Unit I Notes Basic Concepts of American Democracy

What is government?

That complex of offices, personnel, and processes by which a state is ruled. The earliest evidence of government dates back to Egypt more than 2,500 years ago.

Why is government necessary?

People need rules and laws.

People need order People need organization People need services

People need protection

How does American government impact our daily lives?

Imposing taxes Regulating trade Requiring school attendance Passing and enforcing labor laws Funding the military Regulating air and water quality

What is public policy?

All the things that a government chooses to do.

Examples: 1. Guaranteeing free speech and press 2. Imposing income taxes 3. Funding the space station 4. No pass-No play 5. Setting minimum wage

Three branches of American Government

Executive: President and Cabinet: Power to enforce law Legislative: Congress: Power to make law , tax, and spend Judicial: Supreme Court and Federal Courts: Power to interpret laws and the Constitution

What is a constitution?

A fundamental set of laws setting out the principles, powers, and structures of a government .

What is politics?

The process by which a society decides how powers and resources will be distributed within that society.

Who gets what!

What is a state?

A body of people organized politically who are sovereign.

Four Characteristics of a state

Population Government Territory Sovereignty

Population

Human inhabitants

Territory

Defined borders

Government

Creator and enforcer of public policy and law.

Sovereignty

Absolute and supreme power within the borders of a state. No outside forces make and enforce law and policy.

state v. State

A state has all 4 characteristics. (USA) A State has no sovereignty. (Texas) If you know the location of sovereignty, you can determine a state’s form of government.

Four theories of the origin of the state (government):

Divine Rights of Kings Theory Evolution Theory Force Theory Social Contract Theory

Divine Right Theory

God grants certain people the right to rule. Power is derived from religion and birth.

Examples: Saudi Arabia The Vatican City

Evolution Theory

Government evolved gradually over time from family, to Clan, to Tribe, to government.

Examples: Scotland, Ireland, The Cherokee Nation

Force Theory

Government begins by force or military might.

Examples: China, Russia, Iran, etc…

Social Contract Theory

Government begins when people agree to form a state by giving up some of their freedom in exchange for protection.

Examples: USA

Philosophers of the Social Contract Theory

*John Locke * Jean Jacques Rousseau Charles-Henri, The Baron deMontesquieu Thomas Hobbes James Harrington

Basic Principles of the Social Contract Theory

1. Man is born in a “State of Nature” 2. Man lives under the “Law of Nature” 3. Man chooses to form a government for protection 4. Man must give up some rights in exchange for protection 5. If government fails to protect the rights of the people, the people have the right to choose a new government.

The Social Contract Theory if the basis for Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence.

The SIX basic democratic ideas borrowed from John Locke :

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

“ All men are created equal..” “they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights..” “that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…” “governments are instituted among men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..” “that whenever any government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it…” “…and to institute new government…”

Classical Forms Government: 1. Absolute Monarchy

A political system in which “one man” has hereditary rule . No other institutions of government exist. Examples:

2. Dictatorship:

A political system in which an individual or small group hold absolute political power. Examples:

3. Democracy

A political system based upon the consent of the people in which rights are guaranteed by the government to all people.

Examples:

4. Aristocracy

A political and title. system in which power is distributed based upon noble birth Example:

5. Oligarchy :

A political system in which only a few people have power, usually those who have been “chosen”. Example:

6. Facism

A political system in which the government has absolute power based upon a belief in nationalism and military might.

Examples:

7. Anarchy

A political system in which there is no government, rule, or law. Examples:

8. Tribal Government:

A political system in which all economic resources are collectively owned and people owe allegiance t o a chief or leader.

9. Theocracy

A form of government in which God or a deity is recognized as the source of power and law. Leaders/Rulers are chosen by a superior being (deity/God).

Three Classifications of Government

1. Geographic Distribution of Power 2. Number of people who may participate 3. Relationship between legislative and executive branches

1. Unitary System of Government

A political system in which all power belongs to the national government . Example:

Advantages to Unitary Government:

1. Uniform system of law nation-wide.

2. No power struggle between the national and local governments.

3. Less expensive government.

Disadvantages to Unitary Government

1. No local government.

2. Only a few people have law making power for the nation.

3. No diversity of law.

Federal System of Government

A political system in which power is constitutionally divided between the National government and State governments with the National government supreme. Example:

Advantages to Federal Systems of Government

1. Allows for regional differences in law.

2. Divided power allows for more people to have a voice in law making.

3. National supremacy helps to create national identity.

Disadvantages of Federal Government

1. Multiple, often wasteful levels of government make government more expensive.

2. Confusion about the law 3. Conflict between National, State, and local government over power.

Confederate System of Government

A political system in which power is constitutionally divided between the national government and the States with the States having supremacy. Example:

Advantages of Confederate Government

1. Allows for regional differences 2. Local officials are primarily responsible for government decision-making.

3. Limited national government ($)

Disadvantages of Confederate Government

1. Little or no national power or identity.

2. States in conflict over power.

3. No one person is in charge of the nation.

Parliamentary Government

A form of government in which the legislative branch (Parliament) is dominant and chooses the Executive. Example:

Characteristics of Parliamentary Government

1. Three interdependent branches 2. Legislature is dominant 3. No fixed terms of office 4. No separation of powers 5. Prime Minister is chosen by Parliament from Parliament 6. Only Parliament is directly elected by the people

Advantages of Parliamentary Government

1. Government can act very quickly 2. Very little conflict between the branches 3. No expensive national election for Prime Minister

Disadvantages of Parliamentary Government

1. Taxes and laws may pass too quickly 2. Prime Minister may be fired by Parliament without cause 3. Political instability can lead to economic instability

Presidential Government

A form of government branches.

which has 3 independent Example:

Characteristics of Presidential Government

1. Three, separate, equal branches of government 2. Fixed terms of office (Exec and Leg Branches) 3. Separation of Powers 4. Checks and Balances 5. Legislature directly elected by the people 6. Executive elected indirectly by the people and independent of the Legislature

Advantages of Presidential Government

1. Each branch has set powers 2. Checks and Balances prevents abuses of power 3. Executive is independent of Legislative

Disadvantages of Presidential Government

1. President and Congress are designed to be in conflict 2. Law-making is difficult and lengthy 3. No one has all the power or responsibility all the time

Democratic Government

A form of government in which the people are sovereign.

Examples:

Characteristics of Democracy

1. Government is chosen by the people in competitive elections 2. Personal liberties are guaranteed by the government 3. Equality before the law

Advantages of Democratic Government

1. High level of freedom for all people 2. People have a choice in government 3. No one is above the law

Disadvantages of Democratic Government

1. Everyone has the same rights, even “bad” people 2. Conflict over rights 3. Change takes a long time

Two kinds of Democracy :

1. Direct or Pure Democracy: everyone votes on all laws themselves 2. Republic or Indirect Democracy: people elect representative to make the laws

Dictatorship

A form of government in which power is held by one person or a small group of people and the people have few rights.

Examples:

Advantages to Dictatorship

1. Change can take place very quickly 2. Little conflict over rights 3. All decisions are made for the people by the government.

Disadvantages of Dictatorship

1. People have few or no rights 2. Governments regulates personal lives 3. Government officials have more rights

Types of Dictatorship

1. Totalitarian: government has absolute and unchallenged power 2. Authoritarian: government has total control over all aspects of the peoples’ lives

Five Principles of American Democracy

1. Fundamental Worth of the Individual 2. Equality of All Persons 3. Majority Rule Restrained by Minority Rights 4. Compromise 5. Individual Liberty

Economic Systems

An economic system is an organized way of providing goods and services to society.

It is NOT the same thing as a form of government!

Capitalism

An economic system based on the private ownership of property, the profit motive, and economic freedom.

Created by Adam Smith is his book The Wealth of

Nations, 1776

Examples:

Characteristics of Capitalism

1. Private ownership of property 2. Limited government intervention in the economy 3. Government support of entrepreneurship 4. Consumer protection is limited 5. Freedom of economic choice 6. Government subsidies of business 7. Government uses taxes to provide some services 8. Government provides limited social services to some people

Advantages of Capitalism

1. People have economic choices 2. Freedom of mobility 3. The market sets prices and supply 4. Government supports innovation 5. Profits and incomes are unlimited !

Disadvantages of Capitalism

1. Only productive people are rewarded 2. Limited social services are provided only to the neediest members of society 3. Government uses personal income to support business Examples:

Socialism

* An economic system in which private ownership of property is combined with public ownership(gov’t). * First created by Aristotle about 400 BCE Sometimes called democratic socialism

Characteristics of Socialism

1. Nationalization of major industries 2. Workers have direct role in economic decisions of nation (vote) 3. Government central planning regulates the economy 4. High taxes to re-distribute wealth 5. Extensive social services for all citizens

Advantages of Socialism

1. Government provides all with necessities of life 2. Everyone has benefits 3. Government can control the economy

Disadvantages of Socialism

1. No incentive to work harder 2. Limited economic choice 3. Entrepreneurship not rewarded 4. Taxes are VERY high (80%+)

Communism

*An economic system characterized by collective ownership of all resources and the absence of private property and social classes.

*Created by Karl Marx and Fredrick Engles in their book Das Capital, 1865 Examples:

Characteristics of Communism

1. Nationalization of all businesses 2. Government controls the economy 3. Economic freedom is non-existent 4. Limited social services are provided to all 5. Profits are illegal 6. Repressive political system is required to achieve economic equality

Advantages of Communism

1. Everyone is economically equal 2. Everyone’s needs are provided by the government 3. Everyone has a job 4. Government can change economic priorities quickly

Disadvantages of Communism

1. No incentive to work hard 2. Very limited economic choices 3. Only needs are provided 4. No economic mobility

Developed by Home Ownership Business Ownership Incentive to work Mobility Social Programs Health Care Unions Consumer Protection Prices Type Gov’t Promotion Economic Decision making Profits Pay/Benefits How chosen?

Capitalism

Adam Smith Private Private Profits Free Limited Best/ Expensive Limited Some Unlimited Good Election

Socialism

Aristotle Private Combined Benefits Limited Extensive Good/Free Extensive Extensive Supply/Demand Gov’t Democracy Democracy Skills/Talents Union Member Individual Gov’t Limited Excellent Election

Communism

Marx & Engles Collective Government Avoid Prison None Some Poor/Free Illegal None Gov’t Dictatorship Party Member Gov’t Illegal Poor Revolution

The End!