(American Government) Chapter 1: Principles of Government, Section 1: Government and the State

Government

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

What does a government consist of?

It is made up of people who exercise powers and have authority over and control over people.

Why is a government necessary?

To avoid war among citizens.

Public policies

Things government decides to do.

(Examples include taxation, defense, education, crime, health care, etc.)

What are the three types of powers exercised by the government?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

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.

Constitution

The body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and processes of a government.

Dictatorship

The exercise of power held by a person or small group of people in the form of government.

Democracy

When the responsibility for the exercise of powers rests with a majority of people in the form of government.

Who has supreme authority in a democracy?

The people (citizens).

Politics

The process by which a society decides how power and resources will be distributed within that society.

State

A group of people living in an area with a government that can make laws themselves without permission from anybody else, including higher authority.

How many states are there in the world?

190.

How are states different?

They vary greatly in size, military power, natural resources, and economic importance.

What are the four characteristics of a state?

1. Population.

2. Territory.

3. Sovereignty.

4. Government.

(Personal tip: Memorize "PTSG" so you at least remember what the letters of the four characteristics start with.)

What is a state also referred to as in popular usage?

"Nation" or "country."

Nation

An ethnic term and refers to races or other large groups of people.

Country

A geographic term, referring to a particular place, region, or area of land.

What are the top two most populous states?

China (has a population of over 1.3 billion people--- one fifth of the world's population), followed by India.

What is the third most populous state?

The United States (has a population of over 300 million people).

Homogenous

A term used to describe members of a group who share customs, a common language, and ethnic background.

Why must a state have land (territory)?

A state needs citizens to govern and a specific area where its government operates. Without people, there would be no society to rule, and without land, there would be no place for the government to function.

What does every state have in common?

They are sovereign---a characteristic that distinguishes the states from others.

Are the states within the United States sovereign?

No, because they still have to follow federal laws.

Federal laws

Laws made by the nation government of the United States that apply to all citizens, no matter what state you live in.

What happens to society without a government?

There will be no authority to exist to protect one person from others, thus, individuals could only protect themselves.

How did humans first develop a state?

They agreed with each other to create a state with a contract where people within a given area agreed to give up the state in return for power, since it was needed to promote people's safety and well-being.

Social contract theory

The idea that people agree to form a society and follow laws in exchange for protection and order.

What is the difference between a government and state?

A government is the group of people in charge of running the country, while a state is the whole country, including its land and people.

Who holds power in a dictatorship?

A dictator.

What is the purpose of a constitution?

To establish laws and principles for the government.

Why aren't individual cities and towns sovereign?

It could lead to conflicting laws and create chaos. A unified government ensures fairness and consistency across the country.

Preamble

The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution that outlines its purposes.

What does the Preamble say?

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

According to the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, what are the main purposes of the government?

1. To form a more perfect union.

2. To establish justice.

3. To insure domestic tranquility.

4. To provide for the common defense.

5. To promote the general welfare.

6. To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

What are the four theories on the origin of state?

1. Force Theory.

2. Evolutionary Theory.

3. Divine Right Theory.

4. Social Contract Theory.

Force Theory

A person or small group took control of an area and forced others to submit.

(Example: Conquest of a territory.)

Evolutionary Theory

The state evolved naturally from the early family structure.

(Example: The development of clans into tribes.)

Divine Right Theory

God created the state and granted royal birthrights to rule.

(Example: Monarchies claiming rule by divine decree.)

Social Contract Theory

The state arose from a voluntary agreement among free people.

(Example: The founding of the United States through the Constitution.)