Download THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE STATE and POLITICS!

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POPULATION
TERRITORY
SOVEREIGNTY
GOVERNMENT
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Population has a direct effect on the stability
and political organization of a state
States where the population share basic
beliefs or consensus have the most stable
government
Mobility—people moving shift political
power
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Established boundaries (these boundaries
change as a result of war, negotiations, or
purchase)
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The state has supreme and absolute authority
within its territorial boundaries (complete
power to make laws, policy, etc.)
No state has the right to interfere with
internal affairs of another sovereign state
States with great economic and military
strength have more power
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The institution, through which that state
maintains social order, provides public
services and enforce decisions.
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Divine Right
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Natural Law and Natural Rights (Evolution)
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The Natural World provides a just and rational order to all
things in the world.
Rulers will emerge who follow natural law
Acquired Power (Machiavellian)
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God is the source of all Power
Power flows from God (to the Pope) to the King who has the
right to do anything he wants.
Power is taken and subjects are created.
Hitler followed this political philosophy
Social Contract Theory (Democratic)
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People agree to submit to the authority of the state.
In return, the state provides protection and support.
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What words come to mind when you hear the
word “politics”?
Does the word have a more positive or
negative connotation?
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Machiavelli’s name is synonymous with tough
and dirty politics
Author of The Prince. One of history’s first
political scientists.
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“The ends justify the means.”
“It is better to be feared than loved.”
“By no means can a prudent ruler keep his
word. Because all men are bad and do not keep
promises to you, you likewise do not have to
keep your promises to them.”
Yes We Can
“straight talk”
campaign
Harold D. Lasswell
 Who gets what, when, and how. (and where)
 All of us are political, we’re just not used to
calling it that. You don’t have to take a class to
understand politics. Aristotle was correct
when he wrote, “Man is by nature a political
animal.”
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John Locke is widely known as the Father of
Liberalism, was an English philosopher and
physician regarded as one of the most
influential of Enlightenment thinkers.
He promoted that humans inherently have the
rights of life, liberty, and property.
His contributions are reflected in the American
Declaration of Independence.
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“The only valid government is one based on
the consent of the governed.” - Locke
Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or
a social contract
Government by the people
Jefferson used his model in writing the
Declaration of Independence.
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“A state also of equality, wherein all the power
and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having
more than another… - John Locke, of Civil
Government
“We hold these truths to be self-evident: That
all men are created equal.”
- Thomas
Jefferson, Declaration of Independence
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Rousseau’s political philosophy
heavily influenced the French
Revolution, as well as the American
Revolution and the overall
development of modern political,
sociological and educational thought.
According to Rousseau, by joining
together into civil society through the
social contract, individuals can both
preserve themselves and remain free.
"Man is or was born free, and he is
everywhere in chains.“
His ideas are in both the Declaration
and the Constitution.
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Montesquieu was a French social
commentator and political thinker
who lived during the
Enlightenment. He is famous for
the theory of Separation of Powers,
which has been implemented in
many constitutions throughout the
world.
“To become truly great, one has to
stand with people, not above
them.“
“The spirit of moderation should
also be the spirit of the lawgiver. “
He influenced the Constitution.
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Voltaire was a French
Enlightenment writer and
philosopher famous for his wit
and for his advocacy of civil
rights and liberties, including
freedom of religion and free
trade
Many of his ideas influenced
the Bill of Rights
“Common sense is not so
common. “
“I don't agree with a word you
say, but I will defend to the
death your right to say it.”
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Politics is a process by which groups of people
make collective decision
and the methods and tactics used to formulate
and apply policy.
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GOVERNMENT: an institution with the
power to make and enforce rules for a group
of people
Law: set of rules made and enforced by
government
 Government has the authority to set rules for
all people living in a state or political unit.
 Laws also determine how rules will be
enforced (punishment)
 Laws are part of public policy-plans and
decisions that government makes in a
particular area of public concern
SOVEREIGNTY:
 Absolute authority that a government has
over its citizens
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LEGITIMACY: rightful authority any
government has over its citizens
What gives government legitimacy?
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Divine right-authority from God
Force
Evolution
Social contract-the people give up individual
authority in exchange for peace
 The Constitution is our social contract
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The government has legitimacy because the
people give it authority