POLS 206 1st Edition Lecture 1 Outline of Current Lecture What is Government What is its purpose What is Politics Different types of governments Current Lecture What is Government A Formally it is the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society i Essentially government is there to keep society in order B Why does Government exist political philosopher style Society Contract Theory i Jean Jacques Rousseau Believed in idea to give a voice to the general will and that a general will life does not have to be moral but a individuals are moral ii Thomas Hobbes Believed in a more pessimistic view in that the life of man and nature is solitary poor nasty brutish and short Because of this people need something to shock and awe them People are afraid of dying and so need protection and leadership Government provides this though it more than about protection iii John Locke Believed in state of nature a farm type system however there are flaws in his system He made Libels idea society comes together to help Government protects life liberty and property C What is the purpose of Government i Maintain a national defense ii Collect taxes citizens contribute to the system iii Socialize the young education system learn basic things about life example basic hygiene iv Preserve order military and police departments v Provide public services benefits everyone gets though no one wants to pay for so the Government does What is Politics A Policy making and the people participating i people expect the government to solve the problems facing the peoplepenalize the Government through the polls ii People shape policy through linkage institutions the political channels through which peoples concerns become political issues on the policy agenda elections political parties interest groups etc B Do all governments function the same way No i Autocracy one leader Monarchy and Dictatorship ii Theocracy Rule by religion seen a lot in Middle East iii Meritocracy Person people best suited to rule iv Plutocracy Rule by the wealthy v Aristocracy Elite group of people chosen to lead though do not have to be wealthy vi Democracy Citizens have equal say in government decisions Direct citizens decide on practically everything seen in Athens Greece Representative Citizens choose people to represent them seen in big societies such as the U S though U S is more of a Republic
View Full Document
Unlocking...