • The United States has a federal system of government • Federal government systems have power divided between the federal (national) and state governments • There is also local governments that serve towns, cities, and countries • The national government has the highest level of authority over its citizens

4. The National Government • Highest level of government • State and local gov cannot make laws that go against national gov • Set basic rules for citizenship

5. Each of the 50 states has its own stategovernment • Local governments can be found in counties, cities, and towns • Local and state governments cannot take actions that go against the law or authority of the national government

6. State Government • Each state has its own • Decide on matters for people of their state (marriage laws, school laws, etc)-laws cannot go against national gov • Set up local gov

7. Local Government • Closest to citizens • Provide public services such as schools, police, emergency services • Cannot go against national gov

8. Federal: • Highest level of authority • Makes and enforces laws for entire country • Sets basic rules for citizenship • State: • All 50 states have their own government • Make and enforces laws for their state • Manage public health and safety for their state • Build roads and bridges • Establish local governments • May not make laws that go against federal government • Local: • Level of government closest to citizens • Provide schools, police, fire, department, courts

9. The State government • Like the nation and every other state, Alabama is governed by a state constitution • Why is Alabama governed like this? • In order to protect Alabamian's rights

10. State Government • Alabama State government is made up of three branches • The Legislative Branch • The Executive Branch • The Judicial Branch

11. State Legislative branch • Makes the laws for the state • It is bicameral (has two houses-Senate and House) • Senate: has 35 members • House: has 105 members • Who elects the representatives? The citizens of Alabama

12. My Elected officials • The person who represents you in the USA House of Representatives (federal level) Martha Roby • The people who represents you in the United States Senate are Doug Jones and Richard Shelby • The person who represents you in the Alabama State Senate is Clyde Chambliss • The person who represents you in the Alabama State House of Representatives is Will Dismukes

13. The executive branch • The Executive Branch: enforces state laws • Who is the head of the executive branch? The governor • How often do citizens elect the governor? Every four years • Who is your states governor? Kay Ivey

14. Judicial branch • The judicial branch decides questions of state laws-they interpret state laws • How many justices are on the Alabama Supreme Court? Nine and they serve for a 6 year term • Who elects judges? Citizens of Alabama

15. The Court systems in Alabama • Court of Criminal and Civil Appeals • Circuit courts • District courts • Municipal courts • Probate and juvenile courts

16. Funding the State Government • Where does the state government get money from? • Sale and income taxes • Interest • The federal government

17. Funding the State Government • What does the state government spend its money on? • To provide services to Alabama citizens and to pay people in the government

18. Local government • Alabama is organized into 67counties • Below the county level, there are municipal governments

19. Laws and ordinance • Local governments are subject to state and federal laws • Local laws are called ordinances • Ordinances deal with traffic, curfews, taxes

20. Public Services and Funding: What services do local governments provide their citizens? • Public schools, libraries, fire and police protection, water and sewage systems

21. Legislative Branch • Law making • Has a senate (35 members-one member for each district) • Has House of Representatives (105 members-one member for each district) • Citizens elect members of the senate and house • Senate and House must work together an approve a bill before it becomes law • Executive Branch • Enforces the laws • Governor is in charge • Citizens elect governor • Current governor is Kay Ivey • Judicial Branch • Decides questions on the laws • Interprets the laws

22. Federalism is the division of government between the federal government and state governments • National/Federal Government • Legislative Branch-makes laws for the entire nation (USA senators and House members-elected by citizens) • Executive Branch-enforces laws for the entire nation (president-elected by citizens) • Judicial Branch- interprets the Constitution • Alabama State Government • Legislative Branch-makes laws for the state of Alabama (state senators and house members-elected by citizens of Alabama) • Executive Branch-enforces Alabama laws (governor-elected by citizens of AL) • Judicial Branch-interprets AL laws • CANNOT MAKE LAWS THAT GO AGAINST THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

23. Democratic Government • Democracy began in the ancient Greek city of Athens • Athens had a direct democracy • All citizens met to discuss government matters and voted • Today many countries that want a democratic government have a representative democracy to represent them, make laws, and govern on their behalf • The United States has a representative democracy government system

24. What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy? • In a direct democracy every citizen gets together and votes on government matters • In a representative democracy citizens choose a smaller group to govern on their behalf

25. Representative Democracies • How many types of representative democracies are there • Two-Constitutional monarchy and republics • Constitutional Monarchy: • Monarchy in which the power of ruler is limited by a countries constitution and laws • Most European countries that have a monarch are constitutional monarchies • Republics: • Citizens choose the person who will be the head of the government or the head of state

26. Democracy works on the principle of majority rule • Majority rule: more than half of the members of a community has the power to make laws that everyone must follow • Under this principle, citizens abide by what more than half the people want • Ruling majorities are determined through free and fair elections where candidates get the voters’ approval

27. Principles of American Democracy: • Rule of Law: all people, including those in charge must follow the law • Limited Government: government is not all powerful. It can only do the things the people give it power to do • Consent of the governed: citizens tell the government what it can do • Individual rights: citizens rights are protected by the government • Representative government: citizens elect leaders to make the laws and govern • Free, fair and competitive elections: every citizen has an equal vote. Citizens choose candidates and can vote without government interference • Majority Rule: a majority of members in a community have the power to make the laws for everyone

28. Authoritarian Government • What is the main difference between democratic regimes and authoritarian regimes? • Democratic: people rule • Authoritarian: power is held by a person or a group of people

29. Authoritarianism Systems • Absolute monarchy, dictatorship, totalitarianism

30. Selection of leaders • Rulers inherit their power or take it by force

31. Power of Government • Rulers have unlimited power • Government may have official ideology that controls economic, political, and civic life

32. Political parties • Until the 1600s most monarchs could have absolute power-they are known as absolute monarchs in a form of government called an autocracy • Today there are few absolute monarchs • Another form of authoritarian government is a dictatorship. Dictators exercise complete control • Dictators often come to power by use of force and typically use police and military to maintain power

33. Totalitarian Rule • Gov controls all aspect of life • Leaders do not let anyone try to compete with them • Take away individual freedoms • Control media and rely on scare tactics and violence

34. Some totalitarian states practice a system of socialism • In a socialist state, society controls all aspects of the economy either directly or indirectly through the government • The government decides what items the industries will produce and what jobs workers will have • Under socialism it is hoped that a nations wealth will be divided evenly

35. Three famous totalitarian regimes in history: • Nazi • Fascist Italy • Soviet Union

36. Totalitarian states today: • Cuba, North Korea, Mayanmar

37. Review: • Democratic systems • Examples: • Representative Democracy • Direct Democracy • Constitutional Monarchy • How leaders are selected: • Citizens vote in elections • Government Powers: • Limited by constitutions • Power comes from the people (people voting in elections) • How they keep peace: • There are rules and laws put into place • Political Parties: • Multiple parties can compete for power

38. Authoritarian Systems • Examples • Absolute monarchy, dictatorship, totalitarianism • How Leaders are selected • Inherit power or take power by force • Government Powers • Unlimited, government is not limited by the people • How they keep peace • Force, scare tactics, police power • Political parties • There are no other parties to compete with those in power

39. Democracy: Representative-smaller group of people are elected to govern on citizens behalf. Direct-everyone has a direct vote/say in government • Dictatorship: leaders have complete control, citizens do not have a say in government, citizens do not have freedoms like those in democracy • Monarchy (ruled by king or queen) Absolute- king or queen have all the power, people do not have power. Constitutional- king and queen are limited by constitution, people have power • Oligarchy: a form of government in which a small group of people holds power • Theocracy: a government that is ruled by religious leaders

40. Check UP (WED)

41. Homework: Study for Chapter 1 Test!