Reading Essentials Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 PDF

NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the purposes of government? Reading HELPDESK Academic Vocabulary philos...

NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the purposes of government? Reading HELPDESK Academic Vocabulary philosopher one who engages in the pursuit of wisdom theory speculation based on study Content Vocabulary anarchy a state without government and laws government an institution through which leaders exercise power to make and enforce laws affecting the people under its control nation a group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes, religion state a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government country a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government sovereignty the supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries divine right the idea that people are chosen by a god or gods to rule social contract 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 TAKING NOTES: Key Ideas and Details EXPLAINING Use the graphic organizer to explain the major theories on the origins of the state. Theory Explanation 1 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued ESSENTIAL QUESTION What are the purposes of government? Work with a partner to imagine each of the following situations. For each: Suggest two adjectives that describe the situation. Explain how you might feel if you were in this situation. Consider what kinds of people or groups might “do well” in an environment like this. Propose a way that the situation may have been prevented or controlled and by whom. a. You arrive to school and settle into your desk, but there is no teacher. You and your classmates realize there are no teachers, no administrators, and no security—only other students. No one can communicate with anyone outside of the building and the doors are locked so no one can leave. Some of the most rowdy students begin planning a “day of pandemonium.” You do not know what they intend. b. After a major hurricane, the power, phone, and Internet lines in your city have been out for more than a week. You hear a rumor that groups of armed gangsters are roaming the streets. You have spent four sleepless nights guarding your parents’ store from looters. c. Your country is in the midst of a devastating famine. Thousands of people have already died of starvation. A truck carrying flour, sugar, water, and medicine is scheduled to arrive in the center of your town today. As you wait, hundreds of people from another town show up. Fights break out when people cut in line. When the truck drivers see the hostile crowd, they are afraid and consider leaving. The Functions of Government Guiding Question What is government, and what are its basic functions? Most humans would not choose to live in chaos and turmoil, where mobs rule the land through fear and violence. These conditions describe anarchy, or a state without government and laws. Some people believe governments exist to prevent situations like those described above. Legal and working governments create order, protect the people, and give the people ways to settle disputes fairly and peacefully. Government is a system in which leaders use power to make and enforce laws that affect the people under its control. People create governments for many reasons. Governments provide leadership, order, security, and defense. They also provide public services, economic help, and economic security. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education To fulfill these purposes, governments make rules that everyone must follow—and they have the authority to punish those who do not follow them. These systems of laws create social, economic, and personal benefits for the people the government governs. All governments serve these purposes, whether those leaders are chosen by the people or take control for themselves. Providing Leadership Government officials set priorities and make all sorts of decisions on behalf of the people. They decide what actions are crimes and what the punishment for these crimes will be. They make decisions about who has to pay taxes and how much they have to pay. They decide who benefits from natural resources 2 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued like coal and natural gas. They can require that people do things they might not do voluntarily, such as pay taxes or serve in the army. Without leadership, a state is in danger of collapsing into chaos and anarchy. Maintaining Order In nearly any group, people will disagree. Some people might take advantage of others. Two neighbors might argue about property lines. Parents may argue over a bad call by a referee at their child’s soccer game. Conflict is an unavoidable part of life. Governments try to control and contain conflict between people by placing limits on what individuals are allowed to do. Governments provide some sort of domestic security force—police or a national guard—to enforce laws and to keep peace. Governments provide courts and other ways for people to resolve their conflicts. They also punish people who break laws. Without government, civilized life would be impossible. An effective government allows citizens to plan for the future, get an education, raise a family, and live orderly lives. According to Abraham Lincoln, the purpose of government is to provide people with what they need but cannot provide for themselves individually. Exploring The Essential Question Analyzing Point of View Do you agree or disagree with Lincoln’s view of the proper role of government? Explain your answer. Providing Public Services Governments create schools, build sewer systems, and pave roads. They provide other services that individuals cannot or will not do on their own. Some government services promote public health and safety. For example, most fire departments are funded (at least in part) by governments. In the United States, government officials enforce housing codes and inspect meat that is sold in markets. State governments make laws that require drivers to pass a driving test before they can get a driver’s license. Providing National Security Another task of government is to protect the people against attack by another country or by terrorists. Today’s world faces threats such as nuclear weapons, spy satellites, international terrorists, and huge armies. Providing for the safety of a nation’s citizens is a complex and demanding job. The U.S. federal government is mainly responsible for national security. State governments may have relationships with other nations for the purpose of trade or cultural exchange, but the national government can place limits on these relationships. 3 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued Providing Economic Security and Economic Assistance Just as they protect national security, governments also protect the economic security of their people. Governments make trade deals with other countries and try to protect businesses that strengthen their own economies. Governments often get involved in the economic affairs of other nations. Some do this to promote their own national security. For example, after World War II, the United States funded the Marshall Plan to help Europeans rebuild their economies. The U.S. government worried that a lack of jobs, food, and money could lead to European states being overthrown by communists. Within their own countries, governments can also make policies to protect the economic security of their people. Governments usually try to promote economic growth and stability by encouraging trade and regulating the development of natural resources. Governments can enforce contracts between businesses and regulate when banks can take control of homes if the owners fail to make their house payments. Even in a wealthy country like the United States, many people lack food, clothing, and housing. This problem is far greater in many other nations. Governments can provide assistance to people in need. This assistance might be in the form of food aid or rental housing for low-income families. Governments vary greatly in how much economic aid they give their citizens. No country can provide its citizens with everything they need or want. Reading Progress Check Listing What do governments provide their citizens? Exploring The Essential Question Categorizing Think about how the government affects your daily life—from the time you wake up until the time you go to sleep. For example, the water you brushed your teeth with is purified according to standards required by the government. List ten examples of government involvement in your life and then categorize them according to the purposes Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education of government listed above. 4 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued Nation, State, and Country Guiding Question What is the difference between a nation and a state or a country? The terms nation, country, and state are sometimes used in place of each other. Technically, a nation is a large group of people who believe themselves united by common bonds of race, language, custom, or religion. For example, some groups, such as the Kurds, consider themselves a nation but do not have their own country. Many people in the United States think of a state as a part of the whole country, like the state of Texas. But the term state also means something larger. A state is a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government. The term country has the same meaning. A state has sovereignty—that is, its government makes and enforces its own laws without approval from any other authority. The term state likely came from the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. He believed a state was a town and its surrounding area where people could communicate face-to-face and be governed. According to Aristotle, anyone who has the power to take part in the affairs of a state is a citizen of that state. The states that make up today’s political world share four essential features: population, territory, sovereignty, and government. Reading Progress Check Defining How are the terms nation, state, and country defined? Origins of the State Guiding Question Why and how were governments created? No one knows precisely how or why people created the first governments. However, scholars have several theories to explain their origins. Evolutionary Theory Some scholars believe that the notion of state evolved from the family. The heads of ancient families served as the authority over the group. Extended families might include hundreds of people. For example, according to Christian, Jewish, and Muslim religious beliefs, Abraham was a patriarch who became known as the “Father to many nations.” Supporters of this theory believe government was created because extended families needed to be more organized. Some modern Native American groups continue to be governed according to family and clan traditions. 5 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued Force Theory According to the force theory, states emerged when people needed to cooperate to survive but could only become organized when one or more people took control. For example, some people built walls around their city to keep out enemies. The strongest leaders used violence and the threat of violence to control their own people to get the work done. A state emerged when everyone in an area was brought under the authority of one person or group by use of force. Divine Right Theory The idea that certain people are chosen by a god or gods to rule is very old. The ancient Egyptians, Chinese, Maya, and Aztec all believed that their rulers were either descendants of gods or chosen by gods. The term divine right , however, refers particularly to European monarchs in the 1600s and 1700s. These rulers proclaimed that their right to rule came from God alone. The state existed to serve the demands of God. To oppose the monarch was to oppose God. This was not only a crime against the monarch but was also a sin against God. Social Contract Theory Some people believe states exist to protect and to serve their people. Without a state or government, people would live in a “state of nature” where life would be “nasty, brutish, and short.” In the 1650s, English philosopher Thomas Hobbes wrote that no decent life would be possible without order and protection. In the social contract that Hobbes pictured, people gave up their freedom to the state. In return, the state provided them with order and security. Fellow Englishman John Locke had a different view on the terms of the social contract. He claimed the people had natural rights. In his view, the social contract was made between the people and a government that promised to preserve these rights. Locke’s ideas about the social contract helped shape the development of democratic governments, including the United States. Reading Progress Check Summarizing What are the major theories of the origins of the state? Which do you find most convincing and why? Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education 6 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 1 Purposes and Origins of Government, continued Exploring The Essential Question Defending Write a persuasive paragraph to convince a friend or relative why government is necessary. As you write, think about the origin of the state theories. Do you believe government exists to carry out God’s will and leaders are chosen by God or gods? Do you believe governments exist to provide security and order for their people? Do you have a different theory? Explain your ideas thoroughly and share your paragraph with a friend or relative. 7 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government ESSENTIAL QUESTION What principles guide different types of government? Reading HELPDESK Academic Vocabulary assembly a gathering institution establishment practice, or social organization Content Vocabulary unitary system a government that gives all key powers to the national or central government confederacy a loose union of independent states federal system a government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments constitution a plan that provides the rules for government constitutional government a government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern authoritarian controlling all aspects of citizens’ economic, political, and social lives totalitarianism a system of government in which the government has total control dictatorship a system of government in which power is in the hands of one person who has total control oligarchy a system of government in which a small group holds power monarchy a system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government democracy government in which the people rule republic a government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives, responsible to the people, exercise that power TAKING NOTES: Key Ideas and Details DESCRIBING Use the graphic organizer to describe the advantages and disadvantages of different systems of governments. System of Government Description Advantages Disadvantages 1 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued ESSENTIAL QUESTION What principles guide different types of government? The United States and many other countries around the world are democracies. What does the idea of democracy mean to you? What do you think are the most important characteristics of a democratic form of government? List them in order of importance. Systems of Government Guiding Question How is a federal system of government different from a unitary or confederate one? All governments reflect their society’s history and culture. All societies must organize their governments to carry out important functions. Political scientists classify governments according to how democratic they are and how power is divided between the larger society (like a country) and its smaller parts (like cities, counties, states, or provinces). Unitary System A unitary system of government gives all key powers to the central government. This does not mean that only one level of government exists. It means the powers that states or local governments have are those given to them by the central government. Japan, France, and Bolivia are examples of present-day unitary governments. Centralized power can be an advantage. However, there is less power given to local governments, which can be a disadvantage. Confederate System When the United States first became independent from Great Britain, it formed a confederacy—a loose union of independent and sovereign states. The new nation had many struggles under their constitution, which was called the Articles of Confederation. As a result, the early leaders decided to create a new form of government that gave more power to the national government. The Constitution gave the national government limited and specific powers. All other powers were left to the states. Today, few countries are confederacies. The Asian nation called the Federated States of Micronesia is one example. It has a very weak central government and four independent states that have the most authority, especially over their budgets. This weak central power was a disadvantage of this system. An advantage was the power it gave to the states. Federal System A federal system of government divides the powers of government between the national and state or Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education provincial government. Each level of government has sovereignty in some areas. The United States developed a federal system when it wrote its Constitution. Many nations are run using a federal system, including Brazil. On a smaller scale, individual states in the United States may have their own structure of government. Some states are unitary and make almost all important decisions for the whole state. In other states, power is shared with cities or counties. For example, Maryland gives its counties much more authority to make their own decisions than most states. 2 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued An advantage of the federal system is how it shares power among different levels of government but still has more centralized power than a confederate system. A disadvantage may be that each level of government can make its own laws. Reading Progress Check Explaining What made the initial U.S. system of government a confederacy? Constitutional Governments Guiding Question How is a constitutional government different than a country without a constitution? A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. A constitution serves several major purposes: (1) it identifies ideals that the people bound by the constitution believe in and share, (2) it establishes the basic structure of government and defines the government’s powers and duties, and (3) it provides the supreme law for the country. Constitutions provide rules that shape the actions of government, much as the rules of soccer define the action in a soccer match. Constitutions may be written or unwritten. In most modern states, constitutions are written. The United States Constitution was created in 1787. It is the oldest written constitution still serving a nation today. Other nations with written constitutions include France, Kenya, India, and Italy. Great Britain, on the other hand, has an unwritten constitution based on hundreds of years of legislation, court decisions, and customs. A written constitution may be clearer and provide more guidance than an unwritten one. The term constitutional government refers to a government in which a constitution places clear limits on the powers of government officials. Thus, constitutional government is limited government. A country does not have a constitutional government simply because it has a written constitution. It must operate according to the principles in that constitution. Constitutions are important but incomplete guides to how a country is governed. They are incomplete for two reasons. First, no written constitution can spell out all the laws, customs, and ideas that evolve around it. For example, in the United States, until Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president four times, it was the custom but not the law that no person could be elected president more than twice. Only when the Twenty-second Amendment was passed did the law limit a president to two terms in office. Second, governments do not always follow the laws of their constitution. The People’s Republic of China has a written constitution filled with statements about the rights, freedoms, and duties of citizens. However, the Chinese government does not allow its people to exercise many of those rights and freedoms. For years, the Chinese government has used a police force to spy on its people. Citizens who question or criticize the government can be arrested. Anyone who voices their ideas or opinions 3 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued risks being punished. The Chinese government also has a system of firewalls to censor Internet use. These firewalls stop Chinese citizens from accessing websites that are freely available around the world. Blocked sites include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and most sites that report news or information related to political activism. The firewalls prevent online searches for politically sensitive terms and block all news stories that may embarrass or expose government officials. Government censorship also stops email, online messaging, and blog posts from dissidents. Reading Progress Check Listing What are the major purposes of a constitution? Major Types of Government Guiding Question What are the differences between authoritarian and democratic governments? Over the centuries, people have organized their governments in many different ways. In Saudi Arabia the ruling royal family controls the government and its resources. Family members choose the king from among themselves. In Sweden the people elect the Riksdag, which is the name for the Swedish national legislature. In turn, the Riksdag selects the prime minister to carry out the laws. In the Netherlands the government consists of a queen and a cabinet of ministers. The cabinet ministers are elected by the people to make laws. The queen reviews new laws and helps select cabinet ministers. Governments can be classified in many ways. One way is based on how power and benefits are assigned. Who governs? Who or what gives the government its power? Who benefits from government? Imagine a line with one end labeled authoritarian and the other end labeled democratic. Governments that control all aspects of citizens’ economic, political, and social lives are authoritarian. Governments that give people economic, social, and political freedoms are democratic. In fact, the democratic system depends on citizen participation. All countries’ governments can be classified as somewhere between democratic and authoritarian. Authoritarian Governments In countries with authoritarian governments, the leadership controls every part of citizens’ economic Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education and social lives. These are sometimes referred to as totalitarian states because the government has total control. Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany and Joseph Stalin in Soviet Russia tried to control every aspect of civilian life, not just government institutions (such as schools, courts, and public services). Power was in the hands of one or a few people, and citizens were not allowed to oppose the government. Sometimes, authoritarian governments appear to have democratic features. For example, they may hold elections. However, if only one candidate runs for office, or opponents of the current leaders are kept from running, the elections are not honest. Some authoritarian leaders have even been elected in a democratic election, but once they took office they seized power and took total control. 4 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued In authoritarian nations, there are few, if any, political freedoms. Citizens are often denied the freedom of speech and the freedom of assembly (the right of citizens to gather). The media—like newspapers, television stations, and radio stations—are typically owned and controlled by the government. There are few restrictions on the power of government, so it is difficult to contain corruption. Authoritarian governments use ruthless force or the threat of force to maintain order. Often, people in minority groups are oppressed. For example, from 1947 through 1989, Romania had a brutal authoritarian government. Many hardships were caused by a bad economy. Food and electricity were rationed. The government had a secret police force that made neighbors and families spy on each other. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of citizens were tortured or killed by their government for political, economic, or unknown reasons. Minority groups such as the Roma and ethnic Hungarians were treated even worse than others. In 1989 protesters rose up and executed their dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu. This began a slow but steady move toward democracy. Authoritarian governments can differ according to how many people have power. In a dictatorship, power is in the hands of one person. The dictator has total control. Romania’s Ceausescu and Cambodia’s Pol Pot were dictators. An authoritarian government that gives power to a few people or one political party is called an oligarchy. Oligarchs get their power from their wealth, social position, military power, or a combination of these factors. Examples include Vietnam and the Soviet Union under communism. Monarchy Monarchy is another form of government in which one person has great power. A king, queen, or emperor inherits the throne and heads the state. This form of government started in ancient times when rulers were considered sacred or chosen by a god. Monarchs who maintained power through intimidation or military force are sometimes known as autocrats. The czars of Russia, who ruled until 1917 when the Russian Revolution occurred, were true autocrats. No group of nobles or church leaders had any power to put a limit on the czar’s power. Some monarchies are not authoritarian. In some cases, a monarch’s power has been limited by tradition or law. Medieval kings, for example, shared power with a council of nobles. In France, a body of noble judges reviewed the king’s laws before giving them formal sanction. Monarchies still exist today. Swaziland is an absolute monarchy. Political parties are banned and the king shares little or no power. Protestors and reformers are targets of state police. Most monarchies, however, are constitutional monarchies. That means the power of the king or queen is limited by the law. Examples include Great Britain, Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Some of these countries’ rulers share power with elected legislatures. Other countries’ monarchs are only ceremonial figures with no power of their own. Democratic Governments Authoritarian governments get their power by the use of force. In contrast, democracies get their power from the consent and trust of the people. Citizens in democratic states know that if elected officials do not respond to their needs, those officials can be voted out of or removed from office. A democracy is a system of government in which rule is by the people, either directly or through representatives. The word democracy comes from the Greek word demos (meaning “the people”) and kratia (meaning “rule”). The ancient Greeks used democracy to mean government by the many rather than by a small elite. Pericles, a great leader of ancient Athens, said Athens was a democracy because 5 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued it was governed by the many, not by the few. This does not mean that everyone in Athens could vote. Only citizens could vote. Many people—including women, foreign residents, and slaves—were not considered citizens. Thousands of years later, new democracies in Europe and in the United States also excluded many people from voting. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that some educated people in Western Europe began to believe that every adult should have the right to vote. These people were often seen as radicals. Before that time, only landowners, merchants, and wealthy people were able to vote. This was true even in the European country with the most progressive government, Great Britain. Gradually modern governments became more democratic. In time, low-income men, minorities, and women were given the right to vote. Democracies can be either direct or representative. A direct democracy is a government system in which all citizens vote directly on important issues and laws. Such a government can exist only in a small society where it is practical for everyone to assemble, discuss, and vote. The ancient Athenians had a direct democracy. In modern times, this type of democracy exists only in some New England towns and the smaller cantons of Switzerland. In other democracies, people can vote directly on certain laws or issues through special types of elections such as referenda and recalls. In an indirect or representative democracy, the people elect representatives and give them the power to make laws and conduct government. It is the most efficient way to ensure that the government represents and serves the people. In the United States, we have a representative democracy that does not have a monarch in charge. This makes us a republic. Great Britain is a democracy but not a republic. This is because Queen Elizabeth, a constitutional monarch, is the head of state. Democracy is more likely to succeed in countries where most people are educated. For this reason, most democratic nations have free public schools. Democracy is not possible without a strong civil society. Civil society is made up of a complex network of voluntary associations including economic, political, charitable, religious, and other civic groups. The United States has thousands of such groups. Examples include the American Red Cross, the Humane Society, the Sierra Club, the National Rifle Association, churches and temples, labor unions, and business groups. These civic groups are not part of the government, but the government may support them in some way. It is through these groups that citizens often organize and make their views known. Civic groups give people a way to take responsibility for their communities, protect their rights, and participate in the democratic system at the grassroots level. Reading Progress Check Describing How do oligarchies differ from monarchies? Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education 6 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued Principles of Democracy Guiding Question What principles are central to democracies? A number of countries call their governments “democratic” or “republics” when they are not. Their leaders may act as if the people support those in power, but it is clear that their governments do not function as democracies. For example, the government of North Korea is called the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, but it is actually a totalitarian dictatorship. One leader has total control of the government while the people have no power and few rights. While no democracy is a perfect democracy, there are certain principles that exist at the foundation of every true democracy. Citizen Participation One of the most basic principles of a democracy is citizen participation in government. Participation is more than just a right—it is a duty. Citizen participation may take many forms. Some of these forms include becoming informed, debating issues, voting in elections, attending community meetings, membership in private volunteer groups, or serving in the military. Participation also includes paying taxes, serving on a jury, running for office, and even protesting. Effective citizen participation builds a stronger democracy. Regular Free and Fair Elections One way citizens express their will is by electing officials to represent them in government. In representative democracies, elections are held regularly, usually every few years. Elected officials must be chosen by the people in a free and fair way. Most adult citizens have the right to vote and to run for office—regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, and level of income. All votes should be counted equally. There should be no obstacles that make it difficult for people to vote. There should be no corruption or threats to citizens before or during an election. Accepting the Results of Elections In elections there are winners and losers. Sometimes the losers believe so strongly that their party or candidate is the best that they refuse to accept that they lost an election. If an election has been judged “free and fair,” ignoring or rejecting election results goes against democratic principles. Democracy depends on a peaceful transfer of power from one set of leaders to the next. Accepting the results of a free and fair election is essential. The Rule of Law In a democracy, no one is above the law—not even a king, elected president, police officer, or member of the military. According to the rule of law, everyone must obey the law. Those who break the law will be held responsible for their actions. Laws are known by the people and are enforced equally, fairly, and consistently. Majority Rule with Minority Rights Democratic societies make most decisions according to what the majority of the people want. However, people in democracies are concerned about “the tyranny of the majority.” This can occur when people in racial, ethnic, religious, or other minority groups do not agree with the dominant view and lack any power to influence government. If the people in the majority try to destroy the rights of people in the minority, they also destroy democracy. Because of this, democracies are politically tolerant. In democracies, people who are not in power are allowed to organize and voice their opinions. 7 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued Accountability In a democracy, elected and appointed officials are responsible for their actions and have to be accountable to the people. Officials must make decisions and perform their duties according to the will and wishes of the people they represent, not for themselves or their friends. Transparency For government to be accountable, the people must be aware of the actions their government is taking. A transparent government holds public meetings and allows citizens to attend or learn what happened in meetings. In a democracy, the press and the people are able to get information about what decisions are being made, by whom, and why. Limited Government and a Bill of Rights Most democratic countries have a list of citizens’ rights and freedoms. Often called a “Bill of Rights,” this document lists the freedoms guaranteed to all people in the country. It also limits the power of government. This protects people from a government that might abuse its power. When a Bill of Rights becomes part of a country’s constitution, it is easier for courts to enforce rights and harder for government officials to take those rights away. Control of the Abuse of Power One of the most common abuses of power is corruption. Corruption occurs when government officials use public funds for their own benefit or use power in an illegal way. To protect against these abuses, democratic governments are often structured to set limits on the powers of government officials. For example, the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the United States government each have distinct functions. Each branch has the ability to “check” and “balance” the powers of the other two branches. In addition, independent agencies and courts can investigate and punish any government leader or employee who abuses power. Economic Freedom People in a democracy must have basic economic freedom. This means that the government must allow private ownership of property and businesses. Citizens of a democracy are free to choose their own work and join labor unions, where workers band together to protect their rights. The role the government should play in the economy is often debated. However, it is generally accepted that democratic government should not totally control the economy. Equality In a democracy, all individuals should be valued and treated equally. All citizens should have the same rights and freedoms regardless of their race, gender, age, religion, or other differences. Individuals Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education and groups maintain their rights to have different cultures, personalities, languages, and beliefs. All are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law. 8 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 2 Types of Government, continued Individual or Human Rights Human rights are the rights all people have simply because they are human beings. Democracies respect and protect the dignity of all people. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an agreement between many nations of the world. This agreement includes many human rights and freedoms. Many of these rights are reflected in the rights honored by democratic governments. A few examples include the freedom of movement, religion, speech, and assembly. Independent Judiciary In democracies, courts and the judicial system should be fair and impartial. Judges and the judicial branch must be free to act without influence or control from the executive and legislative branches of government. Judges should not be corrupt or owe anything to influential individuals, businesses, or political groups. Competing Political Parties A political party is an organized group of individuals with common interests and beliefs. Political parties select candidates, participate in elections, conduct government, and decide public policy. To have a democracy, more than one political party must participate in elections and government. Rival parties make elections meaningful because they give voters a choice of candidates and policies. Reading Progress Check Analyzing Why is citizen participation an important principle of democracy? Exploring The Essential Question Applying Create a poster or multimedia presentation that explains and illustrates at least three principles of democracy. For each, include an image of that principle working or an image of that principle not working. For example, you could explain the idea of control of the abuse of power and show either a public official being impeached or in handcuffs or a picture of a government official accepting a bribe. Explain your choices. 9 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is the role of government in different types of economic systems? Reading HELPDESK Academic Vocabulary regulation rule or procedure that has the force of law consumers people who purchase and use goods and services Content Vocabulary economics the study of how people and nations use their limited resources to attempt to satisfy wants and needs capitalism an economic system in which private citizens own and use the factors of production in order to generate profits free market economic system in which buyers and sellers make free choices in the marketplace free enterprise the opportunity to control one’s own economic decisions laissez-faire the philosophy that government should keep its hands off the economy mixed economy a system in which the government regulates private enterprise socialism an economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as health care and welfare democratic socialist a socialist who is committed to democracy but wants government involvement in the distribution of wealth command economy an economic system in which the government controls the factors of production communism an economic system in which the factors of production are collectively owned and the central government directs all major economic decisions bourgeoisie capitalists who own the means of production proletariat workers who produce the goods TAKING NOTES: Integrating Knowledge and Ideas CLASSIFYING Use the graphic organizer to explain the role of government in different types of economic systems. Role of Government in Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism Capitalism Socialism Communism Government’s role Government involvement Examples of countries with this type of economy 1 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued ESSENTIAL QUESTION What is the role of government in different types of economic systems? When is the last time you wanted to buy something you could not afford? Do you know people who can buy it and whatever else they want? How did they get enough money to buy it? Did they work hard? Did they save? Has their family always had plenty of money, going back for generations? Now think about your needs instead of your wants. Can you or your family afford to pay for your basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing? Do you think the government has a responsibility to make sure you have all you need? Write a personal reflection answering these questions. Fundamentals of Economics Guiding Question What are the basic factors of every economy? Every country’s resources are limited. Every individual cannot have everything they want. Economics is the study of how people and nations use their limited resources to try to satisfy wants and needs. In every society, governments guide economies. Some political systems let a free market, sometimes called a free enterprise system, decide how resources are used. Other political systems use government regulation or control to decide how resources are used. A key role of government is to make basic decisions about the economy. Some governments try to have total control over their economies. Other governments give much more economic freedom and control to citizens. Either way, governments play major roles in the economic lives of their people. Every type of economy has these factors: Producers—people who make goods and services to sell Distributors—people who get products to buyers Consumers—people who purchase and use goods and services Labor—the work that people do or the workers themselves Resources—natural materials such as land and water, as well as human resources such as the knowledge and labor needed to make something Capital—the money or resources necessary to purchase or invest in production Entrepreneurs—risk-taking people who use or combine the production factors above to make money All economic systems must answer three key questions: What and how much should be produced? How should goods and services be produced? Who gets the goods and services that are produced? Economic systems are classified in two ways. One way looks at how they work. The second way looks Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education at the political ideology that is connected to an economy. There are three types of economies based on how they work. In a traditional economy, economic decisions are made according to customs. This type of economy might be based on farming, hunting, gathering, or fishing. Barter may be used instead of money. The other two types of economies are called market and command. There are also three types of economies based on political beliefs: capitalism, socialism, and communism. A type of economy that combines elements of these beliefs is called a mixed economy. Mixed economies have different goals, and the government plays a different role in each. 2 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued Reading Progress Check Explaining What are two different ways economic systems are classified? How are they different? Capitalism Guiding Question What are the goals of capitalism? Capitalism is an economic system that stresses private ownership of the factors of production, freedom of choice, and individual incentive. These freedoms and incentives apply to workers, investors, consumers, and business owners. In pure capitalism, government does not try to control the economy. It does not make rules about what workers are paid or the prices of goods. It does not decide what producers can make or the ways businesses make or sell their goods and services. Capitalism assumes that the best way to serve society is to let people produce, sell, and buy as they wish. The goal of capitalism is to create what is called a free market. In economic terms, a market is not an actual marketplace like a grocery store. A market is anywhere business takes place. In a free market or free enterprise economy like that under capitalism, government places no limits on the freedom of buyers and sellers to make their economic decisions. Origins of Capitalism The basic theories about capitalism and free trade come from Adam Smith. Smith was a Scottish philosopher and economist who lived in the 1700s. In his famous book The Wealth of Nations, Smith said government should take a laissez-faire approach to the economy. Laissez-faire is a French term meaning “to let alone.” Smith thought the forces of the marketplace would act as an “invisible hand” guiding economic choices for the best results. Competition plays a key role in capitalism because sellers compete over resources to produce goods and services at the best price. If they are successful, they make a profit. At the same time, consumers compete over limited products to buy what they want and need. These same consumers, in their role as workers, compete to sell their skills and labor for the best wages they can get. Pure capitalism has five features: private ownership and control of property and economic resources, free enterprise, competition, freedom of choice, and the potential for profit. Free Enterprise in the United States A true and total capitalist system does not exist in reality. The United States, however, is a leading example of a capitalist system in which the government plays a role. Our society is deeply rooted in the value of individual initiative—that each person knows what is best for himself or herself. All persons have the right to own private property. Our society also respects individual freedom, including the freedom to make economic choices. However, because the U.S. government also regulates the economy, our country does not have a purely capitalistic economy. 3 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued Reading Progress Check Summarizing What are the five characteristics of pure capitalism? Be sure to define each in your response. Mixed Economies Guiding Question What are mixed economies? Economists describe the economies in the United States and many other nations as mixed economies. Mixed economies combine elements of capitalism and socialism. Mexico is another example of a mixed economy. Its economy is basically capitalist, but the government owns all natural resources and runs a giant oil company, Petrolero Mexicanos (PEMEX). In its early history, the U.S. government had a very small role in the nation’s economy. Since the early 1900s, however, the government’s role in the economy has steadily increased in at least three ways. First, as the federal government has grown, it has become the country’s largest buyer of goods and services. Second, the federal government has become more involved in regulating industries to protect consumer health and product safety. The Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act were both passed in the early 1900s. These acts were responses to public protest over investigations showing horrible conditions at meat packing plants and food production facilities. Since then, many other industries have become more regulated as well. Third, the Great Depression of the 1930s (when the free market economy collapsed) created an economic emergency that propelled government action. With millions of Americans out of work, the government created programs to provide basic economic security. For example, it set up the Social Security system. It even set up a public corporation, the Tennessee Valley Authority, to provide electricity. Since then, many laws have been passed giving the government a more active role in the economy. Laws now exist in areas such as labor management relations, environmental regulation, and control over financial institutions. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Reading Progress Check Explaining How does the U.S. economy differ from pure capitalism? 4 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued Socialism Guiding Question What are the goals of socialism? Socialism is an economic system in which the government plays a major role in the economy. Socialist governments own most of the land, industries, and other means of production. The government decides how to use resources and distribute goods and wages. It also provides social services such as education, health care, and welfare for its people. The goal of socialism is to distribute the nation’s wealth evenly among its citizens. Early Socialism Socialism began in the early 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. During this time period, the development of machines changed economies from farm-based to factory-based. Economies became much more productive. This created a huge amount of wealth for industrial leaders. However, it also created terrible suffering. Many workers lived in terrible poverty and worked 12 hours per day, 6 days per week. Even young children worked 12 hour days in dangerous factories. At this time, before unions, workers had little or no power to bargain with employers for better wages or working conditions. Reformers believed that no one should have to suffer or starve, especially when a few industrial leaders were making so much money. They believed that under capitalism, economic fairness was impossible. They wanted the government to take more control over the economy to distribute goods and wealth more equally. Some socialists believed that the people who profited most from capitalism would never share their wealth with others. They believed that only a violent revolution would bring about change. Other socialists thought that reforms could be made peacefully and gradually by organizing the working class and voters. Still others tried to build ideal communities called communes, where people would share everything with one another. Those against socialism say that it discourages individual opportunity. They also say that under socialism, governments need to charge more taxes to pay for social services. These high tax rates hold back economic growth for the whole nation. Also, some people argue that because socialism requires more government regulation of business, it makes government bigger and this can lead to dictatorship. Democratic Socialism Socialists who believe in democracy in politics but want governments to regulate how wealth is distributed are called democratic socialists. Under this system, citizens have basic democratic rights such as free speech and free elections. However, the government may own major industries and has the power to make economic decisions designed to benefit everyone. For example, in 2012, France elected a president from the Socialist Party, and these democratic socialists gained a majority in parliament. Reading Progress Check Explaining Under socialism, who determines the use of resources? 5 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued Communism, a Command Economy Guiding Question How does a command economy work? In communist nations, the government decides how much to produce, what to produce, and how to distribute the goods and services produced. This system is called a command economy because decisions are made at the upper levels of government and handed down to the rest of the nation. In purely communist countries, the state owns the land, natural resources, industry, banks, and transportation. There is no private property, so no individual owns anything. The state controls the media, including newspapers, magazines, television, radio, the Internet, and movies. The basic theories about communism come from the German philosopher and reformer Karl Marx. Marx wrote in the mid-1800s about the suffering created by industrialization. He wrote that industrialization created deep divisions between the bourgeoisie—capitalists who owned the means of production (factories, land, money, and other resources) and the proletariat—workers who produced the goods. Marx predicted that workers would revolt against capitalists and that capitalism would collapse. The goals of the revolution would be socialism at first, but Marx believed that communism would be the end result. Under communism, there would be only one class: the working class. All property would be held in common and there would be no need for government at all. However, communism has often functioned as a system in which the government has total control. During the Cold War, there were communist states in the Soviet Union, East Germany, and several countries in Eastern Europe. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and its break up into independent republics, the number of communist states began to decline quickly. Many of these states moved from communism to democracy. For example, many states in Eastern Europe have democratic governments. Today, only a few communist states exist in the world. North Korea is one. The government maintains strict control of the economy and individuals have no economic freedom. The government sets wages and production levels and owns nearly all property. Like capitalist states, most communist states vary in how much of the economy is state-controlled. The government’s role in the economy can change over time. For decades, in the People’s Republic of China, the government had tight control of the economy. The Chinese government used five-year plans to set precise goals for every detail of production across the nation. It specified how many new housing units would be built over the next five years, where houses would be built, who could live in them, and how much the rent would be. More recently, China has allowed many private investments and some free market practices. However, political freedom is still very limited, and economic freedom remains limited as well. Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education Reading Progress Check Describing What are the features of a purely communist country? 6 NAME ________________________________________ DATE _______________ CLASS _________ Reading Essentials and Study Guide Chapter 1 Foundations of Government Lesson 3 The Role of Government in Economic Systems, continued Exploring The Essential Question Problem Solving Imagine your economy is in bad shape. Many people do not have jobs. Many people have had to sell or move out of their homes and the number of people eating at soup kitchens and living in homeless shelters is increasing daily. Companies are failing and business owners are afraid to create new jobs because they do not know if they will make enough profit to afford the new workers, especially because it will cost them more to comply with new government regulations. Work with a group of students to prioritize the following strategies to improve the economy. Be prepared to explain your reasons. A. The government should lower taxes on wealthy business owners so they will have an incentive to expand their business and hire more workers. B. The government should lower taxes on poor and middle class people so they have more money to spend on goods and services. C. The government should not interfere with the economy. D. The government should take over industries that employ a lot of people and make sure workers get a fair wage. 7