Unit 1: Forms of Government

Government and Its Purposes

What is government?

GovernmentInstitution through which a society makes laws and enforces public policy

Public Policy: All the things governments decide to do

PoliticsGovernment and politics are not the same

thing!

Politics: The process of determining who shall be in leadership roles and how the power of government shall be exercised

Bad Politics???

General Purposes of Government

Maintain order

Protect life and property

Provide public goodsA product or service that is available for all

people to consume, whether they pay for it or not

PreambleIntroduction to the US Constitution – 1 sentenceStates where power comes fromLists the 6 goals of US government

We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common

defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our

Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Preamble“We the People of the United States”The power of the US government is in the hands

of the people

“Form a more perfect union”Act as one country

“Establish justice”The law must be reasonable, fair, and impartial

“Insure domestic tranquility”Keep peace within the country; maintain order at

home

Preamble“Provide for the common defense”Protect US interests in the world

“Promote the general welfare”Provide people with basic services

“Secure the blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity”Guarantee our freedoms today and for future

generations

Preamble in Practice

Pair up with someone sitting next to you and give examples of how each purpose of the Preamble fulfilled in

everyday life

Be ready to share your examples with the class.