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Understanding Government: Definitions and Functions

Explore the fundamental concepts of government, public policies, and power structures, including democracy, dictatorship, and sovereignty. Learn the key principles and purposes of government in preserving societal well-being and ensuring justice, tranquility, and defense.

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Understanding Government: Definitions and Functions

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  1. Do Now: Grab a textbook from the shelf and define the words below. • Government • Public policies • Legislative power • Executive power • Judicial power • Dictatorship • Democracy • State • Sovereign • homogeneous

  2. Chapter 1Principles of Government Section 1 Government & the State

  3. Are Government and Politics the same? • Government: • An institution in which society makes and enforces public policies • An agency through which the state exerts its will and works to accomplish its goals • Includes the machinery and personnel • Government is necessary to preserve the general well-being of the people – Thomas Hobbes • Politics: • a process • Society’s way to decide how to distribute power and resources • Allows society to decide who will reap the benefits and who will pay the cost of public policies • It is neither good nor bad, but necessary • Government cannot do its job without politics

  4. Characteristics of a State Population: A state must have people; size is not a factor Territory: Must have land and recognized boundaries Characteristics Of A Nation Sovereignty: A state has the power to set up its own policies Government: A state is organized politically

  5. DO NOW: STUDY FOR VOCAB QUIZ

  6. Where do Nations come from? The Devine Right Theory Western theory of rule until the 18th century. God created the state and granted those of royal birth the right to rule. People were bound to obey their rule as they obey God. The Force Theory A small group takes control of a area and forced all living within its borders to submit to the group’s will. The Evolutionary Theory The state evolved naturally out of the early family. A network of families became a clan, a clan became a tribe. When tribes began to farm and became tied to the land, the state was born. Social Contract Theory Created out of a challenge to the Devine Right Theory. Society overcame being ruled by another by agreeing to form a new state. People gave up enough power for the state to rule them safely.

  7. What does government do? Purposes of Government Establish Justice The law must be fair, reasonable and impartial. Justice is a concept that means what the people make it mean Insure Domestic Tranquility Order is essential to the well being of any society. Since men are imperfect, the government must compensate. Form a More Perfect Union The Constitution was written in order to link the American People. It represents the belief that in union there is strength. Provide for the Common Defense Defending the nation against foreign enemies is one of government’s major responsibilities Promote the General Welfare Examples include: public schools, protecting drinking water and air quality Securing the Blessings of Liberty Guarantees many freedoms to the citizens of the state

  8. Question of the Day… Think about your day yesterday…What examples of government did you observe during your daily tasks?? Write your answer on the sheet of paper provided.

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