Chapter 1: People & Government
Section 1: Principles of Government
Aristotle is often considered the first student of
political science for asking two key questions
regarding government:
1. What is the proper function of government?
2. Where or why did government originate?
The State: a political community that occupies a
definite territory & has an organized govt. with Aristotle
the power to make and enforce laws without any Ἀριστοτέλης
higher authority. Examples?
A nation: any sizeable group of people who are
united by common bonds of race, language,
custom, tradition, & sometimes religion.
Examples?
Essential Features of a State
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
Government
Theories of the Origin of the State
• Evolutionary Theory: “Father Abraham”
• Force Theory: “might makes right”
• Divine Right Theory: “l’ etat ce moi.”
• Social Contract Theory: philosophical approach pioneered
by Thomas Hobbes in Leviathan & John Locke in Two
Treatises in Government.
Section 2: The Formation of Government
Government Systems
Unitary system: gives all key powers to the
national or central government.
Exp: France
Federal System: divides powers of
government between national & state or
provincial governments. Exp: U.S.A.
Confederacy: loose union of independent
states. Exp: United Arab Emirates
Section 2: The Formation of Government
Constitutions & Government
Constitution is a plan that provides the rules for
government.
1. sets ideals that people are bound by the
constitution believe in and share.
2. establishes basic structure of government &
defines government’s powers & duties
3. provides supreme law for a country
Constitutional government: a government in
which a constitution has authority to place clearly
recognized limits on the powers of those who
govern.
Section 3: Types of Governments
WHO GOVERNS?
Autocracy: single ruler (power by
force or inheritance)
Absolute/totalitarian dictatorship: tries to
control all aspects of life (Hitler’s
Germany)
Monarchy: inherited power (kings and
queens)
Oligarchy: small group (power by
wealth, force, social position, religion)
Communist countries (China, North Korea)
Democracy: the people
Direct: people actually vote on issues
Representative: people elect reps to decide
issues
Section 4: Economic Theories
What is the basic role of an
economic system?
3 basic questions:
What and how much should be
produced?
How should goods and services be
produced?
Who gets the goods and services that
are produced?
Explain the origin and function of capitalism
Origin
Developed over time in Europe
Trade routes opened to Asia in 1200s
People invested money to make profits--became the
wealthy middle class
– Belief in free market (buyers/sellers free to make
economic decisions in the marketplace)
Adam Smith The Wealth of Nations (1776)
Laissez-faire: gov’t should keep its hands off the
economy
Explain the origin and function of capitalism
Function
Answer to 3 basic questions?
The market/supply and demand
Characteristics
Private ownership/control of property
Free enterprise
Competition among businesses
Freedom of choice
Possibility of profits
How does capitalism work in the U.S.?
Free Enterprise in the U.S.
No market is truly free
Gov’t regulates trade, owns property, runs services, etc.
Governmental Influence
US gov’t is #1 consumer
Gov’t regulates product safety, working conditions,
environmental issues, banking, etc.
Gov’t provides social services
Mixed-Market Economy
Economy in which free enterprise is combined w/ and
supported by gov’t decisions in the marketplace
Capitalism is viewed as central to democracy
Explain the origin and function of socialism
1800s: industrialization in Europe accented differences
between rich and poor
Answer to 3 basic questions?
Government controls basic means of production while
allowing some elements of free market
Main goals of socialism
Equal distribution of wealth and economic opportunity
Society’s control of major production decisions
Public ownership of land, factories, etc.
Democratic Socialism: people have rights and control of
gov’t--gov’t controls economy (GB)
Explain the origin and function of communism
Origin
Karl Marx: German socialist revolutionary
The Communist Manifesto & Das Kapital
Capitalists/bourgeoisie/owners “enslave”
workers/proletariat
Owners and workers in constant struggle-fewer and fewer people own wealth-violent uprising of workers leads to
revolution and socialism
Eventually communism (one class,
property held in common, no government)
“The proletarians have nothing to lose but
their chains. Working men of all countries
unite!”
Explain the origin and function of communism
Function
Answer to 3 basic questions?
Gov’t makes all decisions (command economy)
Government making all decisions about money
means government basically makes all decisions
Inherently un-democratic
No successful communist countries--typically
corruption prevents a decent standard of living