Ch 1.2 The Formation of Governments
The relationship between a country’s national government and the government of its states or smaller units may be either:
•Unitary – national government has ______; may delegate some to states.
•Federal – power is divided between ______governments.
•In the United States, what are the next smaller units or divisions called? ______
•In Canada, what are the smaller units called? ______
•What are they called in Mexico? ______
Vocabulary
“Federal” also has two meanings:
1)Federal as in federalism. Power is divided between the nation and the ______.
2)Pertaining to a nation (country) rather than a state. (federal laws vs. state laws)
•Note that “federal” and “national” usually mean the same thing.
Constitutions
•Definition: A plan that provides the rules for governments.
•Purposes:
–Describes the country’s ______.
–Establishes the ______of the government.
–______law of the land.
•May be written or unwritten.
•U.S. Constitution is the oldest one still being used in the world.
•Constitutional government – Synonym: limited government. Constitution has authority to place clearly recognized ______on the powers of those who govern. (not totalitarian)
•Constitutions are always incomplete.
•Constitutions usually have a ______– sets forth goals and purposes of government.
•Constitutions are usually divided into ______and ______.
•Constitutional Law – involves ______and ______of the Constitution, which is the “supreme law of the land.”
Politics & Government
•Government: Institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens.
•Politics: Effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government.
•Special Interests: groups with a particular agenda that try to influence politics.
Partner share: what do you think is the difference between government and politics?
______
Politics & Government (cont’d)
“… there is a continual struggle over what benefits and services government should provide, and who should pay for them. Through politics, individuals and groups seek to maximize the benefits they get from the government while they try to reduce the cost of those benefits. Through politics, people also seek to use government to turn their values and beliefs into public policy …” (Glencoe textbook)
•“Through politics, conflicts in society are managed.” (Glencoe textbook)
Partner share: do you agree with this?Why/not? ______
Governing in a Complex World
Non-state International Groups
•______
•National liberation organizations
•______corporations
•International organizations (UN, WTO, etc.)