1 Introduction to Government

Understanding dates related to key historical figures and events is essential for contextualizing their significance.
- Example:
- Birth and death dates of Thomas Hobbes
- Publication of his major work, Leviathan (1651)
The speaker admits difficulty in remembering specific dates but emphasizes the importance of roughly knowing historical timelines.
- For understanding the evolution of American national government, knowing approximate dates is more crucial than precise dates.

Misplacing figures, like Hobbes, in the timeline could lead to significant misunderstandings of historical events, such as the American Revolution.
Example:
- If Hobbes were incorrectly placed in the 1800s, it would skew understanding of his influence on political thought.
There are instances when knowing precise dates is critical, such as distinguishing between different Civil Rights Acts in U.S. history (1964 vs 1875).

Hobbes is an English philosopher known primarily for his work on social contract theory.
Leviathan addresses the necessity of government in maintaining order, starting with the concept of a state of nature.

Defined as a condition without government where individuals function solely based on their own power and intelligence.
Hobbes describes this primitive existence using the phrase:
- "Every man is enemy to every man."
Conditions in the state of nature include:
- Lack of security
- Absence of knowledge or time
- No art, letters, or structured society
- Resulting in continual fear, danger, and violent death
Hobbes concludes that life in this state is:
- "Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

Hobbes wrote during the English Civil War, a period characterized by instability and lack of government authority.
His views are shaped by the chaotic circumstances surrounding him, highlighting the necessity for social order.

Government is defined as the institutions through which public policies are made for society.
- Public policies encompass rules, laws, and guidelines supporting the societal order.
Basic functions of any government include the following:
- Maintaining Order:
- First and oldest task; if order is not maintained, no further functions can occur.
- Protects life and property through criminal and civil laws.
- National Defense:
- Focus on protecting a nation’s sovereignty from external threats.
- Strategic spending on defense varies across countries; for instance, Saudi Arabia allocates 6.6% of GDP to defense, while Japan spends only 1.1%.
- Supplying Public Goods:
- Public goods are services provided by the government that are not exclusive to individuals.
- Examples of public goods include infrastructure (e.g., roads), education, and emergency services.
- Socialization:
- Governments educate young citizens about governance and instill civic values, as seen in pledges of allegiance in schools.
- Taxation:
- All governments tax citizens and businesses to finance operations, with rates and methods varying widely.

In the U.S., a key principle is that government should govern least, as articulated by Thomas Jefferson.
Limited government implies that certain aspects of individuals' lives should remain untouched by governmental authority.
This principle is contrasted with government functions, distinguishing between authoritarian rule and democratic limitation.
James Madison's Perspective:
- Quote emphasizing the duality of government control:
- "You must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next place, obliged to control itself."
Limited government ties into the idea of classical liberalism focusing on individual rights and freedoms.

Focus on Individuals:
- Recognizes that individuals hold rights merely by being human.
Natural Rights:
- Each person possesses inherent rights from birth.
Social Contract:
- An agreement among individuals to form a government that protects their rights while limiting its own power.

The bourgeoisie in 17th-century Europe begin to advocate for the limitation of absolute monarchs’ powers through parliament.
John Locke's Contribution:
- In contrast to Hobbes, Locke argues for limited government which retains some rights for individuals, including the right to revolution against oppressive government.
- Locke's version provides a foundation for the U.S. government reflecting principles of limited government and respect for individual rights.
Discussion on political change leading to modern governance illustrates the evolution from monarchic power to democratic ideals.