TEST #1 US GOVERNMENT
Feb 24, 2016
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