American Government: Foundations of Government

American Government

The Purpose and Creation of Government

Learning Target:

Today I will:

●Examine why governments are needed.

●Identify the 4 theories of the creation of government.

●Evaluate the 4 theories of the creation of government.

I will show this by:

●Actively participating in the class discussion

●Completing the group activity on why create a government

●Sketch noting important ideas and concepts

Why do people create governments?

Based on The Island Activity we did in class the other day, why do people need
government?

How do people create government?

Anarchy-
●

Absence of Government

●

Perfect state of nature

Open Ended

How might anarchy cause people to create some sort of government.

What are the ways in which people create
government?

Define government:

●Institution through which a society makes
and enforces its public policies.

○(public policies) are all those things the
government decides to do.

What are the ways in which people create
government?

Features of a state:

1.Population:

a.Populations have unique characteristics

2.Territory:

a.Established boundaries

3.Sovereignty:

a.Supreme and absolute authority with-in its boundaries

4.Government:

a.Makes Rules, Provides leadership

Multiple Choice

What is sovereignty, and why is it an essential element of a state?

• Sovereignty is the ability of a state to control the weather and natural disasters.
• Sovereignty is the name of a popular video game.
• Sovereignty is the practice of sharing power with neighboring countries.
• Sovereignty is the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without interference from external sources.

How do states (governments) form?

Force Theory-

●One person or group of people
controls one area and forces
everyone in that area to submit to
that person or groups rule!

How do states (governments) form?

The evolution theory-

●The idea that states
originated from the
family.

●The family grows into a
clan

●The clan becomes a tribe

●Tribe settles down state
rises

How do states (governments) form?

The Divine Right Theory-

●The state is created by
God and god has given
those who were born into
royalty the “Divine right to
rule”.

●Disobeying your ruler is
like disobeying God!

How do Governments form?

Social Contract Theory

●The theory that human
beings, by contract, within
certain area agree to give
up as much power to the
state as necessary to
promote the welfare of all.
The state arises out of
voluntary acts of all free
people in order to protect
their life and property.

Categorize

Options (17)

A military leader leads a coupe

An army takes control of the government

An uprising of military personnel overthrows the ruling regime

A military general seizes power through force

An armed rebellion results in a change of leadership

A social contract is formed between citizens and the government

Citizens agree to give up certain freedoms in exchange for protection and order

The government's legitimacy is based on the consent of the governed

Citizens have a duty to obey the government in exchange for security and stability

The social contract creates a mutual obligation between citizens and the state

A monarch is believed to rule by divine right

A king is considered to be chosen by God to rule

A queen's authority is believed to be granted by a higher power

A ruler's legitimacy is based on divine sanction

A royal family claims to have a divine mandate to govern

A Father and Grandfather ruled over the family

A Native American Tribe

Organize these options into the right categories

Force Theory

Social Contract Theory

Divine Right Theory

Evolution Theory