Download How Did Government Begin?

How Did Government Begin?
Mrs. Ha
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Identify and explain these concepts.
• Government
• Four Theories on the Origins of
Government
• Evolutionary Theory
• Force Theory
• Divine Right Theory
• Social Contract Theory
I. What is Government?
A. Definition
1. The institutions and processes
through which public policies
are made for a society.
II. Four Theories
Origin of Government
A.
B.
C.
D.
Evolutionary Theory
Force Theory
Divine Right Theory
Social Contract Theory
A. Evolutionary Theory
1. Government developed gradually
a) Father
e) Village
b) Family
f) Town
c) Clan
g) City
d) Tribe
h) Country
2. People: nomadic to agricultural
existence.
B. Force Theory
1. Governments originated when
one or more conquered others.
2. Submit to the will of the
leader(s).
a) Pay taxes
b) Police
Taxes
c) Military
d) Courts
Courts
C. Divine Right Theory
1. “God” gave the right to a leader
to rule.
2. Ruler was usually from royal birth.
3. Unlimited right to rule over people.
4. If you challenged him/her, challenging
“God.”
Egypt, China, Greece & Rome
D. Social Contract Theory
Ex: United States
1. People voluntarily agree with one
another to create a government.
2. John Locke: people are born with
“natural rights,” government cannot
take away.
a) Life
b) Liberty
c) Property