Introduction

Force Theory

One person or group claimed control over land and the people were forced to submit to the rule of this person/group

Evolutionary Theory

Started with a head of family, then grew to a clan, then became more organized when farming started

Divine Right Theory

God created the state and gave those of royal birth the “Divine Right” to rule, absolute vs constitutional monarchy

Social Contract Theory

Humans created government because they were tired of this “unpleasant condition” and agreed to give up some power to the government in exchange for safety

Democracy

Rule by the people

Problems caused by direct democracy

Deciding who is able to vote

Representative democracy

All citizens have the right to vote

A republican solves the problems brought on by a direct democracy by…

Voting for representatives

Autocracy

One person has unlimited power

Absolute monarchy, dictatorship, authoritarian regime, totalitarian state

Led by one person

Coup d’état

Blow of state

Why would a dictator hold fake elections

Give themselves the appearance of democracy

Monarchy

Power is held by a single person based on birth

Difference between an absolute and constitutional monarchy

Absolute is unlimited power and constitutional is limited by a constitution

How is the Divine Right of Kings difference from a theocracy

Divine right believes god made them the rule while theocracy is the government rules by religious leaders

How might a monarchy come to an end

When they don’t leave behind a clear heir, war, revolution

Oligarchy

Rule of few who are richer/more powerful

Magna Carta

Limits powers of the king

Iron law of oligarchy

States all forms of organizations will eventually develop oligarchic tendencies

Socialism

Economic system where the government takes an active role in the economy

Socialism now

Economic system based on a mix of things

Communism

Society with no social classes and properties owned by the community

State

Body of people living in a defined territory with a government

Nation

Ethnic term: large group of people

Country

Geographic term: particular place, region or area of land

4 characteristics of a State

People, territory, sovereignty, government

What is government

The individuals and institutions that make society’s rules and possess the power and authority to enforce those rules

Politics

The process of resolving conflicts over how society should use its scarce resources and who should receive various benefits, such as public heath care and public higher education

Purposes of government

To form a more perfect union, guarantee civil rights and liberties, promote general welfare of citizens, establish justice (law must be fair and reasonable), ensure domestic tranquility (police, laws), provide for the common defense against outside attack

Legislative

Law making (US congress, state legislatures)

Executive

Law enforcing (US president, governor)

Judicial

Law interpreting (Courts)