Political Systems
Foundations of Government
Why Do We Need Governments?
Governments make and enforce laws
Governments provide services
Governments set goals
Governments preserve culture
Governments Rule Over States
STATE (def.) -- a political community that occupies a defined territory and has a government.
NATION (def.) -- large group of people band together by, language, custom, religion, etc.
NATION-STATE (def.) -- people bound together inside a territory
4 Characteristics of a STATE
Population -- people who share basic beliefs
Territory -- established boundaries
Sovereignty -- authority within the territory
Government -- attempts to maintain social order
How did the State Originate?
Force Theory
Evolution Theory
Divine Right Theory
Social Contract Theory
Thomas Hobbs
John Locke -- Life, Liberty and Property
Two Treaties of Government
Different Types of Government
Who May Participate?
Autocracy -- rule by the one
Dictatorship -- One person or small group of people hold power
Totalitarian -- Total control
Monarchy -- One person rules
Types of Monarchy
Absolute Monarchy (Total Power)
Constitutional Monarchy (Elected)
Oligarchy -- rule by a few
China
Former Soviet Union
Democracy -- Rule by the many
Types of Democracy
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy
Republic
Constitutional Republic
Economic Systems
Capitalism -- most means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned by private citizens.
Also know as -- Free Enterprise System
Laissez Faire
Socialism -- Government owns and controls certain basic industries
Communism - (In Practice) Production, distribution, and exchange are controlled by society as a whole.
Friedrich Engels
Karl Marx
Communist Manifesto
Das Kapital
Proletariat (workers)
Bourgeoisie (owners)
Today, the US has:
Mixed Economy (aks) Mixed Market Economy
Concepts of Democracy
Fundamental Worth of the people
Equality of All Persons
Majority Rule and Minority Rights
Necessity of Compromise
Individual Freedom
Problem:
Individualism vs. Public Welfare
OR
Business Owner vs. Worker
Right to runs his factory as he pleases vs. right to unionize
Capitalism
Laissez Faire
Mixed Economy
The American Dream
What is the American Dream?
Forces that shape the lives of Americans
Americans live in a democracy
Americans are molded by their past
Americans are influenced by the age in which we live
Americans HOPE for the future
If a democracy is going to work -- The people must be involved
How do Americans make Democracy work?
Acquire and use information
Decide which issues are important
Consider the alternatives of the issues
Make a sound judgement
Communicate your decision
Cooperate and Compromise
Promote your own Interest
