The document discusses the concepts of government, public policy, types of government power, constitutions, politics, the state, and theories on the origin of states. It defines government as the institution through which a society makes and enforces public policy. Public policy includes areas like education, defense, crime, and healthcare. Government power is often outlined in a constitution, with democracies holding leaders accountable to citizens. The state is the dominant political unit defined by a population living in a territory with sovereignty and a government. Theories on how states originated include through force, evolution from families to tribes, divine right, and social contract.

1. Government & the State
Chapter 1 Section 1
S

2. What is the government?
S What are the goals of government?
S What are the organizations that form in it?
S What are some local examples of government?
S Why do we need it?

3. Government
S It is the institution through
which a society makes and
enforces public policy.
S It is composed of people
who have authority and
control over the people.

4. Public Policy
Public policy are all the things that
government decides to do.
-The cover some the
following;
-education
-defense
-crime
-healthcare
-and many more…

5. Types of Government Power

6. Constitutions
S These powers are often outlined in a fundamental law setting out the principles,
structures, and processes of government.
S A Constitution

7. Not all Constitutions are Equal
S Dictatorship
S When only a single person
or small group controls all
types of power.
S When a constitution is
written to hold leaders
accountable for their actions
to the people that makes it a:
Democracy

8. Politics
S “Man is by nature, a
political animal.” –
Aristotle
S What does that mean?
S How is politics different
from government?

9. The State
S The dominant political unit
in the world.
S A State a body of people,
living in a defined territory,
organized politically, and
with the power to enforce
low without consent from
higher authority

10. 4 Characteristics of States
S Population
S The size has nothing to do with a state, but it must have people
living within it.

11. 4 Characteristics of States
S Territory
S Every state must have
territory with known
and recognized
boundaries.

12. 4 Characteristics of States
S Sovereignty
S Every state is sovereign, it
has supreme and absolute
power within its own
territory.
S It can decided its own
foreign and domestic
policy.

13. 4 Characteristics of States
S Government
S Political organization is
key to a state, it must have
a government through
which it creates and
enforces its policies.

14. Theories on the Origin of States
S The Force Theory
S A group or person
claims control of a
territory and forces its
people to submit to their
will.

15. Theories on the Origin of States
S Evolutionary Theory
S The first unit of
government was the
family, which grew to
clans, then tribes, who
then settle down in a
region and become states.

16. Theories on the Origin of States
S Divine Right Theory
S God or Gods created
the state and ordained
a family or group to be
their leader.

17. Theories on the Origin of States
S Social Contract Theory
S The people make a contract
with the state to give up only as
much power as is needed to
promote the health and
wellbeing of the state.