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The Purpose of Government And The Nature of Power. Stiles AP GoPo. Discuss. What is government? What is the purpose of government? How should we govern? Who should have the power? What should government do?. What is government?.
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The Purpose of GovernmentAndThe Nature of Power Stiles AP GoPo
Discuss • What is government? • What is the purpose of government? • How should we govern? • Who should have the power? • What should government do?
What is government? • The institutions that make public policy decisions for a society • Who should rule? • Power: the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions • Authority: the right to use power • Legitimacy: Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution • Who has the power? • Who has the power in this class? School? State? Country? • Who gets to decide legitimacy?
Types of Government • Democracy: • The rule of the many • Direct democracy: • AKA participatory government; a government in which all or most citizens participate directly • Representative democracy: • A government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote
Types of Government • Monarchy: • Headed by a monarch (rules by hereditary right) • Totalitarian government: • Centralized gov’t that does not tolerate parties or differing opinions; exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life • Authoritarian government: • Absolute obedience to authority • Oligarchy: • Government ruled by a few people; typically a small faction of people or a family
The Nature of Power • Time Magazine's Most Influential List • What makes people influential? • Should influence equal power? • Should Beyoncé be president? • Yes…because who runs the world? Girls.