The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

Learning Outcomes1. Understand why it is important to

care about power, politics, and government.

2. Evaluate and rate multiple ‘power quotes’ using the rating scale provided in class.

3. Create a chart that portrays the five “political games” that are commonly played in politics.

Kickoff Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

Focus Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

History: Most Americans Distrust Gov…

John Locke = Social Contract = Give to Get

Still…We Look to Gov. to Provide For Us

Formal Authority = Legal and Official

Legitimacy = We ‘Accept’ That They Lead

Politics = Competition = A Game

Politics= People Work to Influence Groups

A Gov. Must Use Coercion and Collect $$$

How Can Gov. Give Us What We Want?

Why Should You Care About Power, Politics, and Government?

The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

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Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.We have guided missiles and misguided men.

Martin Luther King Jr.Strength to Love, 1963

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 8

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Power tends to corrupt, andabsolute power corrupts absolutely.

Lord ActonLetter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 9

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It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losingpower corrupts those who wield it and fear of the

scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.

Aung San Suu Kyi“Freedom from fear” speech, 1990

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 10

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Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.

Mao Zedong

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 11

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Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or noweapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable

as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

Ronald ReaganFirst Inaugural Address, 1981

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 12

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When I despair, I remember that all through historythe ways of truth and love have always won. There

have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time theycan seem invincible, but in the end they always fail.

Mohandas Gandhi

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 13

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.

Jimi Hendrix

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 14

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This country has been strip-mined byrich and powerful interests. If you don’t

like what they’re doing, don’t just sit there.

Ralph Nader1992

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True 15

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The quote above is…

Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True

The men who create power make anindispensable contribution to the Nation’s

greatness, but the men who question powermake a contribution just as indispensable.

John F. KennedySpeech at Amherst College, 1963

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Game Description Example

Game Description ExampleHorse Trading Give up something in

exchange for something of equal or greater value. Win-

win situation.

Missouri Compromise

Walkout Walk out and refuse to return until the opposition

agrees to give them something they want.

Cesar Chavez and the Grape Strike

Power Struggle Trying to win by outfoxing or overpowering their

opponents. A Machiavelli idea.

Cuban Missile Crisis

Demolition Derby The goal is complete destruction of your

opponent. Eliminate real and perceived enemies.

Roman Army Third Punic War

Civil Disobedience Publicly shame the opposition by deliberately disobeying what they think

is an unjust law.

Mohandas Gandhi

Exit Slip: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

Five Sources of Power

Learning Outcomes1. Construct a diagram that shows the

five sources of power commonly used by people in a position of authority.

2. Read the primary source document by Machiavelli titled “The Prince”, and answer questions based on your analysis of the document.

Kickoff Question: Five Sources of Power

Focus Question: Five Sources of Power

Formal Authority

Expertise

Coercion

Persuasion Rewards

Formal AuthorityPower comes from

the holder’s position and dutieswithin organization.

ExpertisePower derives from the power holder’s

specific skills orexpertise.

CoercionPower springs fromthe power holder’s ability to punish orpenalize others.

PersuasionPower flows from the power holder’sability to persuadeor influence others.

RewardsPower comes fromthe power holder’s

ability to give something of value.

(such as money)

Comparing Forms of Government

Learning Outcomes1. Evaluate various ways that political

power is distributed in a society.

2. Design a visual that explains and analyzes the pros and cons of various forms of government around the world.

3. Use your pro and con visual to sketch symbols that represent the seven different forms of government.

Kickoff Question: Comparing Forms of Government

Focus Question: Comparing Forms of Government

All Societies Develop Gov.- Simple or Not?

Single-Party: Political Elite (Communism)

Many Forms and Varieties of Gov.

Monarchy: Rule by 1 Hereditary Ruler

Theocracy: Rule by Few Religious Leaders

Federalism: National, State, Local

President Dem: Rep. of People (US)

Parliamentary Dem: Legislative Majority

Direct Democracy: Rule by ALL Citizens

How Should Political Power Be Distributed in a Society?

Comparing Forms of Government

Term Definition Pro Con

Monarchy

Dictatorship

Theocracy

Single-Party State

Direct Democracy

Parliamentary Democracy

Presidential Democracy

Term Definition Pro Con

Monarchy 1 rule exercises power based on divine right.

Clear line of succession.

Quality of leadership can vary.

Dictatorship 1 ruler based on control of military and police.

1 person can get things done quickly.

Power can be used to abuse citizens.

Theocracy Government by religious leaders.

1 Religion promotes political unity.

Religious minorities often persecuted.

Single-Party State 1 political party allowed to govern.

Easier to pass laws. People with different views shut out.

Direct Democracy Citizens vote directly by ballot.

Each citizen has an equal say.

Very time-consuming for citizens.

Parliamentary Democracy

Voters elect lawmakers, lawmakers choose leader

Majority votes with Prime Minister.

No real ‘check’ on Prime Minister.

Presidential Democracy

Voters elect lawmakers and elect President.

Separation of Power allows ‘check’.

Gridlock when Pres. not from maj. party.

Exit Slip: Comparing Forms of Government