American Government
Autor: lrj0109 • August 25, 2016 • Essay • 541 Words (3 Pages) • 812 Views
American Government
Main Themes Keeping the “big picture” in focus
The purpose of government
Relationship between law and government
How do leaders gain authority?
Social Contract Theory
What defines a state/nation?
Functions of government
Defining Politics
Classifying governments
Rights and responsibilities of citizens
Political Spectrum
Changing face of America-demographics
What is the purpose of government?
One way to consider the question is to consider what it would be like with no government.
How do leaders gain authority?
Grows Naturally
What is a “natural born leader”?
Begins in the family unit; the father usually became the leader because of his ability to feed and protect his family.
Families combine in to clans that valued the leadership of their elders
May possess certain charisma, be a motivator
Take by Force
Power is seized by force
“Coup de Etat”
Military Government
Revolution
Assassination
Conquest
Divine Right Rule
Rule is God’s choice
Higher power rules through the leader
Pharaohs pf Ancient Egypt believed they were gods themselves
Ancient Mayans thought their rulers were gods
The pope crowned kings in the Middle Ages
Consent of the People
The people choose the leader through an acceptable process
Becomes the basic idea behind democracy
Majority Rule
The Development of Social Contract Theory
In the 17th Century men began to develop the philosophy of humanism and natural reason
Men were born
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