Government: Types, Principles, and American Political Ideals
Government: The Institution of Public Policy
Powers of Government
- Legislative Power: Making laws and public policies
- Executive Power: Executing, enforcing, and administering laws
- Judicial Power: Interpreting laws, determining their meaning, and settling disputes
Types of Governments
Autocracy
* One person holds unlimited political power
Oligarchy
* A small elite holds the power to rule
Theocracy
* Legal system based on religious law
Unitary Government
* Single, central agency holds all governmental powers
Federal Government
* Central government and local governments share powers
Presidential Government
* Power divided between branches
Parliamentary Government
* Power focused on the legislative branch
Principles of Government in the Constitution’s Preamble
* Form a more perfect Union * Establish Justice * Insure domestic Tranquility * Provide for the common defense * Promote the general Welfare * Secure the Blessings of Liberty
Origins of American Political Ideals
* Ordered Government: Orderly regulation of relationships * Limited Government: Government’s powers are restricted, individuals have certain rights * Representative Government: Government serves the will of the people
Historical Documents Influencing American Government
* Magna Carta: Guarantees of trial by jury and due process * Petition of Right: Limits the king’s power, prohibits imprisonment without lawful judgment * English Bill of Rights: Prohibits standing army in peacetime, requires free parliamentary elections
Types of Colonies
* Royal Colonies: Direct control of the Crown * Proprietary Colonies: Organized by a proprietor granted land by the king * Charter Colonies: Established by agreement with the British government, laws not subject to governor’s veto or Crown’s approval
The President’s Roles
* Chief of State * Chief Executive * Chief Administrator * Chief Diplomat * Chief Legislator * Commander in Chief * Chief Economist * Chief of his affiliation party * Chief Citizen
Unalienable Rights
* Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the Constitution * Civil Liberties: Protections against government, including freedom of speech, religion, press, and fair trial * Civil Rights: Positive acts of government to ensure constitutional guarantees for all
Diversity and Discrimination
The unalienable rightsSlander: False and malicious use of spoken words. Picketing: Patrolling of a business site by workers who are on strike Symbolic Speech: Expression by conduct; communicating ideas through facial expression, body language, or by carrying a sign or wearing an arm band or even burning an American flag.Libel: False and malicious use of printed words Constitution declares that a person may become an American citizen by birth or by naturalization. Public opinion :those attitudes held by a significant number of people on matters of government and politics. Factors that influence people’s public opinion. family, school, mass media, peer groups ,opinion, leaders ,historic events.