Jbrook

CHAPTER 1

SECTION 1: Government and the State

1. Government – The institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

2. Public Policies – ideas that a government decides to do ranging from taxation, defense, education, crime, healthcare, transportation, the environment, civil rights and working conditions.

a. Basic kinds of Power:

b. Legislations power – the power to make law and to frame public policies

c. Executive power – the power to execute, enforce, and administer law

d. Judicial power – the power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning and to settle disputes that arise within the society.

3. Constitution – The three branches are outlined in this body of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures and processes of government.

4. Dictatorship – When the government powers are held by a single person. Those in charge are not ruling by the will of the people.

5. Democracy – When the powers of government rests with the majority of the people.

e. Government is one of the oldest of human inventions – evidence in ancient Egypt and the 6th century B.C. – Greek Philosopher Aristotle said “Man is by nature a political animal”. Politics is a process, while government is an institution.

6. State – a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically (with government) and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority.

f. More than 200 states in the world

g. State describes a legal entity

i. Nation – is an ethnic term referring to races or other large groups of people.

ii. Country – a geographic term, referring to a particular place, region, or area of land.

h. Population – A state must have people. Size of population doesn’t reflect the existence of a state.

i. Territory – Land with known and recognized boundaries.

iii. Vatican City – population of less than...