Hey! What do you know about this thing called “the state” …?

Hey! What do you know about this thing called “the state” …?

The state? You mean like Alabama, Texas, Ohio, etc.?

No, no. I mean something bigger than that…

Well, let’s see what this lesson is all about. Maybe it’ll help you out…

The State of the State OH! Cool…

The State a body of people, living in a defined space, with the power to make and enforce laws without having to check with any higher authority, and with an organization to do this.

The State You can tell from the definition that there are four key features of a state… What are they?

Territory Population living in a defined space, a body of people, Sovereignty Government and with an organization to do this. with the power to make and enforce laws without having to check with any higher authority,

Population That’s us! Definition: People who are the members or citizens of a state • The size of the population doesn’t matter • Population has a big influence on the type of government chosen by the state: • Is the population rural or urban? • What do people do for jobs? • Do people get along or disagree on basic issues?

Territory Definition: the area in which a state’s rule applies • A state must have set boundaries, but they are not always agreed on. • Boundaries can change in three ways: • war – people win or lose territory • negotiation – people agree to trade territory • purchase – states can buy territory from other states

Sovereignty WAIT! Where did the word “SOVEREIGNTY” come from?

Sovereignty Remember the definition of “state”? It says, “…with the power to make and enforce laws without having to check with any higher authority…”? Don’t worry guys! “Sovereignty” is just a big word that means a state has the ability to rule within its border as it chooses…

Sovereignty That’s SOVEREIGNTY! Oh! Ok, cool…

Sovereignty Definition: the ability to rule absolutely within a given territory Because of sovereignty… • states can set their own foreign policy and agendas. • states are all equal in theory, but in reality that isn’t always the case.

That’s us! Government Definition: the organization that makes and enforces the laws • Government has many roles that all involve making public policy, but there are four main ways their governing affects the public… Public policy is the laws and rules that affect the public!

That’s us! Government Definition: the organization that makes and enforces the laws • Government has many roles that all involve making public policy, but there are four main ways their governing affects the public… • Keeping Order • Protecting the Country • Providing Services • Making Economic Decisions

Keeping Order Roles of Government • Making and enforcing laws is all a part of keeping order in society • Structures like the police force and court system are in place to enforce the laws and settle disputes

Protecting the Country Roles of Government • The government is responsible for defending the territory of the state • Security organizations like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are established to protect citizens

Protecting the Country Roles of Government • The government is responsible for defending the territory of the state • Security organizations like the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are established to protect citizens • Treaties and alliances are formed with other countries to help keep our citizens safe

Providing Services Roles of Government • The government is responsible for providing basic services… Libraries Postal Service Road Repair Garbage Collection Schools Bridge Building

Providing Services Roles of Government • The government is responsible for providing basic services… • Programs for people who need help: • help buying food • welfare • medical services • Programs to keep people safe: • medicine • food • buildings

Making Economic Decisions Roles of Government • The government makes decisions every day about how it spends money • The government also makes decisions about how our economy is going to function • Most public policy set by the government has to do with how money is spent!!

So by that definition of state… …the United States is just one big state!

Figure It Out! Is the United States just one big state? • Does it have a population? YES NO • Does it have a territory? YES NO • Does it have sovereignty? YES NO • Does it have government? YES NO

Figure It Out! What about “states” like Connecticut or Georgia? Are they states? • Do they have a population? YES NO • Do they have a territory? YES NO • Do they have sovereignty? YES NO • Do they have government? YES NO

They can’t make laws that go against the U.S. Constitution… They have a higher authority above them!

Figure It Out! Oops! I forgot. What four things does the government do? • Keeps _________ ORDER • Protects the __________ COUNTRY • Provides ___________ SERVICES • Makes___________ decisions ECONOMIC

Let’s take a mini-quiz, kiddos, and see what you learned!

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN If there are less than 30,000 people it can’t be considered a state.

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN Monaco has only 27,000 people! Size doesn’t matter!

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN The boundaries of a territory can change.

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN Can you name the three ways that boundaries change?

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN Sovereignty means that you have to check with someone above you.

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN Just the opposite! Sovereignty means there is NO ONE above you!

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN Government only exists to keep order and provide security.

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN What are the four roles that governments have?

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN The 50 states that make up the USA are not considered independent states internationally.

THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN That’s right! They don’t have full sovereignty!

Great job, kiddos! Thanks for all your help!

Hey! What do you know about this thing called “the state” …?