Chapter 1 Principles of Government

Section 1- Government and the State

Political Dictionary

1. Government- The institution through which society makes and enforces its public policies.

2. Public Policy- All those things a government decides to do; taxation, defense, education crime, etc.

3. Legislative Power- The power to make law and frame public policies.

4. Executive Power- The power to execute, enforce and administer law.

5. Judicial Power- The power to interpret laws, determine their meaning and settle disputes.

6. Constitution- A body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures and processes of government.

7. Dictatorship- Power held by a single person or small group who are not responsible to the will of the people.

8. Democracy- When the responsibility for the exercise of power rests with the majority of the people; supreme authority rests with the people.

9. State- A body of people living in a defined territory, organized politically and with the power to make and enforce law.

10. Sovereign- A state that has absolute and supreme power within its own territory and can decide foreign and domestic (inside the state) policies.

Key Points

Every state has four defining characteristics:

• Population

• Territory

• Sovereignty

• Government

Major Political Ideas:

• Force Theory- State is born out of force

• Evolutionary Theory- State naturally developed out of families

• Divine Right theory- God created the state and God have given those of royal birth a divine right to rule.

Purpose of Government:

• Form a More Perfect Union- A strong link between the state making the country stronger

• Establish Justice- Law must be reasonable, fair and impartial.

• Insure Domestic Tranquility- Peace and order in a community.

• Provide for the Common Defense- Defending the nation against foreign enemies

• Promote the General Welfare- Promote schools, environmental quality, safety, etc.

• Secure the Blessings of Liberty- Protect liberty by each generation.

Section 2 Forms of Government

Political Dictionary

1. Autocracy- Government where one person holds unlimited political power.

2. Oligarchy- Government in which power is held by a small, self-appointed elite

3. Unitary Government- All powers held by the government belong to a single, central agency.

4. Federal Government- Powers are divided between a central government and local governments.

5. Confederation- An alliance of independence states with powers limited to defense and trade.

6. Presidential Government- The executive and legislative branches of the government are separate, independent and coequal.

7. Parliamentary Government- The executive is a Prime Minister who is a member of the majority party in Parliament.

Key Points

Who Can Participate in Government?

• The number of people that can participate in a government whether it be a democracy or dictatorship (autocracy or oligarchy).

Geographic Distribution of Power

• Unitary, Federal or Confederate government

Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Branches

• Presidential Government and Parliamentary Government

Section 3 Basic Concepts of Democracy

Political Dictionary

1. Compromise- Process of blending and adjusting competing views and interests.

2. Free Enterprise System- Private ownership of goods, economic decisions are not made by the government and competition in the marketplace.

3. Law of Supply and Demand- When supplies of goods and services are plentiful, prices tend to drop.  When they become scarcer prices tend to rise.

4. Mixed Economy- A combination of private enterprise (Free Enterprise) and government regulation.

Key Points

Foundations:

• A recognition of the worth and dignity of every person

• Respect for equality of all persons

• Faith in majority rule an insistence of minority rights

• Necessity of compromise

• Widest possible degree of individual freedom