Chapter 1: Government and the Public Good

The Meaning/Importance of Government

The government is an institution with the power to make and enforce rules for a group of people.

  • It creates and enforces laws to protect and promote the public good.

Levels of Government:

  • Local

  • State

  • Federal / International

4 Functions of Government

  • Maintaining Order: Resolving conflict.

  • Providing Services

  • Resolving Conflict

  • Promoting Values

How it maintains order:

  • By enforcing laws that protect the safety and security of the people and their property.

  • Also to protect from unfair or harmful business practices.

  • Protect from foreign invasion.

Functions of Government

  • Providing Services: Government provides services that people cannot easily provide on their own.

    • Examples: Highways, schools, welfare programs, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

      • Resolving Conflict: This involves the application of the law.

      • The government helps resolve conflict by bringing people together to reach common goals through compromise.

        • Examples: Peace conferences, treaties, alliances, defense, trade, and military involvement.

          • Promoting Values: All previous functions contribute to the promotion of common values.

          • What do we value in the US? Education, public safety, cultural heritage, quality of life, individual freedom, and food quality.

          • Values Defined: Basic principles by which people act and live their lives.

Purpose of the State

A. Early Philosophers

  • Divine Right: Rulers receive their authority to govern from God.

B. Thomas Hobbes

  • Social Contract: Government is created by a social contract.

  • Sovereignty: Citizens give up some of their individual sovereignty (rights/freedoms) to the state in exchange for peace and order.

C. John Locke

  • Consent of the Governed: Power of the government comes from the people governed.

  • Role of Government: To protect people’s natural rights (life, liberty, property).

  • Right to Rebel: Citizens have the right to rebel if the government fails to protect these natural rights.

Section 2: Forms of Government

Differences Among Systems

  • Monarchy: Power is based on inheritance.

  • Dictatorship: Control is in the hands of a single person or small group.

  • Republic: Representatives are chosen by the people.

Three Types of Government Systems

  • Unitary: All legal power is held by the central government.

  • Federal: Legal powers are shared among national, state, and local governments (it can feel "disproportionate" but is intended to be equal).

  • Confederal: Independent states join together to accomplish common goals without a central government.

Section 3: Foundations of Democracy

Major Benefits of Democracy

  • Allowing Choice: Allows people to take responsibility for their actions.

  • Responsibility: Requires knowledge of issues, politics, and candidates (e.g., choosing to develop or preserve a canyon).

  • Recognizing Individual Worth: Participating in the democratic/voting process gives us value because everyone has something to offer society.

  • Promoting Respect for the Law: Participation leads to more respect for the laws in place.

    • Note: Lack of respect for laws results in Anarchy.

      • Protecting Minority Rights: * Majority Rule: Decisions based on the desire of more than half the group.

      • Minority Rights: Rights that cannot be overstepped or abolished, even if the majority disagrees (e.g., freedom of worship, unpopular opinions).

      • Promoting the Public Good: Broad participation ensures decisions are made for "all of us" rather than a select few.