Introduction: Chapter 1

1. Introduction: Chapter 1 Government - Institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies.

2. Introduction • 4 purposes of Government • Provide protection for the people • Maintain social order by making and enforcing laws • Provide essential services for the people • Make decisions that influence the nations economy

3. Theories • Theories of How Government Originated • Divine Right Theory • Rules are chosen by the gods • Religion is the basis of authority • Evolutionary Theory • Developed by Charles Darwin • Family was the 1st form of Govt. • The family is the basis of authority • Force Theory • Seizure of power was the 1st act of Govt. • Might makes right

4. Social Contract Theory • Thomas Hobbes wrote Leviathan • Tried to describe government • Leader selected and contract made to follow rules • Better than anarchy • John Locke wrote Two Treaties of Govt. • Agreed with Hobbes about contract, however he believed if people were unhappy they had the right to renegotiate or make a new contract • State exists to serve the people • People voluntarily give up some rights to be governed • Changed our view of the world

5. Vocabulary • Legislative – make laws (congress) • Executive – enforce the laws (president) • Judicial – interpret the laws (courts) • Separation of power – division of power between legislative, executive, and judicial branches

6. Constitution – a written or unwritten plan of Govt. • Politics – the effort to control or influence govt. conduct and policies • Political Party – a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates, win elections, conduct govt., and determine public policy • Developing nation – nations that are in the early stages of industry and technology

7. Types of Governments • Aristotle – Greek scholar – He was one of the early students of government. He identified types of governments.

8. Types • Dictatorship – political system in which one person or a small group hold absolute power. • Autocracy – the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual. • Oligarchy – a small group holds absolute power. • Features • 1 party: sometimes hold elections but only 1 party running. • Strong police force • Unitary system – a govt. that gives all key powers to a national govt.

9. Types • Democracy – Govt. in which the people rule. • Representative democracy or Republic – a govt. in which voters hold sovereign power; elect representatives to exercise that power. • Key elements • Free elections with competing political parties. • Individual liberty. • Will of the majority cannot be used to deny minority groups of their rights. • Federal system – a govt. that divides power between the national and state levels.

10. Criteria needed for democracy to succeed • Active citizen participation • Favorable economy • Education • Strong Civil Society • Social Consensus

11. Vocabulary • Confederacy – a loose alliance of independent states • Revenue – money the govt. collects from taxes and other sources • Limited Government – a system in which the power of govt. is not absolute

12. Economics • Economics – study of human efforts to satisfy seemingly unlimited wants through the use of limited resources. Capitalism – an economic system providing free choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises • Adam Smith – Scottish philosopher and economist, considered the “Father of Capitalism” Free Market – system in which buyers and sellers make free choices in the market place

13. Economics • Socialism – an economic system in which the govt. owns the basic means of production, distribution, and provides social services • Attempts to distribute wealth and economic opportunity equally

14. Economics • Communism – an economic system in which the central govt. directs all major economic decisions • Karl Marx – German philosopher that believed class struggle would lead to revolution. • Divides people into 2 groups • Bourgeoisie – people that own the means of production • Proletariat – the workers • Govt. decides how much to produce, what to produce and how to distribute goods and services

15. Economics • Mixed Economy – the economic system that combines free enterprise with govt. regulation; the United States is considered to have a mixed economy based on free enterprise.

16. Chapter 2 Notes • English had greatest impact on U.S. Govt. • 1066 – William, Duke of Normandy conquered England – 1st centralized govt. in England • 1215 – King John was forced to sign Magna Carta • Established the principle of limited govt.

17. Chapter 2 Notes • 1400 – Parliament was established; With 2 chambers. • 1628 – Parliament passed the Petition of Right; placed clear limits on the power of King. • 1689 – William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. Did away with Divine Right of Monarchs.

18. Chapter 2 Notes • Code of Hammurabi – 1st code of written laws (1790 B.C.) • 10 Commandments – strict moral code of Hebrew laws that influence many of our laws today. • Machiavelli – wrote The Prince (1532), advising rulers to do anything necessary to remain in control. Don’t be hampered by considerations of honor or justice. • Baron de Montesquieu – wrote Spirit of Laws (1750). Father of Constitutions – called for separation of powers with 3 co-equal branches.

19. Chapter 2 Notes • Mayflower Compact – agreement signed by pilgrims declaring that they would be self governing. • Virginia House of Burgesses – 1st elected legislature in America. • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – 1st written constitution in colonial America. • New England Confederation – early colonial organization formed for defense against Native Americans. • Maryland Toleration Act – basis for religious freedom in Colonial America.

20. Chapter 2 Notes • Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin’s attempt to organize the colonies for trade and defense. • Stamp Act Congress – organized protests against British policies in colonial America. • 1st Continental Congress – called because of Intolerable Acts; led to embargo.

21. Chapter 2 Notes • 2nd Continental Congress – assumed the power of a central govt. during the Revolutionary War. (1st govt. of U.S.) • Declaration of Independence – chief author was Thomas Jefferson. Gave reasons we were rebelling.

22. Chapter 2 Notes • Articles of Confederation – 1st written govt. of the U.S. • Only 1 branch of govt. – legislative branch • No president • No courts • Power to: 1. enter into treaties 2. make war and peace 3. set up a monetary system