Unit 1: Power, Politics, and Government
What makes America?
(How do you know you’re in America?)
What defines a country?
A political community united by common
bonds that occupies a definite territory and
has organized government that can make
and enforce laws without approval from any
higher authority.
1. Population
Every country needs citizens!
These citizens may be united by race, language,
custom, tradition, religion, or a combination of these
factors
How does a population affect the stability of a state?
2. Territory
Established boundaries
How can territories be determined?
War
Negotiations
Purchase
3. Sovereignty
The state must have supreme authority within the
state
The state must be independent, power to make
laws, and be able to shape foreign policy.
No state has the right to interfere with the
internal affairs of another state.
4. Government
The institution through which the state:
 Maintains social order
Provides public services
Enforces decisions
Evolutionary Theory
Force Theory
Divine Right
Social Contract
Evolutionary Theory
•Government =extension of family relationships.
• Even in prehistoric times, families were organized under
a system that gave parents authority over children.
•Over time, families banded together to form tribes.
Parental rule  Tribal rule
Force Theory
•Government =the result of one group's
conquest of another.
•The victorious group would then
impose its rules on the conquered
group, forcing it into submission.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfIzYkuld5M
Divine Right
•Governments were established by rulers who were
thought to inherit their power from God.
•Once blessed with this power, the royal family and
its heirs become God's representation on Earth.
•Defying the ruler wasn’t just a crime, but a sin!
“…for kings are
not only God’s
lieutenants on
Earth, and sit
upon God’s
throne, but even
by God himself
are called gods.”
- King James I
Social Contract
 A “give-and-take” agreement between the
government and the people.
 The government agrees to provide the people with
certain rights in return for giving up certain
freedoms.
 By agreeing to cooperate with each other and
follow a set of rules, people brought order and
safety to their lives.
“Social” Contract
 If Cliff Lee enters into a contract with
the owners of the Phillies, what does
this obligate him to do?
 What does it obligate the owners of the
team to do?
 A CONTRACT is an agreement in which
there are agreed upon rules/regulations
that are to be followed and honored.
A CONTRACT promotes the
COMMON GOOD: what is good for
both parties/all people involved.
“Social” Contract
Have you ever played a
game in which people
didn’t follow the
rules?
State of Nature
 Think of a world where there are no rules, laws,
government, or civilization.
 People could do whatever they wanted, whenever they
wanted, with no consequences.
 What would this world be like?
 A STATE OF NATURE is a hypothetical place in
which people are unrestrained by any higher power.
 We agree to a “social contract” with our
government to ensure that our natural rights are
protected.
Locke v. Hobbes
Thomas “Not to be
confused with Calvin
and” Hobbes
John Locke (aka J.Lo,
aka NOT the bald guy
from Lost)
Social Contract Theorists
 Your task is to explain the similarities and differences
of Locke and Hobbes in their views of the relationship
between government and citizens.
 As you read the article, you should complete your
Social Contract Theorists “T-chart”.
 You should work with a partner to complete your
task. Please arrange your desks so that you are
facing opposite from your partner.
 You have 15 minutes…starting NOW!
• Thought that humans were
naturally selfish, rude, and
needed to be controlled.
• In nature, men were always
fighting, alone, poor, nasty and
lived short lives.
• Government exists because men
are naturally evil and needed a
higher power to keep them in
line.
• Once a king comes to power, they
cannot/should not be
overthrown.
• Thought that humans were basically
good and would do what’s best for
the common good (with a few
exceptions).
• In nature, men were all equal and
sensible.
• Government existed in order to
protect natural rights: LIFE,
LIBERTY, and PROPERTY.
• Once a government comes to power,
the people can overthrow it if it
does not protect the rights of its
citizens.
Social Contract: A Visual
Montage
 Your next task is to create a visual illustration of the
opposing views of Hobbes and Locke.
 You will create a montage that explains both Locke and
Hobbes’ views of human nature AND the relationship
between government and its citizens.
 You will pair up with another pair, creating groups of 4. It
is recommended that one person is in charge of 1 section
of your montage. For example, your poster may look like
this:
Hobbes’ View
of Nature
Locke’s View
of Nature
Hobbes’ Ideas
of Gov’t
Locke’s Ideas
of Gov’t
What did Hobbes imagine the
state of nature to look like?
What did Locke imagine the
state of nature to look like?
What were men like?
What were men like?
What was the environment like?
What was the environment like?
For Hobbes, what was the
purpose of government?
For Locke, what was the purpose
of government?
Who should rule? Why?
Who should rule? Why?
Remember, this is just a suggestion- be creative!
If your poster includes all of these components, you’re
on the right track. Make sure each scene is LABELED.
 You have 45 minutes…starting NOW!
Your poster will be graded on the accuracy
and effort of each depiction. Remember, you
aren’t being graded on your artistic abilityjust show me what you know!
5 points (Accuracy) + 5 points (Effort) =
10 points per scene.
10 x 4= 40 POINTS TOTAL