Principles of Government
Is Government Necessary?
What is a State?
A political community that occupies a
definite territory and has an organized
government with the power to make
and enforce laws without approval from
any higher authority.
There are more than
190 states in the world.
What is a State?
State / Province
vs.
State / Nation /
Country
What are the Essential
Features of a State?
Population
Territory
Sovereignty
What is a Nation?
• Has population
• Might not have
territory or
sovereignty
• More than 800 nations
City States
Ancient
Modern
• Athens
• Sparta
• Singapore
• Monaco
• Vatican City
Other Terms You Need to Know
Industrialized Nation
•
•
•
•
Large industries
Advanced technology
Comfortable life for citizens
Relatively high per capita income
U.S., France, Germany, Great Britain,
Japan, Canada
Other Terms You Need to Know
Developing Nation
•
•
•
•
Beginning to develop major industry
Trying to acquire technology
Population is relatively poor
Low per capita income
Cuba, Angola, Paraguay, Nigeria, Vietnam
Other Terms You Need to Know
Many nations are somewhere
between “industrialized” and
“developing.”
Mexico, India, China,
most of South America,
Romania, Bulgaria,
Other Terms You Need to Know
“Third World” Nation
•
•
•
•
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Little industry
Little technology
Very poor population
Low per capita income
Often in political turmoil
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Honduras,
much of sub-Saharan Africa
Theories of Origin of the State
Evolutionary Theory
The state developed out of the
family unit.
Theories of Origin of the State
Force Theory
The state developed out of the need for
a leader for battle, for building
defenses, digging a well, etc.
Theories of Origin of the State
Divine Right Theory
God chose someone by having them
born into the right family and it is
wrong to oppose God’s choice.
Theories of Origin of the State
Social Contract Theory
People have basic rights. They can agree
to give certain authority to a leader or
government.
Purposes of Government
Maintain social order
To avoid conflict with the group
Establish society norms
Marriage, crime, punishment, etc.
Provide public services
Provide national security
Make economic decisions
What to subsidize
What to build
How to maintain economic health
Basic Forms of Government
• Great Britain
• Italy
• France
Basic Forms of Government
Central Government • Holds primary authority
• Regulates activities of
states
State Government • Little or no powers
• Duties regulated by
central government
Citizens • Vote for central
government officials
Basic Forms of Government
Independent states
agree to work together
Russia
Basic Forms of Government
Central government • Limited powers to
coordinate state
activities
State government • Sovereign
• Allocate some duties to
central government
Citizens • Vote for state
government officials
Basic Forms of Government
U.S., Canada,
Switzerland,
Mexico, India,
Australia
Basic Forms of Government
Central Government • Shares power with states
State Government • Shares power with central
government
Citizens • Vote for both state and
central government
officials