Foundations of American Government

Government

Institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people.

Nation

Sizable group of people, united by bonds of race, language, customs/traditions, religion.

State/Country

Political community that occupies a definite territory, has an organized government, and possesses sovereignty.

Sovereignty

Supreme power within its own territory.

Evolutionary Theory

Concept that the head of a family is the head of the state.

Force Theory

Idea that the state is created by force.

Divine Right Theory

Belief that gods or God choose a ruler.

Social Contract Theory

Theory that people have a "contract" with the government.

Unitary

System where central/national government holds all key powers.

Confederacy

A loose union of independent states.

Federal Power

Power divided between national, state, and local governments.

Authoritarian/Totalitarian

Government that controls all political, economic, and social lives of its citizens.

Dictatorship

Form of government where one person has control.

Oligarchy

Form of government where a small group has control.

Monarchy

Form of government where a king, queen, or emperor rules.

Democracy

System of government ruled by the people, either directly or indirectly.

What are the functions of the government?

• Providing leadership

• Maintaining order

• Providing public services

• Providing national services

• Providing economic security/assistance

Hobbes’ beliefs:

People surrender freedom to the state, in return they receive order & security

Locke’s beliefs:

People had natural rights; government protects those rights or people can/should rebel

Principles of Democracy

• Citizen participation

• Free & fair elections

• Accepting the election results

• The Rule of Law

• Majority rule with minority rights

• Accountability

• Transparency

• Limited government & a Bill of Rights

• Control of abuse of power

• Economic freedom

• Equality

• Individual rights

• Independent judiciary

• Competing political parties