Foundations of Government

States must a have people. Without them there is no one to govern and no reason for a state to exist. States and their populations have unique cultures, histories, traditions and values.

• Territory
• Population
• Sovereignty 
• Government

A state has established boundaries. For example, the borders of the United States are recognized by its citizens, its neighbors, and the international community. the exact shape of political boundaries is often a source of conflict among states. Territorial boundaries may change as a result of war, negotiations, or purchase.

• Population
• Sovereignty
• Government
• Territory 

The key characteristic of a state is sovereignty. Political sovereignty means the state has supreme and absolute authority within its boundaries. It has complete independence and power to make laws and foreign policy and determine its course of action. In theory, at least no state has the right to interfere with the internal affairs of another state.

• Sovereignty
• Poplulation
• Government
• Territory

States must have someone in charge. A government makes and enforces its own laws for its own people. Government provides leadership, maintains order, provides public services, offers defense and security, and makes decisions about how to establish economic security for its people.

• Population
• Territory
• Sovereignty
• Government

This theory believed that the notion of state evolved from the family.

• Evolutionary Theory
• Force Theory
• Divine Right Theory
• Social Contract Theory

This theory emerged when people needed to cooperate to survive but could become organized only when one or more people took control.

• Force Theory
• Divine Right
• Social Theory
• Evolutionary 

The idea that certain people are chosen by a god or gods to rule.

• Evolutionary Theory
• Force Theory
• Divine Right Theory
• Social Contract Theory

Theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state, in turn agrees to protect its citizens

• Social Contract Theory
• Divine Right Theory
• Force Theory
• Evolutionary Theory