The document discusses different concepts related to states and governments. It defines key terms like state, nation, and social contract theory. It also summarizes the main forms of government like democracy, autocracy, monarchy, dictatorship, oligarchy, and theocracy. It provides examples and characteristics of each type of government.

1. What is the state?What is the state?

2. ““state” v. “nation”state” v. “nation”
State – political community in a precise territory
Nation – large group of people unified by a common
race, language, custom or religion
When states are created by people unified by these
factors (nations), they are called nation-states (ie. France,
Poland)

3. FeaturesFeatures
Population
 consensus – states are more stable when people share
common beliefs and values
Distribution – migration of people can shift power from one
part of the state to another
Territory – established boundaries
Sovereignty – the government makes and enforces its
own laws with no interference from outsiders
Government – how a state keeps order in society,
provides services to its people, and enforces laws

4. “states” under the Articles of
Confederation
One state, united by a strong central
govt. under the constitution

5. OriginsOrigins ofof thethe StateState
Why did people create the earliest governments? There
are several theories.
Evolutionary Theory – grew from families’ needs for more
organization
Force Theory – grew of the need to keep out enemies (ie.
City-states building walls, then coming under the control of
one person or group)
Divine Right Theory – rulers chosen by god(s) (ie. Ancient
Egypt, China)
Social Contract Theory

6. Social ContractSocial Contract
TheoryTheory
 Challenge to divine right theory (1600s)
 Thomas Hobbes & John Locke
 There is a “state of nature” when there
is no govt
To create a govt, a social contract was
made
people gave up their rights to the
state in exchange for protection
govt. promised to preserve
people’s natural rights – LIFE,
LIBERTY, PROPERTY

7. ImagineImagine…
All of the students in your school were transported to a
place with enough natural resources for you to live well,
but where no one had lived before. When you arrive,
you have no means of communicating with people in
other parts of the world.

8. GovernmentGovernment
When people decide to form the socialWhen people decide to form the social
contracts that we call governments, theycontracts that we call governments, they
make many different decisions about howmake many different decisions about how
their government will look.their government will look.

9. 1. Maintain social order (resolve conflict between
groups w/ law and order)
2. provide public services (things people can’t do
for themselves)
3. Security and defense
4. Making economic decisions (divide scarce
resources, create a currency, encouraging trade,
developing natural resources, etc.)
Purposes of the GovtPurposes of the Govt.

10. How does govt fulfillHow does govt fulfill
these functions?these functions?
1. Legitimacy – willingness of the
people to obey the govt.
2. Use of force – police, courts,
military

11. Govt SystemsGovt Systems
1. Unitary – all power is with
central govt. (ex. France, Great
Britain)
2. Federal – power is divided
between central and state
govts. (ex. US!)

12. ConstitutionConstitution
 provides the rules for the government
Ideals people believe in
Structure of the govt.
Supreme law for the country
Constitutional govt. – LIMITS the powers of those who
govern (China does NOT have this!)

13. What happens whenWhat happens when
govt. is not limited?govt. is not limited?
Tiananmen Square – Beijing, China, 1989

14. Forms of GovernmentForms of Government

15. DemocracyDemocracy
government in which political power is exercised bygovernment in which political power is exercised by allall
citizenscitizens, either directly or through their elected, either directly or through their elected
representatives.representatives.
There are two kinds ofThere are two kinds of DemocraciesDemocracies……
Direct!
Representative!

16. Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
DemocracyDemocracy
 Individual LibertyIndividual Liberty
 Majority Rule with Minority RightsMajority Rule with Minority Rights
 Free electionsFree elections
 Competing political partiesCompeting political parties

17. Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy
All citizens participate in governmentAll citizens participate in government..
All citizens can create public policy if they wantAll citizens can create public policy if they want
to.to.
Ex: In ancient Athens, Greece, they heldEx: In ancient Athens, Greece, they held
assemblies where citizens voted to pass laws.assemblies where citizens voted to pass laws.
no representatives in government: The citizensno representatives in government: The citizens
vote on everything!vote on everything!

18. Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy
all citizens participate in government, BUTall citizens participate in government, BUT
People elect representatives who vote on lawsPeople elect representatives who vote on laws
for themfor them
Rep. answer to the people through electionsRep. answer to the people through elections
Rep. are held accountable by a constitutionRep. are held accountable by a constitution

19. Now that we’ve talked about
DIRECT
DEMOCRACY!And
REPRESENTATIVE
DEMOCRACY!
we can move on to
forms of government
where only one
person is in control…

20. AutocracyAutocracy
A form of government in which political power is controlledA form of government in which political power is controlled
byby oneone individual such as a monarch, dictator, emperor,individual such as a monarch, dictator, emperor,
etc.etc.
WeWe’re going to talk about two kinds of’re going to talk about two kinds of autocracyautocracy……
Monarchs!
Dictators!

21. MonarchyMonarchy
Rule by kings, queens, princes, andRule by kings, queens, princes, and
princesses… sometimes by other names, butprincesses… sometimes by other names, but
always MONARCHS!always MONARCHS!
Leaders usually gain their power because theirLeaders usually gain their power because their
parents were rulers too.parents were rulers too.
Some modern monarchies like Spain and JapanSome modern monarchies like Spain and Japan
have constitutions.have constitutions.

22. DictatorshipDictatorship
power is not inherited, but ispower is not inherited, but is
gained by force (military or political)gained by force (military or political)
Dictators have absolute control over the livesDictators have absolute control over the lives
of their citizens; people are not allowed toof their citizens; people are not allowed to
voice their negative opinionsvoice their negative opinions
North KoreaNorth Korea’s leader Kim Jong Il was considered a’s leader Kim Jong Il was considered a
dictator. His son Kim Jong-un now rules.dictator. His son Kim Jong-un now rules.

23. OligarchyOligarchy
 ““Rule by few”Rule by few”
Power can be based on several things:Power can be based on several things:
Military strength = Military JuntaMilitary strength = Military Junta
Family power = AristocracyFamily power = Aristocracy
Religious control = Theocratic OligarchyReligious control = Theocratic Oligarchy
Oligarchies can often come from or lead toOligarchies can often come from or lead to
other forms of government (like autocracies)other forms of government (like autocracies)

24. TheocracyTheocracy
““Theo” means “god” in Greek… so if aTheo” means “god” in Greek… so if a
government is THEO-cratic that means it is ruledgovernment is THEO-cratic that means it is ruled
by… That’s right! A god or higher power!by… That’s right! A god or higher power!
Leaders (Leaders (autocraticautocratic oror oligarchicoligarchic) are usually) are usually
religious leaders and society uses religious lawreligious leaders and society uses religious law
to settle its disputesto settle its disputes
Example: The Islamic Republic of Iran is a modernExample: The Islamic Republic of Iran is a modern
theocracy that uses the holy Islamic book, Thetheocracy that uses the holy Islamic book, The
QurQur’an, as its guide.’an, as its guide.

26. AnarchyAnarchy
 No government at all…No government at all…
WAIT!
Then who makes and
enforces laws?

27. AnarchyAnarchy
 No government at all…No government at all…
In an anarchy there is no government to makeIn an anarchy there is no government to make
or enforce laws.or enforce laws.
What do you
think that would
be like?

28. LetLet’s Review!’s Review!

29. DemocracyDemocracy
A B
Rule by
everyone
Rule by
no one

30. Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy
A B
Citizens
elect people
to vote
All citizens
vote on
everything

31. RepresentativeRepresentative
DemocracyDemocracy
A B
Representatives
are
appointed
Representatives
are elected

32. AutocracyAutocracy
A B
Rule by
one
Rule by
few

33. MonarchyMonarchy
A B
Never have
constitutions
Power is
inherited

34. DictatorshipDictatorship
A B
Always
protect
freedom
of speech
Have
total
control

35. OligarchyOligarchy
A B
Power is
always
inherited
Come in
many
forms

36. TheocracyTheocracy
A B
Power from
a higher
being
Power
taken
through
force

37. AnarchyAnarchy
A B
Everyone
follows the
laws
Everyone
does what
they want

38. DemocraticDemocratic
ConceptsConceptsEquality
Majority rule,
minority rights?
Compromise
Individual
freedoms
Free elections

39. MajorityMajority

40. DoesDoes
DEMOCRACY = LIBERTY?

41. “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on
what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed
lamb contesting the vote.”

42. Are Liberty and
Democracy Equivalent?

43. Essential Elements ofEssential Elements of
DemocracyDemocracy
Participation of citizens
A good economy
Widespread education
Strong civil society
Social consensus

44. Pre ClassPre Class
Imagine yourself in a community where all
order and authority have broken down. Violent
lawlessness is widespread. Do you think any
government is better than none? Explain your
answer.

45. Relationship BetweenRelationship Between
BranchesBranches
Presidential:
Executive &
Legislative are
equal and both
elected
Parliamentary:
Legislative picked
by leading party

46. Spotlight Video:9/11 Commission