Chapter 1: Theory of Modern Government
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
Do we need a government? If not, what would society be like without government?
Who would provide for education?
Who would respond to fires?
What would become of our civil rights and who would protect them?
How do you balance individual rights (i.e., the right to privacy) with the common good (i.e., need to protect/warn
children of local child molesters)?
How do you balance the individual right to pursue happiness (i.e., smoke a cigarette) with the common good (i.e.,
right to life versus the cancerous 2nd hand smoke)?
FACT:
Whether because they feel they can’t make a difference, the political system is corrupt, or
they just don’t care, young Americans (defined as under age 25) are clearly apathetic
about public affairs.
Among the class of 2005, only 31% said that “keeping up with politics” was an important
priority for them.
Those who participate in the political process are more likely to benefit from government
programs and policies.
FACT:
FACT:
I.
The State (a legal entity…in mainstream public, a state is often referred to as a “nation” or “country” – but a
nation refers to a race or large group of people, while a country is a geographic location) is the dominant
political unit in the world today.
A.
There are four characteristics:
1.
Population – A state consists of people…size doesn’t matter.
2.
Territory – A state must have land with recognized boundaries.
3.
Government – A state has an institution through which society makes and enforces its
public policies (everything the government decides to do).
4.
Sovereignty – A state has supreme and absolute power within its own territory… it is
neither subordinate nor responsible to any other authority.
a)
The Virgin Islands, Guam, and the states within the United States are not sovereign
because they are “responsible” to the United States.
b)
If the people are sovereign (people hold the power), then the government is
democratic; however, if a single person or a small group holds the power, a
dictatorship exists.
B.
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The United States is based on the Social Contract Theory where people agreed to give up power
to the state in return for the state’s service to the general well-being of the people.
1.
It was developed to challenge the idea that those of royal birth have absolute authority to
rule.
2.
In the case of the United States, the “contract” would be the Constitution.
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