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A government is the process by which a nation is ruled and by which the laws are enacted and enforced.

A government is the process by which a nation is ruled and by which the laws are enacted and enforced.

The study of the origin, organization, principles, and manner of operation of government is called political science. A person, like you, who conducts this type study is called a political scientist.

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We will begin our study by looking at the functions and purpose of a government.

In this lesson you will learn why people need government and what governments provide to their citizens.

Throughout history, humans have been controlled one way or another. Sometimes it was the strongest person or group in the area who ruled, or perhaps it was the person with the largest army.

Even today, there are people who live in a dictatorship, where one person or group has full control of the government.

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Not all people were ruled against their will. In other situations, the people themselves made decisions about how they wanted their own activities (and those of their neighbors) to be regulated.

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This control over people's lives and activities is called government.

Government is defined as an organization or body through which the control or administration of a city, county, state, or nation is exercised.

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Who has the authority to make the rules?

How did they get that authority?

Why do we need rules?

In other words, who makes sure that the garbage is picked up on time, that there are enough tanks for the army, or that medical services are provided for the aged?

(Picture: SACK)

(Picture: TANK)

(Picture: oldman)

Laws are the means by which a government compels or forbids certain acts of its citizens. In order to accomplish the goals and functions of government, laws are enacted to encourage certain behaviors and to punish others.

Go to the next screen to check your understanding

The means by which a government regulates the actions of its citizens are called __________.

Look for the answers to the questions listed below.

• Who has the authority to make the rules?
• How did they get that authority?
• Why do we need rules?

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The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution provides a description of the purpose of government that was created by the Constitution. Please note these various purposes of government as you read the Preamble on the next screen.

(A preamble is an introductory statement that lists the purposes of a document.)

(PICTURE: WTP)

There are several reasons for establishing a government, as outlined in the Preamble:

• To keep SOCIAL ORDER, provide for the safety of all members of society, and minimize conflicts among people. (PICTURE: FIRETRCK)
• To provide PUBLIC SERVICES such as roads, sewer systems, and other services that people could not provide for themselves.
• To create and maintain a sound ECONOMIC SYSTEM and provide a national currency - important functions of any government.(PICTURE: DOL5)

The Preamble lists six specific purposes as to why the Constitution of the United States was written. Read through the Preamble one more time to see if you can find the six purposes.

Write down these six purposes on a piece of paper.

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Did you find all six? Go to the next screen to begin checking your answers.

The American system of government was specifically created to provide its citizens with certain assurances.

The first goal of the Preamble is

to form a more perfect union. (picture: WTP)

Before the Constitution became the highest law of the land in 1789, the United States was loosely bound in a "firm league of friendship" under the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation were written in 1777 during the Revolutionary War (1775-1781). The Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781, created a loose alliance among the 13 states.

The "league of friendship" represented under the Articles of Confederation quickly dissolved into disputes among the 13 states. A stronger form of government was needed, which led to the development of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose of the Constitution was to link the states into a stronger national or federal form of government.

A federal form of government is based on a constitutional division of powers between national and local governments. This is the type of government that we have today. The national government is located in Washington, D.C. and local governments in the various states.

A confederation is an alliance of independent states that have a very weak central or national government. The states have the supreme authority in most matters.

The second goal of the Preamble is

to establish justice. (PICTURE: SCALE)

Americans want their laws to be fair and equally applied. The American government, through its court system, attempts to ensure "equal justice for all."

The third goal of the Preamble is

to insure domestic tranquility.

James Madison wrote in his Federalist Papers:

"If men were angels no government would be necessary."

However, the framers of the Constitution realized that citizens were all too human and needed to be protected from themselves and each other. One goal of government is to keep law and order among the people.

In order to protect the citizens from outside enemies, the government has the obligation under the fourth goal of the Preamble

to provide for the common defense. (PICTURE: JET)

Since wars have been waged throughout history, a nation and its citizens must be defended against foreign enemies. The government must provide the military strength necessary to adequately defend the country.

The fifth goal of the Preamble is

to promote the general welfare. (PICTURE: SCALE1)

For a people to prosper, they must have certain assurances from their government. They must live in a clean, safe environment; have access to adequate education; and be allowed to pursue employment or other economic endeavors.

The sixth and last goal mentioned in the Preamble is

to secure the blessings of liberty.

The rights and freedoms of the American people are some of our most cherished ideals. The government promises to protect the freedom of its citizens.

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The intention of the writers of the Preamble was to develop an outline or agreement among the people and not the states. Look at the first three words of the Preamble. What do those three words say to you as a political scientist and student of government?

"We the people..."

Now look at the beginning and end of the Preamble:

"We the people of the United States...do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."

IMPORTANT

The source of the powers of government listed in the Constitution come from the people.

In the Preamble, the people are agreeing to the general purposes or goals of their government.

The specific processes that would be utilized to carry out these general purposes are included in the Seven Articles of the U.S. Constitution.

Outline of the U.S. Constitution

We will discuss each the seven articles of the Constitution in more detail in later lessons. Look again at the questions listed below. They should be easy to answer after completing this lesson.

Who has the authority to make the rules?

How did they get that authority?

Why do we need rules?

The answers to these questions will change as we examine various aspects of government. Remember, the authority for our government comes from the people who are consenting to be governed.

Who has the authority to make the rules?

How did they get that authority?

Why do we need rules?