Foundations of Government & Citizenship

Government

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies

Public Policies

all the things a government decides to do; taxation, defense, education, etc.

Legislative Power

the power to make a law and to frame public policies

Executive Power

the power to execute, enforce, and administer law

Judicial Power

the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society

Dictatorship

A government controlled by one person or a small group of people

Democracy

government by the people

to ensure 1 branch didn't get too much power

Why did Framers separate powers?

Population, Territory, Sovereignty, & Government

What makes a state?

Force Theory

Government emerged when all the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group.

Evolutionary Theory

States emerged from early families and then grew into larger groups of families.

Divine Right of Kings Theory

held that God created the state and that God had given those of royal birth a "divine right" to rule

Social Contract Theory

A voluntary agreement between the government and the governed. Most important for the U.S. government!

Social Contract

What ideas did the D.O.I. use?

King Henry the 3rd

Who broke the agreement by violating their citizens rights?

"pure Locke" because of John Locke's ideas.

What did Thomas Jefferson call the D.O.I.?

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property/ the pursuit of happiness

The people

Who holds the sovereign power in a Democracy?

Everyone themselves

Who can participate in a direct democracy?

Some who was voted on by the majority of the people.

Who can participate in a indirect democracy?

Anyone who can vote

Who can participate in a republic?

The single leader

Who can participate in an autocracy dictatorship?

A few people/ small group

Who can participate in an oligarchy dictatorship?

Totalitarian; the leader has complete power over their citizens lives.

What is the most common modern dictatorship & what makes it special?

1 main leader (pope); When the government is ran by religion.

Who can participate in a theocracy & what is it?

Centralized government

A unitary government in which power is concentrated in a central authority to which local governments are subject

Federal Government

A form of government in which powers are divided between a central government and several local governments.

Presidential Government

a form of government in which the executive and legislative branches of the government are separate, independent, and coequal

Parliamentary Government

the prime minister & cabinet are themselves of the legislative branch, the parliament

Athenian Democracy

a pure form of democracy, in which all adult citizens vote directly on matters affecting the community

Athens

Who created democracy?

Roman Republic

Government was centered in the Senate; 300 people in two consoles chosen by Senate. Senators elected by the citizenry.

Romans

Who created the Republic?

Feudalism

A loosely organized system in which powerful Lords divided their lands amongst other lesser Lords

Lord, vassal, serf/peasant

What are the three tiers under feudalism?

Black Plague; vast population decrease, prices of foods & crops feel, & lords made less $ on their land.

What ended feudalism and how?

After the plague, lords needed $, so they let free people set up towns on their lands for a fee under a charter.

How did towns emerge?

Rulers centralized power, established national governments, legal systems, & identities, & most importantly, national taxes

How did lords turn into monarchs?

Tradition & popular support

What are the 2 forms of legitimacy?

Legitimacy

When the people believe the government has the right to rule

Colonialism

the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.

Niccolo Machiavelli

(1469-1527) Wrote The Prince which contained a secular method of ruling a country. "End justifies the means."

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Hobbes

He wrote that humans in a natural state of chaos and constant war must give up their absolute freedom to a supreme ruler. In exchange for this surrendered freedom, the ruler provides peace, safety, and social order.

Voltaire

Advocated reason, freedom of religion, scientific observation importance, & The idea of human progress

Montesquieu

French political philosopher who advocated the separation of executive and legislative and judicial powers (1689-1755)

William Blackstone

created the idea of checks and balances (common law)

• People vote for their leaders.

• Everyone is supposed to be treated equally under the law.

• People have rights and freedoms, like freedom of speech and religion.

• Government power is limited by the Constitution.

• Leaders can be replaced through elections.

• The majority makes decisions, while the rights of minorities are protected.

American concept of democracy

being well informed about civic affairs, serving in the military, voting, serving on a jury, observing the laws, paying taxes, and serving the public good

Responsibilities, duties, and obligations of citizenship