Ceniya Jefferson
3 Period
US Government
Introduction to Government -
The government is an institution in which the state makes public decisions, maintains
social order & safety, enforces decisions, & gives civilians rights/ responsibilities.
A citizen is a member of a nation/city/town who is entitled to its rights & privileges.
With entitlement can come certain responsibilities. To be informed, responsible, & active.
Principles of Government -
Characteristics of a state involve a population. & defined territory. A government that
can enforce laws and does not have to ask permission from a higher authority.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY -
Believes that the earliest form of government stemmed from the family. The father is
considered the head of the family. Therefore, he “governed” the family. When multiple
families made a community, the same type of organization was set up among families.
FORCE THEORY -
First governments were established by the use of weapons. A small group was put in
charge to maintain order within the community by use of force.
DIVINE RIGHT THEORY - The “ruler” believes they were given power by god or that they
were chosen by a god or gods. Many ancient civilians and European civilizations were
founded upon this belief.
SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY - Created by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Believed that an
agreement existed between subjects and rulers. If the ruler did not hold up his end of the
agreement-subjects could overthrow the ruler.
Systems of Government -
- There are three basic systems of government: military, confection, and
federal. By answering the question “who governs?” should allow you to
know what type of government it is.
UNITARY GOVERNMENT : National government holds all the power, sets up state or
regional governments to make/enforce laws, and is used by modern European countries and
the U.S.
, CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT: Loose union of independent states ( Articles of
Confederation ) & each state had individual power
FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT: Divides governmental powers between state and
national government. This is a widely used form of government by over 25 nations including
the U.S.
Types of Government -
In autocracy, ONE person holds all the power, the oldest form of government but includes
absolute monarchs, and constitutional monarchs which Great Britain has today.
Oligarchy, a small group of people, rules with absolute power. Sometimes these
governments will hold elections, but the only people running for office are members of the
oligarchy.
Democracy - the people rule
Direct Democracy - Individual citizens vote on issues of the government during meetings
that all citizens can attend. Very FEW places are small enough that this actually works.
Representatives Democracy - a process in which representatives are elected in order to
govern a community or state. Voters, therefore, give the power to the representatives to make laws
within the state or nation.
Foundations of American Democracy -
Magna Carta :
“ The Great Charter” Signed by King John in 1215, Nobles were being abused by King, FIRST
FORM OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT
● Jump 400 years~
House of Burgesses :
The government was formed by Jamestown colonists (1619), each plantation had 2
representatives, reps were known as Burgesses, First form of Representative Democracy in the
U.S.
● Mayflower Compact~
Signed by passengers of the Mayflower in 1620, makes “ just and equal laws” for the
community, First form of Direct Democracy in the U.S.
● Parliament~
Britain’s legislature, makes laws & governs the country, and is split into two houses
3 Period
US Government
Introduction to Government -
The government is an institution in which the state makes public decisions, maintains
social order & safety, enforces decisions, & gives civilians rights/ responsibilities.
A citizen is a member of a nation/city/town who is entitled to its rights & privileges.
With entitlement can come certain responsibilities. To be informed, responsible, & active.
Principles of Government -
Characteristics of a state involve a population. & defined territory. A government that
can enforce laws and does not have to ask permission from a higher authority.
EVOLUTIONARY THEORY -
Believes that the earliest form of government stemmed from the family. The father is
considered the head of the family. Therefore, he “governed” the family. When multiple
families made a community, the same type of organization was set up among families.
FORCE THEORY -
First governments were established by the use of weapons. A small group was put in
charge to maintain order within the community by use of force.
DIVINE RIGHT THEORY - The “ruler” believes they were given power by god or that they
were chosen by a god or gods. Many ancient civilians and European civilizations were
founded upon this belief.
SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY - Created by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke. Believed that an
agreement existed between subjects and rulers. If the ruler did not hold up his end of the
agreement-subjects could overthrow the ruler.
Systems of Government -
- There are three basic systems of government: military, confection, and
federal. By answering the question “who governs?” should allow you to
know what type of government it is.
UNITARY GOVERNMENT : National government holds all the power, sets up state or
regional governments to make/enforce laws, and is used by modern European countries and
the U.S.
, CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT: Loose union of independent states ( Articles of
Confederation ) & each state had individual power
FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT: Divides governmental powers between state and
national government. This is a widely used form of government by over 25 nations including
the U.S.
Types of Government -
In autocracy, ONE person holds all the power, the oldest form of government but includes
absolute monarchs, and constitutional monarchs which Great Britain has today.
Oligarchy, a small group of people, rules with absolute power. Sometimes these
governments will hold elections, but the only people running for office are members of the
oligarchy.
Democracy - the people rule
Direct Democracy - Individual citizens vote on issues of the government during meetings
that all citizens can attend. Very FEW places are small enough that this actually works.
Representatives Democracy - a process in which representatives are elected in order to
govern a community or state. Voters, therefore, give the power to the representatives to make laws
within the state or nation.
Foundations of American Democracy -
Magna Carta :
“ The Great Charter” Signed by King John in 1215, Nobles were being abused by King, FIRST
FORM OF LIMITED GOVERNMENT
● Jump 400 years~
House of Burgesses :
The government was formed by Jamestown colonists (1619), each plantation had 2
representatives, reps were known as Burgesses, First form of Representative Democracy in the
U.S.
● Mayflower Compact~
Signed by passengers of the Mayflower in 1620, makes “ just and equal laws” for the
community, First form of Direct Democracy in the U.S.
● Parliament~
Britain’s legislature, makes laws & governs the country, and is split into two houses
