POLS 206 1st Edition Lecture 1Outline of Current Lecture - What is Government?-What is its purpose?- What is Politics?-Different types of governmentsCurrent Lecture What is Government? A. Formally, it is the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for societyi. Essentially, government is there to keep society in orderB. Why does Government exist?-political philosopher style: Society Contract Theoryi. 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 andnature 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 defenseii. Collect taxes-citizens contribute to the systemiii. Socialize the young-education system, learn basic things about life (example: basic hygiene)iv. Preserve order-military and police departmentsv. Provide public services-benefits everyone gets, though no one wants to pay for, so the Government doesWhat is Politics? A. Policy-making and the people participatingi. people expect the government to solve the problems facing the people-penalize the Government through the pollsii. 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 ruleiv.Plutocracy- Rule by the wealthyv. 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
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