1. Participation in Government
Why Study Government?
What is the purpose of Government?

2. Participation in Government
Why Study American Politics?
Is burning the American flag an act of free speech?
Should the government be allowed to seize private property?
Are the principles of the Constitution still relevant today?

3. Participation in Government
Government – institution through which a society creates
and enforces its public policies.

4. Participation in Government
Public Policy – things government decides to do

6. Forms of Government:
Democracy – Power and policies are created by a majority of
the people.
Dictatorship – Power and policies are created by a single
person or small group
Aristocracy – a few, elite citizens create public policy

8. The State
State – body of people, living in a defined area, with government
and the power to create public policy.

9. Palestine:
A nation without
a state
Nation does not
include physical
boundaries
Oneida Nation?

10. Nation
Nation – community of people who share a common language,
culture, ethnicity, descent, and/or history

11. Nation-State
Nation-State – The state is a political and geopolitical entity; the
nation is a cultural and/or ethnic entity. The term "nation state"
implies that the two geographically coincide

12. Origins of the State
Force Theory - Person or small group claimed control over an
area and forced all within to submit to the rule
of the group or individual.

13. Origins of the State
The Evolutionary Theory - government is a extension of the
family “head of house” structure
Network of families
Clans
Tribes

14. Origins of the State
The Divine Right Theory – God created the state, grant power to
those of “Royal Birth” (Divine Right)

15. Origins of the State
Social Contract Theory
Enlightenment Thinkers
State of Nature
People give up freedom
for protection
State created and limited
by the people

16. The Purpose of Government:
http://ihcgoveco.wordpress.com

17. Where did our government come from?

18. Where did our government come from?
British Colonists
Established political
system
Laws, Institutions
Romans

19. Limited and Representative Government
Government is not all-powerful Congress:
Senate
Unalienable Rights of people House of Representatives
Serve the will of the people

21. Historical Governing Documents:
Magna Carta (1215) – Limited the power of King John (England)
Trail by Jury (Due Process)
Equal Protection
No taxes without people’s
consent
King John

22. Historical Governing Documents:
Articles of Confederation Strengths:
Post Revolution
Small National Government
Make War and Peace
Treaties
Post Office
Army and Navy
Weights and Measures

23. Historical Governing Documents:
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses:
No Power to Tax
No Power to regulate trade between
States
No power to enforce polices in states
Not flexible

24. Constitution:
Six Basic Principles:
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Judicial Review
Federalism