2 Government and the State: What is Government?The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policiesPublic Policies –All of those things a government decides to do.
3 Three Branches of Government: LegislativeCongress – MAKES LAWSExecutivePresident – ENFORCE LAWSJudicialCourts – INTERPRET LAWS
4 Powers of Government: Constitution Dictatorship Democracy A body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a governmentDictatorshipThose who rule cannot be held responsible by the peopleDemocracySupreme authority rests with the people
5 The State: Population – A state must have people Territory – A state must have landSovereignty – A state has supreme and absolute power within its own territory and can decide its own foreign and domestic policies. It is neither subordinate nor responsible to any other authority.Government – Every state is politically organized
6 Origins of the State: Force Theory (pg. 7) Evolutionary Theory Divine Right TheorySocial Contract Theory
7 Purpose of Government Form a More Perfect Union Establish Justice Insure Domestic TranquilityProvide for the Common DefensePromote the General WelfareSecure the Blessings of Liberty
8 Forms of Government: Who Can Participate? Democracy – Political authority rests with the people.Direct Democracy – Does not exist today – Ancient Greek cultureRepresentative Democracy – small group of people chosen by the people act as representatives of the popular willDictatorship – Those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people.Autocracy – single person holds unlimited political power.Oligarchy – power to rule is held by a small, usually self- appointed elite.
9 Geographic Distribution of Power: Unitary - One Branch holds all The Power but not All PowerFederal – Powers are divided between central and local governmentsConfederate – Alliance of Independent States
10 Relationship between Legislative and Executive Branches: Presidential Government – Executive and Legislative Branches are SEPARATE!Parliamentary Government – The Executive Branch is made up of members from the Legislative Branch
11 Basic Concepts of Democracy Worth of the IndividualEquality of All PersonsMajority Rule, Minority RightsNecessity of CompromiseIndividual Freedom
12 Democracy and the Free Enterprise System Law of Supply and Demand
13 Mixed EconomyGovernment participates to protect the public and preserve private enterprises