Gov Basics Study 9/27 ISS

Thomas Hobbes

________:: Believed humans in a "state of nature "would behave badly towards each other.

John Locke

________:: Humans in "state of nature "were selfish but human nature is characterized by reason and tolerance.

Totalitarian

________:: wishes to control every aspect of citizens lives.

Public Policy

________:: a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of actions, and funding priorities concerning a given topic publicized by a governmental entity or its representatives.

Oligarchy

________:: a small elite, self- appointed group controls all.

Any person

________ has a natural right to do anything to preserve their own liberty or safety.

Cons

________: local issues not met, or could be ignored.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

________:: Men are "noble savages, "and our bad habits are the products of corrupting forces in society.

Confederate

________:: An alliance of independent states, where the "central "government only has powers which member states assign it.

Origin

________- Force Theory:: person or people takes over are through military intervention (dicatorship)

Social Contract

The ________:: Agreement where people give up some free will in return for protection from government.

natural morality

There is no ________, and government should show power and punish lawbreakers.

Presidential

________:: executives term is limited, and there is separation of power.

Government

________ can not be a theocracy, monarchy, or dictatorship.

Pros

________: power would never be consolidated into one central body, makes alliances for war and trade easier.

materialistic desire

War is not in mans best interest, and man has a self- interested, ________ to end war and enter a social contract.

political freedom

Authoritarian:: wishes to control all ________.

Exec branch

Parliamentary:: ________ has Prime Minister, who is chosen from the legislative branch.

Social Contract Theory

Origin- ________:: Government represents free will of people.

Origin

________- Evolutionary Theory:: states are developed out of a basic family unit; family networks are created and head of family is also head of state (monarchy)

Pros

________: government is less expensive to run and there is national unity.

Anarchy

A society lacking government

State of Nature

Hypothetical anarchic society without government

Purpose of Government

provide protection, create order, and provide for its citizens

Characteristics of State

population, territory, sovereignty, government

"The State"

a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and having the power to make and enforce laws, without needing the consent of higher authority

Public Policy

a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of actions, and funding priorities concerning a given topic publicized by a governmental entity or its representatives

The Social Contract

Agreement where people give up some free will in return for protection from government

Hobbes work

Leviathan, 1651

Lockes work

Two Treatises of Government, 1689

Rousseaus work

The Social Contract, 1762

Thomas Hobbes

Believed humans in a "state of nature" would behave badly towards each other

John Locke

Humans in "state of nature" were selfish but human nature is characterized by reason and tolerance

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Men are "noble savages", and our bad habits are the products of corrupting forces in society

He is critical of

social hierarchy, property, and markets

Unitary

all powers belong to one body

Pros

government is less expensive to run and there is national unity

Cons

local issues not met, or could be ignored

Federal

Good for large landmass countries and ethnically diverse countries

Pros

local issues met, not ignored

Cons

does not promote national unity as much, could create regionalism

Confederate

An alliance of independent states, where the "central" government only has powers which member states assign it

Pros

power would never be consolidated into one central body, makes alliances for war and trade easier

Cons

central government is very weak and unstable

Presidential

executives term is limited, and there is separation of power

Parliamentary

Exec branch has Prime Minister, who is chosen from the legislative branch

Dictatorship

Rule by minority

Autocracy

One person controls all in a dictatorship

Oligarchy

a small elite, self-appointed group controls all

Authoritarian

wishes to control all political freedom

Totalitarian

wishes to control every aspect of citizens lives

Influences on Government

History and past experiences; demographics, culture, ideologies and social values; geography (physical and political)