politics 2/9

Constitution

the framework used to highlight these laws, structures, and principles.

Republic

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Legislative

Congress - House and Senate

Executive

President

Judicial

Courts

Government

makes policies, exercise power, enforce laws

Politics

process of gaining and exercising within government

The State (Characteristics)

Population, Territory (Boundaries), Sovereignty (in charge of its own affairs), Government (Political Organization)

The State (Origin)

Force Theory - Based on control

Evolutionary Theory - Paleolithic/Neolithic

Divine Right Theory - God Granted (Europe, asia, africa, western hemisphere)

Social Contract Theory - Enlightenment (consent of the governed...Mayflower compact)

The State (Objectives)

1. Form a More Perfect Union

2. Establish Justice

3. Insure Domestic Tranquility

4. Provide for the Common Defense

5. Promote General Welfare

6. Secure the Blessings of Liberty

The State (Definition)

difference between Nation or Country

Unitary

all power is held by a single central agency. centra; authority gives power to local governments

Confederate

centra; alliance that handles only what the state gives it. central government has limited powers. in this system, states cooperate but remain independent of each other.

Federal

federalism, division of powers, delegated, reserved, concurrent powers

Presidential

Separate independent branches that use a system of Checks & Balances

Parliamentary

Prime Minister and Cabinet are also members of the Legislative Branch. The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party.

Democracy

Of, by, and for the people

Direct or pure democracy

indirect or representative democracy

Dictatorship

Authoritarian / Totalitarian

Autocracy - single person

Oligarchy - small elite group

Monarchy - king/queen

Elitism

small group of political and economic elites control the government

Business, military, and political elites control

Wealth is used to direct political/economic matters and allocate resources

Presidents and Congress - socioeconomic status

Pluralism

power rests with competing interest groups

multiple access points to engage the government

power is distributed

interest groups pressure politicians

tradeoffs

public policy and government action is a compromise

gun control and background checks

Worth of the individual

Separate and distinct being with dignity and worth.

Welfare of the few is subordinate to the interests of the many.

Equality of All Persons

Equality of opportunity.

Equality before the law.

Majority rule, Minority Rights

- Majority of people will be right more often than wrong.

- Process of Trial & error

- look for satisfactory solutions to public problems.

- The majority must always respect the rights of the minority and allow it to become the majority.

Necessity of Compromise

- Public decision making is give-and-take.

- Need to blend and adjust to competing interests.

Individual Freedom

- Freedom is not absolute.

- Balance between liberty and authority.

- "the right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins."

Democratic Government's Reasons

- Decline in social capital

- Impersonal; individual attention

- Lack of networking