American Government
and Politics
Introduction
Who is the government?
And what should
“they” do?
Defining Government
 The Merriam-Webster Dictionary offers three
definitions of government:
 1. 'the group of people who control and make decisions
for a country, state, etc.'
 2. 'a particular system used for controlling a country,
state, etc.'
 3. 'the process or manner of controlling a country,
state, etc.'
Defining Government
 Black's Law Dictionary mentions that the institutions of
the government 'regulate the relationships among
members of a society and between the society and
outsiders' and that they 'have the authority to make
decisions for the society' to meet goals and maintain
order.
 Government is responsible primarily for making public
policy for an entire society ~ a steering mechanism for a
given society
Government
 whether we refer to the system or
institutions in operation, the group of
people in charge, or the process in use,
(Government) is the authority that sets
rules for a society, helps its members
relate to one another and to others, and
keeps it running smoothly, securely, and
peacefully.
Descriptions of governments can be
based on:
Economic Structures
Political Structures
The type of economy what provides the
goods and services
that are bought, sold,
and used?
How the government
is run- how the
leaders are selected,
and how power is
transferred
Economic Structures
Type
Capitalism
Socialism
Communism
Definition
In a capitalist or free-market economy,
people own their own businesses and
property and must buy services for private
use, such as healthcare.
Socialist governments own many of the
larger industries and provide education,
health and welfare services while allowing
citizens some economic choices
In a communist country, the government
owns all businesses and farms and provides
its people's healthcare, education and
welfare.
Example
Political Structures
Type
Definition
Democracy
In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote - which is a majority
of the population - has a chance to have their say over who runs the country.
Republic
A government where people choose other people to make decisions for us.
Communism
A government where people are all "equal".
Oligarchy
A government where decisions are made by a group known as the "elite" (intelligence/race/money).
Theocracy
A government where laws are made by god, but interpreted by a religious figure
Fascism
A government where the nation comes before the individual. Most of the power is focused on the government,
and usually one leader. Strict laws and punishments exist to keep.
Totalitarian
Dictatorship
Rule by a single political party.
People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from leaving the country.
Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship,
the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights.
Example
The purpose of the U.S. Government is
found in the Constitution's preamble.

1. 'To form a more perfect Union'
2. 'To establish Justice'
3. 'To insure domestic Tranquility'
4. 'To provide for the common defense'
5. 'To promote the general Welfare'
6. 'To secure the Blessings of Liberty'
 “Many forms of Government have been tried, and will
be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends
that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has
been said that democracy is the worst form of
Government except all those others that have been.”
 —Winston Churchill
American Core Values as
Identified in the Constitution
1. Popular sovereignty,
2. Limited government,
3. Separation of powers
4. Checks and balances,
5. Federalism
The Ideal Democratic Process Should
Satisfy 5 key principals
1. Equality in voting
2. Effective participation
3. Enlightened understanding
4. Citizen control of the Agenda
5. Inclusion
Assignment
Research your concept
Define / Explain the concept
Provide real world examples of
the concept
Create a power point to present
the concept