American Government: Foundations of Government

Learning Target:

Today I will:

●Examine why governments are needed.

●Identify the 4 theories of the creation of government.

●Evaluate the 4 theories of the creation of government.

I will show this by:

●Actively participating in the class discussion

●Completing the group activity on why create a government

●Sketch noting important ideas and concepts

Why do people create governments?

Based on The Island Activity we did in class the other day, why do people need
government?

How do people create government?

Anarchy-
●

Absence of Government

●

Perfect state of nature

What are the ways in which people create
government?

Define government:

●Institution through which a society makes
and enforces its public policies.

○(public policies) are all those things the
government decides to do.

What are the ways in which people create
government?

Features of a state:

1.Population:

a.Populations have unique characteristics

2.Territory:

a.Established boundaries

3.Sovereignty:

a.Supreme and absolute authority with-in its boundaries

4.Government:

a.Makes Rules, Provides leadership

How do states (governments) form?

Force Theory-

●One person or group of people
controls one area and forces
everyone in that area to submit to
that person or groups rule!

How do states (governments) form?

The evolution theory-

●The idea that states
originated from the
family.

●The family grows into a
clan

●The clan becomes a tribe

●Tribe settles down state
rises

How do states (governments) form?

The Divine Right Theory-

●The state is created by
God and god has given
those who were born into
royalty the “Divine right to
rule”.

●Disobeying your ruler is
like disobeying God!

How do Governments form?

Social Contract Theory

●The theory that human
beings, by contract, within
certain area agree to give
up as much power to the
state as necessary to
promote the welfare of all.
The state arises out of
voluntary acts of all free
people in order to protect
their life and property.