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Q 1 -Define a state, and explain several key features found within a state. . Fundamentals for a State What’s a State? State-political community that occupies a definite territory with an organized government
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Q1-Define a state, and explain several key features found within a state. • Fundamentals for a State • What’s a State? • State-political community that occupies a definite territory with an organized government • Nation- any group of people united by common race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes even religion • Example: United States of America • No common race, English, Shaking hands, 4th of July, No Religion • Popular use of term nation fits the standard definition of a state • Nation-state: when political and geographical boundaries are the same • Example: France even though not all inside borders are of French descent • Territories of both the nation of France and state of France coincide • Answers to no other higher authority • Features of a State • Population: agreement about basic beliefs=stability • Territory: Established borders • Sovereignty: supreme and absolute authority • Government: the institution which maintains social order, provide public services
Q2-Describe the four theories on the origin of political communities, differentiating Thomas Hobbes and John Locke’s theories • Theories of the Origin of the State • Evolutionary Theory- belief that the state evolved from the family • Force Theory-government emerged when people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group • Divine Right Theory- Idea that the gods have chosen people to rule • Social Contract Theory-By contract people surrendered to the state the power needed to maintain order, and in turn the state agreed to protect the people • Thomas Hobbes was one of the first to theorize on the Social Contract • He wrote in state of nature no government existed • Hobbes believed the people did not have right to break this contact or agreement • John Locke took the Social Contract a step further • Locke defended Parliaments overthrow of the King • Wrote that people were naturally endowed with the right to life, liberty, and property • To preserve their rights, they willingly contracted to give power to governing authority • When government failed to preserve the rights of people the people had right to break contract
Q3-Justify the purpose of a state as a political community and giving examples for each purpose. • Purpose of a State • Maintain social order • By implementing and enforcing laws • John Locke, Two Treatises of Government • Provide public services • Like building sewers, and highways, or inspecting meat and produce • Provide national security • Protect against attacks from other states • To make treaties with other nations • Provide for and control the economic system • Pass and determine laws that the economic environment of the nation • Stimulate economic growth by controlling inflation, encouraging trade, and regulating natural resources
Q4-Define similarities and differences in a unitary and federal system of government. • Unitary system- all key powers to the national or central government • Doesn’t mean only one level of government • But central government creates state, provincial or other local gov’t and gives them sovereignty • Federal system- divides all key powers between national and state or provincial governments • Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas • United States began with confederacy-loose union of independent states • This failed and we drafted constitution making national government supreme • Federal governments include Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Australia and India
Constitution & Governments • Constitution plan that provides rule for government and equals a limited government • Three Purposes • Set out ideals that people believe in and share • Establishes basic structure, powers, and duties of government • Provides supreme law for country • Constitutional government • A government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern • Written Constitution-outlines organization and the powers of a government • Unwritten constitution • Based on hundreds of years of legislative acts, court decisions and customs
Continued… • Preamble • Most constitutions contain a statement that sets forth the goals and purpose to be served by the government • Structures for Government • Main body of a constitution is typically divided into parts called articles and sections • Highest Law • Constitutional law-constitutions provide the highest law of the land • Involves interpretation and application • Politics • Effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government • Seeking Government Benefits • Importance of Politics • Through politics conflicts in society are managed • Special Interests • Government should promote the general welfare and thus act in the interest of all people not just favoring any special group
Q5-Describe the components of three types of government, analyzing the components found in democracy • Types of Government • Autocracy-Any system of government in which power and authority are in hands of an individual • Totalitarian Dictatorship • Ideas of single leader are glorified • Government seeks to control social and economic life • For example: Adolf Hitler’s government in Germany and Benito Mussolini’s rule in Italy • Monarchy-king or queen or emperor exercises supreme power and usually inherit powers • Absolute monarchs have complete and absolute powers • For example: King of Saudi Arabia • Constitutional Monarchs have shared powers with elected legislator and serve as ceremonial leaders of government • Oligarchic a system of government in which a small group hold power • Derives power from wealth, military, power, social positions, or combination • Sometimes even religion is source of power • People Republic of China
Q5- Continued… • Democracy- any system of government in which rule is by the people • Greek : Demos means people and Kratia- means rule • Direct democracy-people govern themselves by voting on issues individually • Town meeting in New England • No nation has a direct democracy • Indirect or Representative democracy-people elect representatives and give power • Practiced in cities, states, provinces, and counties where population is too large to meet regularly • Republic voters are the source of governments authority • Elected representatives who are responsible to the people exercises that power • Not every democracy is a republic • For example: Peoples Republic of China • Characteristics of Democracy • Individual liberty- be as free as possible • Majority rule with Minority rights • For example: Japanese Relocation Camps in World War II • Endo vs. United States • Free elections • One person, one vote • Can express thoughts freely • Secret ballot safe from coercion • Competing political parties • Keys to Success of Democracy • Active Citizen Participation • A favorable Economy • Free enterprise • Widespread Education • Strong Civil Society • Civil society • Social Consensus
Q6-Define capitalism, analyzing several key components of the economic system. • Economic Theories • Role of Economies • What and how much should be produced? • How goods and services should be produce? • Who get goods and services that are produced? • Capitalism • Origins of Capitalism • No one invented capitalism it gradually developed from economic and political changes in medieval and early modern Europe • Two important concepts of capitalism • People could work for economic gain • Wealth should be used aggressively • Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations written in 1776 • Laissez-faire or Let alone • According to philosophy government should keep hands off economy • All government does is ensure competition in free market • Components of Capitalism • Types of Economy: Market Economy • Private Ownership: Productive Property and Means of Production assures decentralized decision making • Free Market: Individuals are free to start and run their businesses • Competition among Business: Helps to hold down prices and keep quality high = Supply and Demand • Freedom of Choice: Consumers, entrepreneurs, and workers enjoy freedom of choice
Q7-Compare socialism and communism, explaining all characteristics of the economic system. • Communism • REVOLUTION • Type of Economy: Command • Labor theory of Value • Bourgeoisies • Wealthy Owners • Proletariat • Workers • Dictatorship of the Proletariat • Socialism • EVOLUTION • Type of Economy: Command Economy-government sets goals for production • Nationalization: Centralized decision making by government • Public Services and the Welfare State: guarantee public welfare by providing for the equal distribution of necessities and services • Political and Economic philosophy