Chapter 1: Foundations of Government
Chapter 1 Essential Questions:
1. Why does government matter?
2. How are different forms of government categorized?
3. What are the ideas and key principles that characterize American democracy?
4. What are the major functions of government?
Section 1 Main Idea: Understanding major political ideas and classic forms of government
will help students understand the purposes of government.
Objectives:
1. Define government and explain the importance of government.
2. Describe the major characteristics that all states share.
3. Identify the major functions of government.
4. Identify and explain what theories of rule have been put forth to explain
government.
Section 2 Main Idea: Different forms of governments are categorized based on who exercises
authority and how power is organized
Objectives:
1. Identify and differentiate between the classic forms of government.
2. Explain how national power can be organized in unitary, federal, and
confederal systems.
3. Classify the different forms of government according to the organization of
national power.
4. Explain the ways in which presidential and parliamentary systems differ.
Section 3 Main Idea: American democracy is characterized by core democratic ideals and
principles, as well as by the free enterprise system.
Objectives:
1. Identify the ideals that are important to American democracy.
2. Describe and explain why the ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government
are important to American democracy.
3. Identify the principles of American Democracy.
4. Explain why the free enterprise system is important to American democracy.
Section 1
I. What is Government
A. Definition
B. 3 Components
1. People
2. Powers
a. Definition
b. 3 Basic types of power
i. Legislative power
ii. Executive power
iii. Judicial Power
3. Policies
a. Definition
b. Examples
II. Characteristics of a State
A. Definition of State
B. Origins of the State
1. Divine Right Theory
2. Evolution Theory
3. Social Contract Theory
4. Force Theory
C. A State must have a:
1. Population
2. Territory
3. Government
4. Sovereignty
III. Functions of Government
A. Ensure National Security
1. Protect Territory and People
2. Maintain relations with other nations
B. Maintain Order
1. Thomas Hobbes
2. Societies have different ideas about law and punishment
C. Resolve Conflict
1. Intimidation and Force
2. Politics
a. Definition
b. Interest Groups
3. Judicial System
D. Provide Services
1. Governments provide numerous services
2. Paid for by taxes
E. Provide for the Public Good
1. What is public good?
2. Definition of public has changed over time
IV. Theories of Rule
A. Divine Right
B. Natural Law and Natural Rights.
C. The Social Contract Theory
D. John Locke
E. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Section 2
V. Forms of Government
A. Classic Forms
1. Monarchy
a. Autocracy-rule by one
b. Ceremonial heads of state
c. Constitutional Monarchies
d. Examples
2. Dictatorship
a. Oligarchy/Aristocracy
b. Theocracy – directed by a set of religious ideas
-laws rooted in religion – Iran, old Afghanistan
c. Examples
3. Democracy
a. Rule by the People
b. Direct Democracy
-works best in small communities
c. Republic/Representative Democracy
VI. Organizing National Power
A. National Power
1. Consist of small administrative units
2. Can be centralized or spread about geographic regions
B. Unitary Systems
1. Sovereignty rests with a single national government
2. Has power to change or abolish local governments
C. Federal Systems
1. Divides power between national and regional governments
2. Levels act independently but cannot abolish or reorganized
the other level.
D. Confederal Systems
1. Independent states join and form a central government
2. States delegate limited powers to central government
VII. Presidential Systems (President)
A. Elected by the people for a limited term
B. Head of State and Executive Branch
C. Deals with cabinet members, policy, armed forces, foreign
affairs, and domestic legislation
D. Power checked by legislative branch
VIII. Parliamentary Systems (Prime Minister)
A. Most democracies modeled after this system
B. Executive and legislative branches combined
C. Prime minister chosen from and by Parliament
D. Appoints cabinet members from majority party
Section 3
IX. Ideals of American Democracy
A. Liberty – all people have the ability of freedom to act and think
as they choose
B. Equality – all people possess the same fundamental moral worth
that entitles them to fair treatment
C. Self-Government – ordinary people can rule themselves and do
so as political equals
X. Principles of American Democracy
A. Worth of the Individual – all people are created equal and
deserve an opportunity to pursue their potential
B. Rule of Law – Government is subject to recognized and
enforced limits
C. Majority Rule, Minority Rights – the majority rules but the
rights of the political minority are protected
D. Compromise – despite their differences, opposing groups can
reach agreements
E. Citizen Participation – a healthy democracy requires active
citizen participation at all levels
XI. Free Enterprise
A. Definition
B. Key to preserving other freedoms and allowing people to build
wealth to limit governmental power
C. Free Market is essential
1. Open competition results in better products at lower
prices
2. Those who succeed in competition will prosper
3. Prosperity will benefit society and the economy