Government and the State How is government defined? What are the basic powers that every government holds? What are the four defining characteristics of the state? How have we attempted to explain the origin of the state? What is the purpose of government in the United States and other countries? What Is Government? (1)Government is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. Perceptions of Government An entity that takes away (2)Individual Freedoms (2)Taxes us (takes money) (2)Regulates our actions (do we truly have freedom of speech?) Definitions of Government (3)Govern to exercise continuous sovereign authority (3)to control and direct the making and administration of policy (3)political association that does two things: Makes rules for determining who will get the valued things of society. Regulates the use of legitimate force in society Chapter 1, Section The State The state can be defined as having these four characteristics: Origins of the State (5)The Force Theory The force theory states that one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to that persons or groups rule. (5)The Evolutionary Theory The evolutionary theory argues that the state evolved naturally out of the early family. (5)The Divine Right Theory The theory of divine right holds that God created the state and that God gives those of royal birth a divine right to rule. (5)The Social Contract Theory The social contract theory argues that the state arose out of a voluntary act of free people Lenses to View Government (6)Public Interest (7)Adam Smith (Father of Capitalism) Public interest would (8)rise through free and unrestricted market place Self-interested individuals pursue their own goals-benefit the public interest (9)Governments job is to protect property and provide a limited amount of goods not provided by the market Governments only roles is to make sure capitalism prospers (10)Public interest being satisfied is called invisible hand The Purpose of Government The main purposes of government are described in the Preamble of the Constitution of the United States: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, (11)establish Justice, (11)insure domestic Tranquility, (11)provide for the common defence, (11)promote the general Welfare, and (11)secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Chapter 1, Section Forms of Government S E C T I O N 2 Forms of Government How can we classify governments? How are systems of government defined in terms of who can participate? How is power distributed within a state? How are governments defined by the relationship between the legislative and executive branches? Chapter 1, Section Classifying Governments Governments can be classified by three different standards: (12) Who can participate in the governing process. (12) The geographic distribution of the governmental power within the state. (12) The relationship between the legislative (lawmaking) and the executive (law- executing) branches of the government. Classification by Who Can Participate Chapter 1, Section Democracy 13-In a democracy, supreme political authority rests with the people. 14-A direct democracy exists where the will of the people is translated into law directly by the people themselves. 15-In an indirect democracy, a small group of persons, chosen by the people to act as their representatives, expresses the popular will. Dictatorship A dictatorship exists where those who rule cannot be held responsible to the will of the people. 16-An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. 17-An oligarchy is a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self- appointed elite. Classification by Geographic Distribution of Power 18-Unitary Government A unitary government has all powers held by a single, central agency. Chapter 1, Section Confederate Government A confederation is an alliance of independent states. Federal Government A 19-federal government is one in which the powers of government are divided between a central government and several local governments. An authority superior to both the central and local governments makes this division of power on a geographic basis. Chapter 1, Section Foundations The American concept of democracy rests on these basic notions: (20) A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person; (20) A respect for the equality of all persons; (20) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights; (20) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise; and (20) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom. Chapter 1, Section Democracy and the Free Enterprise System The 21-free enterprise system is an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control; and determined in a free market. Decisions in a free enterprise system are determined by the 21-law of supply and demand. An economy in which private enterprise exists in combination with a considerable amount of government regulation and promotion is called a 21- mixed economy. Lenses to View Government John Stuart Mill Maximize Individual Freedoms Two dimensions: 22public & 22private spheres Public: concerns of the state; government can make demands on public action Citizens made to participate in public affairs Private: difference is essential in society; better living Different dress, lifestyles, right/wrong; good if they dont harm society Stifling personal values, freedom of expression is wrong Difference leads to innovation; discover better life style Whos to say those with different styles isnt right? Individuals should have their personal freedom to do what they want in private. Democracy and the Internet Chapter 1, Section Democracy demands that the people be 23- widely informed about their government. Theoretically, the Internet makes knowledgeable participation in democratic process easier than ever before. However, all data on the World Wide Web is not necessarily true, and the long-term effects of the Internet on democracy has yet to be determined. Chapter 2, Section 1 Our Political Beginnings S E C T I O N 1 Our Political Beginnings What basic concepts of government were held by American colonists? Which important English documents have had the most influence on our government? How were the governments of the thirteen colonies organized? The English colonists in America brought with them three main concepts: Basic Concepts of Government The need for an ordered social system, or government. The idea of limited government, 24-that is, that government should not be all-powerful. The concept of 25-representative governmenta government that serves the will of the people. Chapter 2, Section Early Beginning Limited Government Government is not all powerful Individuals have rights inalienable rights Planted in colonists mind for centuries 26-Religious Freedom; English had to pay taxes to support the Church of England Repressive Press English controlled the press Representative Government Government serves the people; people have a voice 1200s End of Renaissance change of political belief Exploration of Physical World led to Greek & their knowledge Creators of Direct Democracy; people sat and discussed changes to Govt In 509 B.C. -Romans created elected posts create law Executive post Caesar who worked with elected senate to rule and govern the Empire English people came to see 27-Greek & Romans as the true forums of Government Prevent Tyranny in Government Important English Documents The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history: Chapter 2, Section Landmark Documents 28-Magna Carta English Monarch expands powers 29-Kings Establishes Courts Royal appointed judges made law to Kings approval Placed taxes on the Nobility Nobility disliked the expanded powers Took away traditional powers 1215 Forced King protected Nobility rights and Privileges Created a Great Council (Parliament) King seeks Council approval first King could not place taxes on Nobility without consent No free person imprisoned without a jury trial Monumental Achievement Monarchs power could be limited by citizens Landmark Documents 28-English Bill of Rights 1600s English Civil War; 30-King vs Parliament Parliament forced out King James II Selects Successor; places new King Exchange for throne new king must sign Bill of Rights 31-Monarchs could not make or suspend law without consent 31-Needs approval to raise taxes & maintain army 31-Monarch can not participate in parliamentary elections 31-Monarch would protect freedom of religion, rights to petition Political Beginnings The Thirteen Colonies Chapter 2, Section 1 There were three types of colonies in North America: 32-royal, proprietary, and charter The royal colonies were ruled directly by the English monarchy. The King granted land to people in North America, who then formed proprietary colonies. The charter colonies were mostly self-governed, and their charters were granted to the colonists. Chapter 2, Section British Colonial Policies Until the mid-1700s, the colonies were allowed a great deal of freedom in their governments by the English monarchy. In 1760, 33-King George III imposed new taxes and laws on the colonists. The colonists started a confederation, proposed an annual congress, and began to rebel. Coming of Independence Habit of Self-Government Colonies begin with different authorities & powers Colonies retained powers not shared by the King (Power of Veto) 34-Colonial Governors held power of absolute veto 34-Power to make courts, power to remove officials, power to dismiss council/parliament Wielding prerogatives that King did not have Parliament Expands power Elected officials; held power of purse; power to initiate legislation All this with out help or approval from England Growing Colonial Unity Early Attempts In 1643, several New England settlements formed the New England Confederation. A confederation is a joining of several groups for a common purpose. The Albany Plan In 1754,-35- Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union, in which an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the 13 colonies would be formed. Chapter 2, Section The Stamp Act Congress In 1765, a group of colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in New York. These delegates prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances against British policies and sent it to the king. Heritage of Conflict British face new problems How to manage new lands? How to pay new debt from war? What is the colonies parts in this? 1763 War breaks out in Ohio Valley; new settlers and Indian allies of the French All British settlers wiped out of Ohio Valley British not prepared to deal with such conflict with other issues to way. 1763 Proclamation all settlers forbidden beyond Appalachians No surveys, no land grants Angered Colonists who wanted more land to settle Give England a chance to decided what to do with new land 1763 British Finances Large debt & loss of military man power 36-George Greenville (Lord of Treasury) Heavy tax burden at home light burden in colonies American colonies obligated to assist in up keep of frontier Time of Action Stamp Act Congress June 1765 Massachusetts called for a general assembly Declaration of Rights & Grievances A petition to King & Parliament; repeal the -37-stamp act Parliament has no power to levy (place) taxes; power of the people 1765 1772 Colonies unite; through councils, town meetings, committees, organizations Sons of Liberty, Demonstrations (Boston Tea Party, Wearing of home spun clothing) Coercive Acts / Intolerable Acts 1774 Four acts (37-Quartering Act, Impartial Act, Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Act) Imply Force; make an example of Boston for other colonies The 38-Continental Congresses Chapter 2, Section First Continental Congress The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed, or recalled. Second Continental Congress In 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this gathering in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress served as the first government of the United States from 1776 to 1781. First Continental Congress Sept. 5, 1774 Decide how to deal with British atrocities 55 delegates sent to Philadelphia to debate Functioned as a congress/ Vote and create policies Adopt resolutions of how to work together to deal with British Congress decided: 39-Intolerable acts null & void 39-Boston must arm themselves 39-Boycott British goods 39-Decided (dominion theory) parliament had not authority; colonies subject to crown only Wrote the King for relief from the atrocities King declares the colonies in rebellion Calls for immediate action and blows to be taken Second Continental Congress May 1775 Second Congress convenes (war already started) No legal authority, no resources; assume command Elect generals Allocated money for war budget Possible Compromise? 40-Created Olive Branch petition Refrain from hostilities; declared allegiance to the Monarch Olive branch failed to impress Declaration of Causes & Necessity Just causes; fighting for rights King declared colonies to be open and avowed enemies Congress further assumes command Negotiate peace treaties with Indians Organizes a Post Office Authorizes and builds a Navy American Independence On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the 41-Declaration of Independence. Between 1776 and 1777, most of the States adopted constitutions instead of charters. Chapter 2, Section