US GOVERNMENT

TEST #1

US GOVERNMENT

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT?

The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

THREE KINDS OF POWER

Legislative – makes law or frames public policies

Executive – executes, enforces and administers laws

Judicial – interprets laws and settles disputes

CONSTITUTION

Plan of government, body of fundamental laws setting out principles, structures and processes of government.

DICTATORSHIP – POWER BY ONE OR SMALL GROUP

DEMOCRACY – POWER RESTS WITH THE PEOPLE

ORIGINS OF DEMOCRACY

GREECE – Athenian direct democracy

ROME – Republic with indirect or representative democracy

THE STATE

A body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically and with power to make and enforce law with the consent of any higher authority

ENLIGHTENMENT THINKERS

Thomas Hobbes – LeviathanJean Jacques Rousseau – The Social ContractJohn Locke – Two Treatises of GovernmentCharles-Louis de Montesquieu – The Spirit of

LawsFrancois-Marie Voltaire - Encyclopedie

HOBBES

Government exists to prevent chaos“State of Nature” – Hurricane Katrina

Rousseau

Man is basically good, society corrupts himEducation

LOCKE

Natural Rights – Life, Liberty and PropertyRight to govern comes from the consent of

the peopleThe right to rebel against an unjust

government

MONTESQUIEU

Three branches of governmentSeparation of powers“checks and balances”

VOLTAIRE

Religious toleranceFaith leads to fanaticism & savageryDeist

Religious Conflicts that probably influenced Voltaire

Crusades – Christians v. Muslims over Holy Land

Inquisition – Church court punished hereticsThirty Years’ War – Protestants v. Catholics

Attacks on Abortion Clinics & Doctors

Iran – Stoning girls to death for “adultery”

Hamas in Palestine

Voltaire supported idea of “Enlightened Despots”

Distrusts democracy – the masses are stupidFrederick the Great – said he was 1st servant

of the state instead of saying “I am the state”

PURPOSE OF GOVERNMENTPREAMBLE

Form a more perfect union – a union creates strength

Establish justice – the law must be reasonable, fair and impartial

Insure domestic tranquility – keeping peace at home

Provide common defense – protection from othersPromote general welfare – serve its citizens (water,

transportation, education, etc.)Secure blessings of liberty – freedoms for the

individual

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Division of powerLocal – city, county, townState Central

CONFEDERATION

European Union – best example todayCentral government has limited power most of the power lies with the state governments

PRESIDENTIAL VS. PARLIAMENTARY

Elected PresidentPrime Minister (executive) chosen by the legislature or the party in power in the legislature

FOUNDATIONS OF DEMOCRACY

Worth and dignity of the individualEquality for all Majority rule but minority rightsCompromisePersonal/individual freedom

FREE ENTERPRISE

Capitalism – supply and demandMixed economy – private and public

ORIGINS OF U.S. GOVERNMENT

The Magna Carta – King John Trial by jury Due process Limited the power of the Monarch – not absolute

Petition of Rights – Charles I Imprisonment based on laws No quartering No martial law King must obey the law

English Bill of Rights – William and Mary Fair trial No excessive bail No cruel and unusual punishment Right to petition king

COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS

Charter – written grant by the King to establish a colony

Bi-cameral and uni-cameral legislatures

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR

Salutary NeglectIncrease taxationThe Albany Plan of Union

7 Northern Colonies Discussion of trade problems and Indian attacks Ben Franklin proposes and annual Congress of

Delegates meeting of all colonies – power to raise troops, regulate trade, tax, etc.

FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

1774 – All colonies have representatives except GA

Sent a “declaration of rights” to King George

Called for an embargo against Britain

SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS

After the battles of Lexington and Concord

Continental Army is created – George Washington as commander

Thomas Jefferson – Declaration of Independence

STATE CONSTITUTIONS

Each state had oneCommon features

Popular sovereignty Limited government Separation of powers – “checks and balances” Civil rights and liberties