RI T2W7-9 Reasons for Govt and the Social Contract 2021

Unit 2: Government and Governance2021 Year 3 Social Studies

Essential Questions•Why do we need governments?•How do governments work?•How can democracy ensure good governance?

Unit Key Understandings•Part 1: Why governments exist•The need for government•Managing competing interests with trade-offs•Part 2: How governments work•Parts and functions of government•Principles of governance•Part 3: Democratic government•Definition and features of democracy•The value and limitations of democracy

PoliticsThe activityby which groups reach binding collective decisions through attempting to reconcile differences among their members (Miller, 1991)

Politics•Political decisions are those that are public and authoritative; they take place within a society or community—a political system•Politics deals with collective decisions that extend beyond individual and private life, typically involving government action (public vs. private spheres)•Political decisions are bindingfor members of that political system; governments and authorities may use persuasion, inducements, or brute force to ensure compliance (Powell, Dalton & Strøm, 2012)

Government•Organisationsof individuals who have the power to make binding decisionson behalf of a particular community•Have authoritative and coercive powers and do many things (wage war, promote/restrict trade, control borders, tax populations, etc.)(Powell, Dalton & Strøm, 2012)

Government•Any mechanism through which ordered rule is maintained, central features being the ability to make collective decisions and the capacity to enforce them… can thus be identified in almost all social instutitions: families, schools, ...•More commonly understood to refer to formal and institutional processeswhich operate at the national level to maintain order and facilitate collective action … core functions are thus to make law(legislation), implement law (execution) and interpret law (adjudication) (Heywood, 2000)

Key Political Concepts•Power•The abilityto influence the behaviourof others in a manner not of their choosing; associated with the ability to punish and reward•Authority•The rightto influence the behaviourof others, based on an acknowledged duty to obey rather than any form of coercion or manipulation (“legitimate power”)•May be traditional, charismatic or legal-rational

Key Political Concepts•Five bases of power:•Coercive: force or threat of force•Reward: incentives (+veor -ve)•Expert: knowledge, experience or skills•Referent: charisma (inspired admiration/respect)•Legitimate: recognisedposition(s) and right(s)(French & Raven, 1959)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)