Basic Government Concepts

1. Basic Government Concepts

2. I. Terms • State: political power exercised over a defined geographical area through public institutions • Population, territory, government, sovereignty • State vs. state • Nation: human community with shared culture and history • Government: collections of individuals who occupy political office or exercise state power • Regime: sets of rules and institutions that control access to, and exercise of, political power and that typically endure from government to government • E.g. Adams’ government gave way to Jefferson’s in compliance with the Constitution • Sovereignty: government has final say over what happens within its country • Limited by international law, WTO, NAFTA, IMF, etc.

3. II. Regime Types 1. Who has power: Democracy vs. Dictatorship • Liberal vs. illiberal democracy • Power from the people liberal democracy • Direct vs. Representative (republic) • Substantive vs. procedural democracy • Power withheld from the people authoritarian dictatorship: autocracy, monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, kleptocracy, theocracy • Strive for totalitarian control; militaristic; outward appearances of democracy (see J. Kirkpatrick)

4. 2) Geographic Distribution • Where is power located: Unitary, confederate, federal • Britain Articles of Confederation Constitution • Unitary • State governments; Danville exists at convenience of Sacramento • Confederate • Independent, sovereign states in loose alliance • Key: cannot legislate over individuals • Federal • Overlapping division central (federal) and regional governments (State); separate and co-equal

5. 3) Division of Power within Government • Legislative (makes laws); Executive (executes/carries out laws); Judicial (interprets laws) • Divisions not so clear cut: necessary overlap • Presidential: separate, independent, coequal, checks and balances • Parliamentary: executive members of legislature: chosen by, removable by, legislature • No confidence votes; coalition governments • Less likely to deadlock/fewer checks + balances

6. III. Principles of Democracy • 1) Fundamental worth + dignity every person • 2) Equality of all • A) opp’y B) law • 3) Majority rule w/minority rights • Madison: Tyranny of the majority • 4) Necessity compromise (process, not end) • 5) Widest degree indiv. freedom (while protecting/serving public interest)

7. IV. Necessary Ideals • 1) Effective participation • In politics money is speech • 2) Equality in voting • But CA vs. ND? • 3) Enlightened understanding • TV make me stupid • 4) Final control over agenda • See: mobilization of bias • 5) Inclusion of adults • Immigration issues; 12 million+ excluded

8. V. Required Institutions • 1) Elected officials • 2) Free, fair, frequent, effective elections • 3) Freedom of expression • 4) Alternative sources information • 5) Associational autonomy (civil society) • 6) Inclusive citizenship • Capitalism?

9. VI. Advantages of Democracy • 1) Avoid tyranny • 2) Essential rights • 3) General freedom • 4) Self determination • 5) Moral autonomy • 6) Human development • 7) Protecting essential personal interests • 8) Political equality • 9) Peace-seeking • 10) Prosperity