1. Introduction to American
Government
Principles of Government

2. The State
• Aristotle: Greek philosopher who coined
the title and gave it meaning.
• State: A political community that
occupies a definite territory and has an
organized government with the power to
make and enforce laws.
• Nation: People united under common
bonds (ex. Race, religion, language,
customs)

3. Features of the State
• Population: People in a state
• Territory: The established boundaries of a
state through war, negotiation, seizure or
purchase.
• Sovereignty: The Supreme authority of a state
within its boundaries (power of government)
• Government: The institution that maintains
social order, provides public services, and
binds people together.

4. Theories of the Origin of the State
1. Evolutionary Theory
• Family Based
• Head of the Government is
the head of the family.
• Example: Clans of Britain or
Scotland in the times of
“Braveheart”

5. Theories of the Origin of the State
2. Force Theory
• People brought together under the
guidance of one strong ruler.
• Ruler maintains dominance through
coercion and threat.
• Ex. Saddam Hussein

6. Theories of the Origin of the State
3. Divine Right Theory
• God has chosen the leader, therefore to go
against the leader is to go against God.
• Ex. Aztecs, Egyptians, European monarchs.

7. Theories of the Origin of the State
4. Social Contract
• People agree to a
government for the good
of the whole and for
protection.
• People have the right to
overthrow that
government if it is not
taking care of their needs,
according to John Locke.

8. Purposes of Government
1. Maintain Social Order: control conflict in
the population.
2. Public Services: Building recreation and
providing for the general well-being.
3. National Security: Feeling safe is a must
for government to survive.
• Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Department
4. Economic Decisions: Taxes, Spending,
Aid to other nations.

9. Introduction to American
Government
Formation of Governments

10. Government Systems
1. Unitary System
• Government gives all key powers to the
national government with no real division
of powers
• Example: Great Britain, Italy
2. Federal System
• Divides power between the national and
state levels to best serve the people
• Example: The U.S. (too big)

11. Constitutions
1. Constitution
• A plan that lays out the rules of a
government.
• Sets out the ideals that people share.
• Establishes a structure of government.
• Provides the supreme law of the land.

12. Politics
1. Politics: efforts to control the conduct
and policies of a government.
• Helps to settle disagreements in a
civilized manner.
• Promotes different points of view for
discussion
• Defines the stances on issues for the
common people.

13. World View
1. Inequalities between nations
• Industrialized
• Countries with large industries, advanced
technologies, and solid economies (U.S.)
• Developing
• Countries who are in the beginning stages of
economic development, attracting
corporations, and advancing their
technologies (Brazil, Mexico)
• Third World
• Countries with very little hope of advancing
their industries or economy to a stable and
strong level (Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia)

14. World View
2. Contact from Different Nations
• Making friends and enemies politically
affects the ability to advance
economically.
• Differences in policy, religious beliefs,
colors of skin, and economic factors
affect the ability of states to get along.

15. World View
3. International Organizations
• Multinational Corporations
• Companies that have expanded their business
to include multiple countries and are not tied to
one country.

16. World View
3. International Organizations
• Peacekeeping Organizations
• Groups that include representatives from
around the globe to promote peace and
understanding, but are not under the control of
any one government.

17. World View
3. International Organizations
• Terrorist Groups
• People who collectively work to destroy the
status quo and disrupt business and political
centers of the world.