Presentation Transcript

1. The Foundations of Government
2. What is Government? Government is how society chooses people to make and enforce its public policies. So what are public policies? Public policies are anything that a government does…like taxes, education, national defense, health care, etc.
3. Government usually comes from a state (think United States, not South Carolina)…and a state has four characteristics: Population, or people who live in an area Sovereignty, or supreme and absolute power in its territory Government Territory, or land that has known and recognized boundaries
4. So why do we have government? The truth is there are numerous reasons, but the United States Constitution gives us six pretty good reasons… But how far should a government go for these things? What prices will people pay? What other things get in the way?
5. What Type of Governments Are There? And How is Power Divided? May be divided on how power is shared geographically: Unitary Gov’t – all power is held in one central agency Federal Gov’t – powers divided between a central government and several local governments Confederate Gov’t – independent states each operate and work together only on issues that they decide May be divided on the relationship b/w Executive & Legislative Branches Presidential Gov’t – a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches Parliamentary Gov’t – the executive branch is actually chosen from the legislative branch May be divided on who gets to participate in the government Dictatorship – government does not answer to the people Democracy – the power of government rests with the people
6. Democratic Society Political Efficacy – the people’s faith in government and belief that they can cause change Civic Life – the act of people being active in government; reliant upon people’s political efficacy How can political efficacy and the civil life of citizens in a democratic society have a great effect upon both the government and politics of that society?
7. Where do these ideas come from? Ancient Egypt Oldest recorded government. Absolute divine right monarchy under the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh employed a large bureaucracy to manage the government, economy, and laws. Ancient Greece Athens provided first method of direct democracy. All male citizens would vote on laws and regulations for the city-state. Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle created theories of government to explain why we have them and what types are best. Ancient Rome The Roman Republic provided an example of Constitutional and Representative government. A system of law was established and officials were elected by citizens to lead the Republic and create its laws. The Enlightenment Philosophers like John Locke, Charles de Montesquieu, and William Blackstone develop theories about the rights that people naturally possess. Divine right is rejected as a basis for government. The belief that laws can protect natural rights is established. The presumption of innocence is accepted into Common Law.
8. British Influences on US Government Magna Carta Signed by King John in 1215 to end the Baron’s Revolt Gave English nobility right to question royal power and established a “constitution” in England Petition of Right English constitutional document created in 1628 limiting the king’s power over taxation without Parliament’s permission, forcing people to house soldiers (billeting), imprisonment without cause, and martial law Glorious Revolution 1688 overthrow of the Stuart Dynasty who believed in Absolute Monarchy Stuarts replaced with William and Mary of Orange who agreed to rule under a constitutional monarchy limited by laws passed by Parliament Act of Parliament passed in 1689 limiting English royal power Provides the framework for our own Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights Mayflower Compact First form of written government established by the English in the New World Established government in Plymouth Colony in 1620 through a social contract as the settlers consented to sign and agree to the laws stated in the Compact
9. The English Bill of Rights Limits on Royal Power Monarch cannot establish courts alone or act as judge Monarch cannot raise taxes on his own Freedom of speech in the Houses of Parliament Right to consent to establishment of new taxes and the creation of a Standing Army Powers given to Parliament Right to have arms for their own defense Right to petition the monarch without fear of retribution Protection against punishment without conviction and cruel and unusual punishments Rights of the People