Chapter 1: Principles of Government

Chapter 1: Principles of Government

S.C. Standards: USG.1

USG 1.1 Analyze political theories related to the existence, necessity, and purpose of government, including natural rights, balance of the public & private interests, and physical & economic security.

USG 1.2 Analyze the components of government and the governing process, including politics, power, authority, sovereignty, legitimacy, public institutions, efficacy, and civic life.

USG 1.3 Evaluate the role and relationship of the citizen to government in democratic, republican, authoritarian, & totalitarian systems.

What should government do?

USG 1.4 Analyze the institutional and organizational structure of government that allows it to carry out its purpose and function effectively, including the branches of government and legitimate bureaucratic institutions

What is the best type of

government?

I. Why did government develop?

A. During prehistoric times people

began to realize that they could not

survive without some way to

regulate conduct.

B. Anarchy- no government exists.

II. What is government?

What is government?

Is government necessary?

A. Functions of Government

1. to fulfill the purposes of government, governments create

systems of laws; functions of gov. are derived from the

purposes of government outlined in the Cons.

2. providing leadership

3. maintaining order

4. providing public services

5. providing national security

6. providing economic security & economic assistance

B. def.- An institution that makes

and enforces the rules.

C. Public policies- all the things

that a gov.'t decides to do

D. Legislative power- makes the

laws; frames public policy

E. executive power- enforce the

laws

A. New England Confederation

1. league that came together for defense

against Native Americans

B. Albany Plan of Union

1. delegates (representatives) from each of

the 13 colonies would meet to raise

military & naval forces, make war &

peace w/ Native Americans, regulate

trade with them, tax, & collect custom

duties

2. proposed by Ben Franklin

3. meets annually

Signing of the Constitution by: Howard Chandler Christy

C. Charter colonies

1. self-governing

2. given charter to operate

IV. Britain's Colonial Policies

E. Judicial power- interpret the laws

F. Constitution- supreme law; sets out principles of gov.

A. Controlled by GB 3,000 miles away

B. Power of the purse

C. Paid few taxes

D. Did not want the royal gov. meddling in

their local affairs

III. Characteristics of a State

V. Growing Colonial Unity

A. Population

B. Territory

C. Government

D. Sovereignty- to be supreme and absolute within your

own borders; make your own decisions; decide gov.'t.

D. Both hold elections

X. Foundations of American Democracy

VIII. Geographic Distribution of Power

IV. Theories of Government

C. Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau

1. leading social contract theorists

2. What ideas did the Social Contract Theory contribute to the

development of American government?

II. Landmark English Documents

5. no excessive bail

6. no cruel & unusual punishment

Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

3. Government's power comes from the

people

4. Government's power is limited by the

people.

VI. Purpose of government?

A. Unitary- the power given to the government is held by the

national/central gov't. Ex. England

B. Federal- the power given to the government is divided

between the national/central & state/regional gov'ts. Ex. US

C. Confederate- the individual states retain their sovereignty

giving limited powers to the national government. Ex. AOC,

CSA

A. Fundamental worth and dignity of the individual

B. Equality of all people

C. Majority rule with minority rights- the will of the

majority can never be used to deny the minority their

rights.

III. The English Colonies

A. To form a more perfect union

B. To establish justice

C. To insure domestic tranquility

D. To provide for the common defense

E. To promote the general welfare

F. To secure the blessing of liberty

A. Force- a person or group forced

control over an area

B. Evolutionary- states originated from

the family

C. Divine Right- right to rule comes from

God

D. Social Contract

1. The state exists to serve the people.

2. States are created by a free people.

A. Ordered government

1. need orderly regulation of their

relationships w/one another

2. still have sheriff, coroner, assessor, justice

of the peace, grand jury, counties, &

townships

B. Limited Gov.

1. government is not all powerful

2. idea planted in the land of England

C. Representative gov.

1. Gov. should serve the will of the people

2. people should have a voice in gov.

IX. Relationship b/w legislative & executive branches

V. Types of Government

A. Magna Carta

1. King John, Runnymede in 1215

2. trial by jury

3. due process of law

4. did away with absolute power

5. Parliament protected

B. The Petition of Right

1. further limted the king's power

2. no quartering of soldiers

3. no longer punish or imprison people w/o trial by jury of

peers/ law of land

4. no martial law during peacetime

C. English Bill of Rights

1. 1688 Glorious Revolution

2. free elections for Parliament

3. no standing army in peacetime (unless Parliament said so)

4. right to a fair trial

A. Royal colonies

1. direct control by the crown

2. controlled by governor

3. bicameral rule (2 house)

B. Proprietary Colonies

1. established with land grants

2. unicameral (1 house)

VII. Classification of government

I. Basic Concepts of Government

A. Dictatorship- gov. controlled by a

single person

B. Democracy- gov. by the people

A. Necessity of Compromise- merging differing viewpoints into

a generally acceptable plan.

B. Individual Rights and Freedoms are protected.

C. Parlimentary- the executive is chosen by the legislature, is

part of the legislature & must resign if he losses a major vote

in the legislature. (This includes the Cabinet). England.

D. Presidential- legislative & executive branches are separate

but equal. US

A. Based on the number of people who can participate

B. Democracy- the people (direct) or their representatives make the

decisions/policies. The government is accountable to the people.

C. Dictatorship- one person (autocracy) or a small group (oligarchy) rules.

There is no legislature to check the executive

Declaration of Independence by: John Trumball