4. INSTRUCTIONS:
On a separate sheet of paper,
write down your answers to the following questions:
What do you LIKE about our government?
What do you DISLIKE about our government?
What would you CHANGE about our government?
5.
6.
7. What words, concepts, ideas, etc. come to mind
when you see the following words?
“politics”
“politicians”
“power”
10. Why is the national government
an important topic to study?
11. Many definitions of politics:
Lasswell: “Who gets what, when and how”
Characteristics of Politics:
(1) Power
(2) Decision Making
Political scientists study power in political
communities.
12.
13.
14.
15. Power:
Ability to influence others or impose will on them
HowTo Know ifYou Have Power?
Personal Relationships
Influence
16.
17.
18.
19. POLITICS
Process or activity through
which power and resources
are gained and lost
GOVERNMENT
System or organization
for exercising authority
over a body of people
20.
21. How we get the things we want in politics
Peaceful elections or violent revolutions
Who decides on the rules is important.
Rule by elite (Aristocracy)
Rule by wealthy (Plutocracy)
Rule by royalty (Monarchy)
Rule by people (Democracy)
22. Organizations where govt. power is
exercised
Constitution defines institutions of govt.
Different arrangements in other countries
Parliament, Ruler, or Council
Goal: Prosperous political environment
26. Means of production (land, labor, etc.)
are privately owned
Decisions are left to individuals
▪ Supply and Demand
Government interference is small
27. LAISSEZ-FAIRE
“Let people do as they wish”
Government has no
economic role
REGULATED
Government can step in
and regulate economy to
safeguard rights
28. SOCIALISM
Economic decisions made by
politicians using judgment.
SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
Middle ground between
capitalism and socialism
Equality through gradual
democratization rather than
revolutionNorth Korea and Cuba can be considered
modern examples of Socialist governments.
29.
30.
31. State has ultimate power
Various Forms:
Monarchy—Rule by Individual
Theocracy—Rule by Religion
Fascist—Rule by State
Totalitarian System
▪ Authoritarian Govt. and Socialist Economy
32. Anarchy
Democracy
Elite Democracy
▪ Government run by elites in various fields
Pluralist Democracy
▪ Emphasis on group membership
Participatory Democracy
▪ Individuals have right to participate in government
33.
34.
35. PEOPLE AS SUBJECTS
Authoritarian Systems
Submission to Government
Authority
No Rights or Freedoms
Obligations to State
PEOPLE AS CITIZENS
Democratic Systems
Members of community
with rights and
responsibilities
Characteristics:
Power from People
People Sovereign
Consent of Governed
Government PublicWill