Why Government?

American Government Study Guide

Thomas Hobbes

An English scholar and philosopher, born in 1588, from a wealthy family, had access to books, traveled often, met important thinkers, and tried to answer the question “why do we have a government.”

State of Nature

Everyone has a right to everything, war with everyone else, stealing, and fear.

Social Contract

Between people and their government, an agreement in which both sides agree to something in order to reach a shared goal.

Sovereign

Means having the highest power or authority, especially over a country or territory. It can also refer to a ruler like a king or queen. (Independent and in control)

Sovereignty

Means the full right and power of a country or ruler to govern itself without outside control. (Self-rule and independence)

Monarchy

It is a system of government where one person—usually a monarch, such as a king or queen—rules the country, often for life and by birthright. (Rule by a royal leader)

Democracy

Is a system of government where people have the power to make decisions, usually by voting. (Rule by the people.)

John Locke

Considered being a minister, career as a doctor, ended up as a philosopher. Born in 1632, influenced Thomas Jeferson with his writings which made Thomas make the declaration of independence, Locke’s ideas show up in our own constitution.

Tabula Rasa

A blank slate or page gets filled up with a person’s experiences with the five senses, people learn and develop differently because they are exposed to different things.

Natural Rights

That human beings share; The right to life, liberty, and property.

Life

Refers to the fact that people want to live and will fight to survive.

Liberty

Means that people want to be as free as possible to make their own decisions.

Property

Represents the fact that people want to own things that help them survive. (Land, food, and tools.)

Purpose of Government

The need for distribution of power in a society. End the state of nature and give people certain protections. (Safety and happiness; Safety/Security/Protection)

What is Government?

Formal structure and institution through decisions are made for the people.

Government Component: People

Govt- elected and civil servants

Government Component: Power

Govt. ability to get things done

Government Component: Power (Types Of Power)

1. Make laws

2. Enforce Laws

3. Judge laws (constitutionally)

Government Component: Policy

Decisions made by government to achieve a particular goal.

Definition of a State

Political unit with the power to make and enforce laws over a group of people living within a defined territory.

Characteristics of a State

1. Population - people

2. Territory - defined

3. Govt. - organized

4. Sovereignty - power to make and enforce laws.

Forgottonia

Represented a protest against the unfairness in state and federal funding of infrastructure communications and economic development in the region after World War 2.

Neil Gamm

Was the symbolic “Governor” of Forgottonia, a satirical protest movement in 1970s Illinois.

Fandom

Is the capital of the fictional Republic of Forgottonia.

Functions of the Government

1. Order/Security

2. Resolving conflict

3. Services (taxes)

4. Providing for the public good