Government_Ch1_Homework-1

=**Government Chapter 1 Homework #1**= Answer each bold faced question on notebook paper.

1. The Greeks were the first serious students of politics and government. In the Western world, scholars look to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle who famously wrote that "man is a political animal," carefully analyzed what he observed in society. For Aristotle, the state meant the Greek city-state, the territory of a town and its surrounding area where face-to-face communication was possible. Today, the word state identifies a political community in a precise territory. A state is sovereign - that is, its government makes and enforces its own laws without approval from any other authority. Today, the United States of America is one of 193 sovereign states. In America, we know the word state is means one of the 50 subdivisions of the U.S. That's because in 1776 the 13 colonies declared independence and each thought of itself as a sovereign nation or sovereign state. When they later joined together under the Constitution, the term state survived to describe our nation's political subdivisions. The term nation is often used for state, but strictly speaking, it means a sizable group of people who believe themselves united by common bonds of race, language, custom, or religion. **Use the word state in a sentence being certain to clearly show your knowledge of the word state other than one of the 50 subdivisions of the U.S.**

2. Use the above reading to fill in the blanks: **A was the first to study government...he discussed what a s was...today, the word state is also synonymous with n-.**

3. There are four essential features of a state (or country). The most obvious essential for a nation is people or a population. The nature of a country's population affects its stability. States where the people share a consensus, or agreement, about basic beliefs and values have the most stable governments. The United States is relatively stable because most Americans believe in a democratic system in which government power comes from the voters. Shifts in population can impact a nation. In the World War II era, more than 700,000 African-Americans moved from the south to the north for factory jobs. This was called the Great Migration. Such a population shift would change the dynamics in each community where the population shifted. Today, the American Southwest is seeing a growing Hispanic population. Such a shift in population also changes voting and public opinion on that region. A shift in population can also impact the number of seats a state gets in the House of Representatives. A state or country has to have territory - established boundaries. Our continental boundaries are the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and also recognize borders with Canada and Mexico. The exact location of a border is sometimes a source of conflict between nations. A third key characteristic is sovereignty, or absolute authority, meaning a state (country) has complete independence and power to make laws, conduct foreign policy, and determine the course of action for the country. Finally, a fourth characteristic is a government. All countries have a government, which is an institution through which the country maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that are biding on all of its residents. **What are the four essential features of a country? Shade-Central City School District has 3 of those features - which one doesn't Shade have? How do you know?**

4. In John Locke's Second Treatise of Government, he said "//...and it is not without reason that man seeks out and is willing to join in society with others...for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties, and estates, which I call by the general name property."// **According to Locke, why do people willingly form a government (society) with rules? Why would property rights be one of the reasons Locke stated (obviously we all want our lives and freedom protected)?**

5. There are four major purposes of government. In order to fulfill these functions, government makes laws or rules that everyone must follow - and they have the authority to punish those who do not follow them. Government derives its authority from legitimacy and their ability to use force. Legitimacy means the willingness of the citizens to obey the government. Citizens will obey a government they view as legitimate, even if the citizens don't always agree with what the government is doing. Basically, the people vote for officials and then trust those officials to have power. One major purpose is to maintain social order. The social-contract theory says that people are willing to form a society, or government, to protect their lives, liberties, and property. Governments provide a means to resolve conflicts in society, such as the court system. Governments also require people to do things they wouldn't normally do voluntarily such as pay taxes. Another purpose is to provide services. Such services include building sewage systems for a city and its residents, laying utility lines, paving roads, and creating a water supply system. Government also provides services for our health and safety such as inspecting food and medicine, having housing and building codes, and establishing rules for various licenses and permits. A third task of government is to protect hte people against attack by other states or from threats such as terrorism. This means that a third purpose is to provide national security. This was clearly an area the founders saw as federal necessity since the states were not competent to handle national security on their own. A fourth feature is to make economic decisions. Nations vary greatly in their ability to provide their citizens. Ideologies differ on how much the government should provide for citizens and therefore how high taxes should be and what all items need to be taxed to provide such goods and services. Economic decisions include how best to encourage job and business growth. **Why is it important for a nation to have legitimacy?**

6. Use the above paragraph: **In the U.S., how does the government maintain social order? ...provide public services? ...provide national security? ...make economic decisions?**

7. There are three major systems of government. A system of government is how power is divided or used between a central government in a nation and subdivisions (like cities or other divisions). A unitary system of government gives all key powers to the central government. This means that the central government is the unit with the power over the entire country. Britain and France are examples of unitary systems. The positive of this type of system is that is uniform in the entire nation but the negative is that there is a lack of flexibility from city to city. A confederation is a loose union of independent countries. The subdivisions have all of the power and the central government really has no true power. The United Nations is an example of how a confederal system would work. A federal system is the type of system the U.S. has (as well as Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, Australia, India, and Russia). The government divides the power of government between the national and state or provincial government. **How is the U.S. system of government a federal system?**

8. A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. Constitutional government, however, has a special meaning. It refers to a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern. Just because a nation has a constitution doesn't make that country a constitutional government. China has a constitution, but certain isn't a limited form of government. Most constitutions state the goals of the constitution - the goals of the U.S. Constitution are stated in the Preamble. Constitutions set up a framework for government. The main part of a constitution, its articles, explain how the government works. Constitutions are the highest law of the land. Constitutional law is the field of law that studies questions on how to interpret the Constitution - how far government power extends, for example. **What makes the U.S. a constitutional government (answer isn't just because we have a constitution)?**

9. The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government is called politics. The Constitution did not prevent the development of politics because politics and government are closely related. Political parties have formed to attempt to gain government power. People are taking part in politics when they join a citizens' group protesting higher taxes, for example. Legislators (or lawmakers) are acting politically when they vote on laws. People often participate in politics because they are seeking government benefits. Different people and different groups have their own ideas on where government money should be spent. Some groups may want more spending on roads, while others favor more spending on education or defense. Some feel the government spends too much and should cut. Through politics, conflict in society are managed. As people and groups compete for different government policies, there is often compromises made that both sides of an issue will accept. Interest groups often form by people with a specific goal who aim to influence government decisions. For example, anti-abortion groups try to get anti-abortion laws where as pro-abortion groups don't want laws that restrict the killing of an unborn baby. Groups exist on numerous interests. **Do you think interest groups are good because it's democracy in action where people are taking part or bad since some groups have more money and resources than others? Explain:**

10. The U.S. government conducts policy in a complex world. The U.S. along with about 20 other countries are industrialized nations. Industrialized nations have generally large industries and advanced technology that provide a more comfortable way of life than developing nations have. Developing nations are only beginning to develop industrially. Nations today are more interdependent, which means that nations must interact or depend upon one another, especially economically and politically. Global interdependence is increasing due to growing industrialization and rapid technological advances in manufacturing, transportation, and telecommunications. Te Internet is linking billions of peole, and soon half the world's population will have access to the World Wide Web. International organizations exist, which are groups that operate beyond borders. Terrorist organizations, such as the PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization that conducts violence against Israel since the Palestinians aim to take land from Israel to make their own nation) and others use violence to attain a political goal. Al Qaeda attacked the U.S. on 9/11. Multinational corporations are huge companies with offices and factories in various nations. Nongovernmental organizations are groups work to achieve goals in multiple nations, such as Doctors Without Borders, which works to provide medical and health services to people suffering from internal wars. **How do terrorist organizations aim to achieve goals?**

11. Use the above paragraph: **What is a multinational corporation? What is a nongovernmental organization? How do these two contribute to interdependence among nations?**

12. There are various types of governments. An autocracy is rule by one, usually either a dictator (power by fear or force) or a monarchy (king or queen with power by birth). An oligarchy is rule by a few, such as communist nations or theocracies (rule by religious leaders). Democracy is rule by the people. There are two types - Direct Democracy in which the people make all decisions on all issues and a Republic in which voters elect leaders to make decisions on their behalf. There are several characteristics of democracy. One is individual liberty. In a democracy, people are free to develop their talents. A second characteristic is majority rule with minority rights. Democracy requires government decisions to be based on the will of the majority. At the same time, the American concept of democracy includes a concern about the tyranny of the majority. The Constitution protects the rights of those in the minority as well. Free elections are a third characteristic. All genuine democracies have free and open elections (unlike Joseph Stalin winning an election when his name was the only one of the ballot)! Everyone's vote must carry the same weight. Candidates must be free to express their views. Citizens are free to help candidates or support issues. There can be requirements for voting eligibility. A fourth characteristic is that there are competing political parties. A political party is a group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy. **How does the U.S. fit into the four characteristics of a democracy?**

13. Democracy calls for certain conditions that have only developed since the Industrial Revolution. To sustain a democracy, five elements are essential. One is citizen participation. Democracy requires citizens who are willing to participate in civic life. A strong democracy is best maintained in nations where citizens inform themselves, actively participate in campaigns, vote, and serve on juries. A second essential is a favorable economy. A society where everyone has a chance, through hard work, to earn success is important. The American economy is a free enterprise system in which private business is free to operate with little government regulation. During severe depressions, dictators have often come to power because they promised citizens jobs. Unemployed people tend to worry more about eating and feeding their families more than their political rights. This makes it easy for a dictator (or in America, a progressive) to gain power. A third essential element is widespread education. The U.S. offers a free education to all children. Some will take advantage of this education and prosper, others will not take advantage of getting educated and will therefore struggle. Pennsylvania was the first state to fund public schools in 1835. Today, all states do. A fourth element that is essential is a strong civil society, which refers to private, nongovernmental aspects. Civil society is made up of a complex network of voluntary associations - economic, political, charitable, religious, and many other kinds of groups that exist outside government. Examples in the U.S. include the Red Cross, National Rifle Association, churches, newspapers, labor unions, and business groups to name a few. It's through such organizations that citizens make their views known. A fifth essential element is a social consensus. Democracy can prosper where most people accept democratic values such as individual liberty and equality in terms of opportunity and fair treatment under the law. Such countries are said to have a social consensus. People also must generally agree about the purpose and limits of government. **Which do you feel is the most essential element? Why? Also, why is education important for a democracy to function successfully?**

14. Economics is the study of how limited resources are used to satisfy people's seemingly unlimited wants. Resources include natural resources such as land and water, as well as human resources such as knowledge and labor (workers). Political systems in some nations allow the free market to determine how resources are used while others use government regulation or control to allocate resources. For the most part, the United States operates by the free market system although the government is involved in our economic system. Typically, liberals want more government involvement in the American economy while conservatives favor less government interference in economics. In America's free enterprise system, a person can earn wealth through hard work and education. All Americans have the opportunity to earn an education and take the career path of their choice. Some people will work hard and succeed, while others won't. **How does the free enterprise system contribute to the idea of individual rights and freedoms?**

15. Capitalism is an economic system in which freedom of choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises are emphasized. The five major characteristics of capitalism are private ownership and control of property and resources, free enterprise, competition, freedom of choice, and the possibility to earn profits. In 1776, Adam Smith wrote //The Wealth of Nations// in which he suggested that governments should leave the economy alone as much as possible - he wanted a laissez-faire ("hands off") approach. He wrote that the market would act like an "invisible hand" guiding economic choices for the best possible results. It is the action of buyers and sellers, not the government, that determines what is produced and bought. Competition plays a key role in this kind of economy because sellers compete over resources to produce goods or services at reasonable prices. America isn't pure capitalist in terms of economics. The American economy does experience some government regulations, which are rules that businesses have to follow that are set by the government. Sine the Progressive Era in the early 1900s, government role in the economy has steadily increased. Regulations have involved safety and health requirements that businesses must follow. Some regulations are necessary for safety of workers and consumers, but too many rules and regulations, especially ones that cost businesses money, can become burdensome on a business and can force businesses to close up shop or lay off workers in order to pay to comply to regulations set by the government. Some economists call the U.S. economic system a mixed economy since the U.S. has private ownership of business and property, but there is some government involvement. **Why is the American economy considered a mixed economy? Why can too much government interference in businesses - such as more and more rules and regulations - be harmful for a business?**

16. **Why do you think a laissez-faire approach to economics (government staying out of the way) is better for economic growth than complete government control over business and property? Think in terms of incentive to work hard.**

17. Socialism is an economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, determines the use of resources, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as education, health care, and welfare. Socialists believe that the government should direct all economic activity and redistribute wealth from those who have a lot to those who don't have much. The problem for a socialist economy is that there is no incentive to work hard. Historically, there has never been a successful attempt at socialism. Probably the biggest example today is how China has recently grown economically as it moved away from socialism and began to embrace more capitalism. In addition, socialism often leads to a dictatorship since there is total government control of the economy. Socialism make a nation reliant on the government rather than self-reliant. Socialists who are committed to democracy in the political sphere but want more redistribution of wealth set up nations as democratic socialist nations. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and other nations in Western Europe. These nations provide cradle-to-grave entitlements, have very high tax rates, very high government debt, and are less productive with less incentive for productivity. Progressives in the United States aim to be more like the nations of Europe. **What is the characteristic of Democratic Socialist nations and why are they negative?**

18. Communism was first suggested by Karl Marx when he wrote //The Communist Manifesto// and then expanded on his ideas in //Das Kapital//. Marx called the working class the proletariat and the owners as the bourgeoisie. Marx claimed that there would be class struggle between the working class and the capitalists until the workers overthrew the capitalists. Marx predicted that under communism the government would own the means of production in a socialist economic system with no classes. All property would be held in common. Nations that set up communist governments either collapsed (such as the Soviet Union and the Communist Bloc nations after WWII) or are nations of oppression and high poverty (such as North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Vietnam). The system that gets set up is a command economy because decisions are made at the upper levels of government and handed down to managers. The state owns the land, natural resources, industry, banks, and transportation facilities. The state controls mass communication such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, the Internet, and the movie industry. Mao Tse-tung set up communist in China in 1949 and was very oppressive with high poverty, but complete government control. In recent times, China has grown closer to capitalism economically, while still limiting freedoms, however, politically. **In terms of government vs. individual freedom, which increases under Communism?**

19. Opponents of socialism are against it because nations with socialism (Communist or Social Democracies) see very high taxes on all goods and services and these societies lack initiative (not much incentive to be successful because all wealth is redistributed evenly). **Is America's mixed economy - private ownership with some government involvement - better than Communism or Democratic Socialist nations? Explain. How does capitalism offer incentives for hard work?**

20. The Declaration of Independence is not part of the U.S. Constitution and is not considered a legal document upon which the government of the United States is based. It did, however, put into simple terms the reasons why the original thirteen colonies were seeking to form their own nation. //We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…// //Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations…// //He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…// //He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures…// //For quartering large bodies of troops among us…// //For imposing taxes on us without our consent…//

**How does the Declaration of Independence echo the ideas of John Locke?**
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