principles of government magruder chapter one. government and the state section one
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Principles of Government
Magruder Chapter OneMagruder Chapter One
Government and the State
Section OneSection One
What is Government?
Government makes and enforces public Government makes and enforces public policies.policies.
Government consists of lawmakers, Government consists of lawmakers, administrators, and judges.administrators, and judges.
Four Characteristics of a State
PopulationPopulation A state consists of peopleA state consists of people Largest country – China – 1.3 billionLargest country – China – 1.3 billion Smallest country – Vatican – 800 peopleSmallest country – Vatican – 800 people
Four Characteristics of a State
TerritoryTerritory A state must have landA state must have land
Four Characteristics of a State
SovereigntySovereignty Sovereign states determine their own Sovereign states determine their own
form of governmentform of government
Four Characteristics of a State
GovernmentGovernment Government consists of the machinery Government consists of the machinery
and personnel by which the state is ruled.and personnel by which the state is ruled.
Origins of the State
The Force TheoryThe Force Theory A person or group forced control over an A person or group forced control over an
area and peoplearea and people
Origins of the State
The Evolutionary TheoryThe Evolutionary Theory States originated in the familyStates originated in the family
Origins of the State
The Divine Right TheoryThe Divine Right Theory God gave individuals or groups the right God gave individuals or groups the right
to ruleto rule
Origins of the State
The Social Contract TheoryThe Social Contract Theory People agreed to give up power to the People agreed to give up power to the
state in return for the state’s service to the state in return for the state’s service to the general well-being of the people.general well-being of the people.
The Purpose of Government
Found in the Preamble of the United States Found in the Preamble of the United States ConstitutionConstitution
To Form a More Perfect UnionTo Form a More Perfect Union In union there is strengthIn union there is strength
To Establish JusticeTo Establish Justice The law should be administered The law should be administered
reasonably, fairly, and impartiallyreasonably, fairly, and impartially
The Purpose of Government
To Insure Domestic TranquilityTo Insure Domestic Tranquility Without order, people would live in Without order, people would live in
anarchyanarchy Provide for the Common DefenseProvide for the Common Defense
The state’s security rests on wise defense The state’s security rests on wise defense and foreign policiesand foreign policies
The Purpose of Government
To Promote the General WelfareTo Promote the General Welfare The state has a responsibility to provide a The state has a responsibility to provide a
variety of public servicesvariety of public services To Secure the Blessings of LibertyTo Secure the Blessings of Liberty
Freedom is necessary for a democracyFreedom is necessary for a democracy
Forms of Government
Section TwoSection Two
Classifying Governments
No two governments are alikeNo two governments are alike Governments are classified in order to Governments are classified in order to
analyze themanalyze them
Geographic Distribution of Power
Unitary GovernmentUnitary Government Power is held in a single, central agencyPower is held in a single, central agency Can create lower levels of government Can create lower levels of government
and can remove them at any timeand can remove them at any time All final decisions are made by the All final decisions are made by the
central governmentcentral government Examples are Great Britain, France, ItalyExamples are Great Britain, France, Italy
Geographic Distribution of Power
Federal GovernmentFederal Government Powers are divided between a central Powers are divided between a central
agency and several local governmentsagency and several local governments Each state government is specifically Each state government is specifically
protected within a written constitutionprotected within a written constitution Both levels can make final decisionsBoth levels can make final decisions Examples are the US, Canada, GermanyExamples are the US, Canada, Germany
Geographic Distribution of Power
Confederate GovernmentConfederate Government The central government has limited The central government has limited
power with the most important authority power with the most important authority reserved for member statesreserved for member states
States control the vast majority of the States control the vast majority of the powerpower
Examples are the US under the Articles Examples are the US under the Articles and the Confederate States of Americaand the Confederate States of America
Legislature and Executive
Presidential GovernmentPresidential Government Executive and Legislative branches are Executive and Legislative branches are
independent and co-equalindependent and co-equal Cannot serve in both at the same timeCannot serve in both at the same time One cannot dissolve the otherOne cannot dissolve the other
Legislature and Executive
Parliamentary governmentParliamentary government Members of the Executive Branch are Members of the Executive Branch are
also members of the Legislative Branchalso members of the Legislative Branch One branch can remove the other if the One branch can remove the other if the
need arisesneed arises
Number Who Can Participate
DictatorshipDictatorship Participation in government is limited to Participation in government is limited to
the individual or group who rulesthe individual or group who rules Democracy Democracy
The people hold the power and give The people hold the power and give consent to the government to ruleconsent to the government to rule
Basic Concepts of Democracy
Section ThreeSection Three
The Five Basic Concepts
The Foundations of DemocracyThe Foundations of Democracy The fate of American democracy rests on The fate of American democracy rests on
the people’s acceptance of certain basic the people’s acceptance of certain basic concepts.concepts.
The acceptance of the basic concepts of The acceptance of the basic concepts of democracy presents Americans with democracy presents Americans with problems and challenges.problems and challenges.
The Five Basic Concepts
Fundamental Worth of the IndividualFundamental Worth of the Individual Democracy insists on the worth and Democracy insists on the worth and
dignity of all.dignity of all. Sometimes the welfare of one person Sometimes the welfare of one person
must be subordinated to the interests of must be subordinated to the interests of the many.the many.
The Five Basic Concepts
Equality of All PersonsEquality of All Persons Democracy insists on the equality of Democracy insists on the equality of
opportunity.opportunity. Democracy insists on equality before the Democracy insists on equality before the
law.law.
The Five Basic Concepts
Majority Rule and Minority RightsMajority Rule and Minority Rights Democracy argues that the majority will Democracy argues that the majority will
be right more often than wrong.be right more often than wrong. Democracy searches for satisfactory Democracy searches for satisfactory
solutions to public problems.solutions to public problems. The majority must recognize the right of The majority must recognize the right of
the minority to become the majority.the minority to become the majority.
The Five Basic Concepts
Necessity for CompromiseNecessity for Compromise Compromise allows citizens to make Compromise allows citizens to make
public decisions.public decisions. Compromise is not an end in itself but a Compromise is not an end in itself but a
means to reach a public goal.means to reach a public goal.
The Five Basic Concepts
Individual FreedomIndividual Freedom Freedom cannot be absolute, or anarchy Freedom cannot be absolute, or anarchy
will result.will result. American democracy strives to strike a American democracy strives to strike a
balance between liberty and authority.balance between liberty and authority.