Showing posts with label functions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label functions. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

What is Government?

What is government and why do we care?
That thing out there that can mess with your life

Relationship between power and policy
Power - authority & ability to makes things happen
Policy - actions taken by government towards a particular goal
Governments utilize power to execute policy

What is the difference between a nation and a state?
Nation - group of people sharing similar ethnic or cultural backgrounds
State - political unit with the power to execute policy over people living within a defined territory

Is the United States a nation or a state?

Theories of origin of the state
If you really want to get into it....




Other wise...
4 basic theories of origin of the state
- Divine Right Theory
- Evolution Theory
- Social Contract Theory
- Force Theory

5 basic functions of government
- ensure national security
- maintain order
- resolve conflict
- provide services
- provide for the public good