Unit 1 Foundations of American Gov't Part 1 Notes

Gov't

___is an institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people under its control.

Functions of Gov't

Providing Leadership, Maintaining Order,Providing Public Services, Providing National Security, Provides Economic Security and Assistance

nation

is a group of people united by race, language, custom, tradition, or religion.

state or country

is a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government.

Sovereignty

The right to enforce laws without approval from any other authority

Origins of the State Theories

Evolutionary, Force, Divine Right, Social Contract

EvolutionaryTheory-Origins of the State Theory

some scholars believe the notion of the state evolved from the family. The heads of ancient families served as the authority over the group.

Force Theory-Origins of the State Theory

states emerged when one person or a small group took control of an area and forced all within it to submit to their rule (Dictators are an example of this)

Divine Right Theory-Origins of the State Theory

is the idea that certain people are chosen by a god/gods to rule.

Social Contract Theory-Origins of the State Theory

is the belief that states exist to protect and serve their country. Without a state or government people would live in a "state of nature" where there would be chaos. Also that people had natural rights and the social contract was made between the people and a government that promised to preserve these rights.

Systems of Gov't

Unitary Confederation and Federal

Unitary System of Govt

system of government gives all key powers to the central government. This does not mean that only one level of government exists, but rather only powers that the states or local government have are those expressly given to them by the central government.

Federal System of Gov't

system of government divides the powers of the government between the national and state government. Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas.

Confederate System of Gov't

A loose union of independent and sovereign states.

Major Types of Gov't

Authoritarian, Totalitarian, Dictatorship, Oligarchy, Monarchy, Democracy

Constitutions serve several purposes:

1) Sets out ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe in and share 2) Establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government's powers/duties 3) Provides the supreme law for the country

Authoritarian Gov't

Governments that control all mostly all of a citizen's economic, political, and social lives are called authoritarian. An authoritarian state is characterized by a strong central government that allows people a limited degree of political freedom.

Totalitarian Gov't

is an extreme version of authoritarianism. A totalitarian government is a system in which the government has total control.

Dictatorship/Autocracy Gov't

governments can be further divided according to how many people have power. In a dictatorship, power is at the hands of one person and that ruler has total control.

Oligarchy Gov't

Authoritarian and Totalitarian governments can be further divided according to how many people have power. A government that gives power to only a few people or a political party is called an oligarchy. Oligarchs derive their power from their wealth, social position, military power, or a combination of these factors.

Monarchy Gov't

is a form of government in which one person has great power (such as a king, queen, emperor, etc.); they inherit the throne and head the state.

Democracy Gov't

is a system of government in which rule is by the people, either through representatives or directly.