Gov Basics Study 9/27 ISS

%%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

ā€œ==The State==ā€ :: 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

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

==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)

==Origin - Divine Right Theory== :: power is given by God to a person on earth, God is responsible for the creation of the state (theocracy)

==Origin - Social Contract Theory== :: Government represents free will of people. (democracy)

==The Social Contract== :: Agreement where people give up some free will in return for protection from government. Government can not be a theocracy, monarchy, or dictatorship. If the people are unhappy with the existing government, there will be a peaceful transition of power. (democracy)

Hobbes’ work :: Leviathan, 1651

Locke’s work :: Two Treatises of Government, 1689

Rousseau’s work :: The Social Contract, 1762

Thomas Hobbes :: Believed humans in a ā€œstate of natureā€ would behave badly towards each other. Any person has a natural right to do anything to preserve their own liberty or safety. War is not in man’s best interest, and man has a self-interested, materialistic desire to end war and enter a social contract. There is no natural morality, and government should show power and punish lawbreakers. Dictatorship.

John Locke :: Humans in ā€œstate of natureā€ were selfish but human nature is characterized by reason and tolerance. In anarchy, people are independent and equal, and none have the right to harm any others ā€œlife, health, liberty, or possessionsā€. If all are naturally equal, those rights are unprotected. Once a government is established, all must agree to the government. Otherwise, the government will collapse. Parliamentary system.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau :: Men are ā€œnoble savagesā€, and our bad habits are the products of corrupting forces in society. He is critical of: social hierarchy, property, and markets. Says hierarchies doesn’t work with equality. Believes humans are cooperative and the state should promote the ā€œGeneral Willā€. People should be asked what they want, as voting is part of a democracy. Parliamentary or presidential system.

^^Unitary^^ :: all powers belong to one body. Local governments are subject to central government an their powers are devolved by the central government. Not necessarily totalitarian or dictatorship. %%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. Power divided between central and local. Both are controlled by a superior government, like a constitution. Both levels act directly on the people through their own sets of laws, officials, and agencies. %%Pros: local issues met, not ignored.%% ==Cons: does not promote national unity as much, could create regionalism. Could be disputes over who actually has power over certain things, central or local??==

^^Confederate^^ :: An alliance of independent states, where the ā€œcentralā€ government only has powers which member states assign it. Generally the member states reunite for trade and war. Members act independently on state matters but function as a group when common concerns arise. %%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^^ :: executive’s term is limited, and there is separation of power. The exec and leg branches are voted for separately. The two branches have divided powers as well.

^^Parliamentary^^ :: Exec branch has Prime Minister, who is chosen from the legislative branch. PM is an MP. PM selected by and subject to parliament. Can call snap elections.

^^Dictatorship^^ :: Rule by minority. Seeks absolute political power, government is not accountable for it’s policies, and often militaristic and gains power by force.

^^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)

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