To be considered a nation, an entity must have: 1) a population, 2) territory or land, 3) sovereignty, and 4) a government. Theories of government include that it evolved from family relationships, that rulers took control by force (the divine right of kings), and that individuals consented to a social contract in which they surrendered freedoms in exchange for protection of their rights and welfare. The key purposes of government are to maintain social order, provide public services, ensure national security, and make economic decisions.

1. What makes a country/state?
In order to be considered your
own nation you must meet all 4 of
the following:
1.Population
2.Territory/Land
3.Sovereignty
4.Government

2. Theories and Purposes of Government
Why do we have government? If you were
in charge of the government what would
be your goals/priorities?

3. 2. Force
• Strong leader most important
aspect of government
• leaders took control by force
3. Divine Right
• Royal power came from God
• subjects obey ruler like they obey
God
• ancient Egypt, China, 17th Century
Europe

4. Theories of Government
1. Evolutionary
• Grew from family relationship
between parents and children
• Rulers (parents) had authority
to guide and punish subjects
(children)

5. 4. Social Contract
• Thomas Hobbes - subjects
surrender freedom to ruler & ruler
protects subjects
• John Locke - Natural Rights – life,
liberty, property
• subjects agreed to obey ruler &
ruler would protect natural rights

6. Purposes of Government
1. Maintain social order
• Conflict is inevitable - property,
disagreements, etc.
• Power to make and enforce laws –
taxes, military service, courts, etc.
2. Providing public services
• Individuals cannot provide everything
on their own
• Services make community life
possible and promote general
welfare

7. 3. Providing national security
• Other nations/terrorists are a major
threat – nuclear weapons, etc.
• Government makes laws and keeps
an army to protect its citizens
4. Making economic decisions
• Gap between rich and poor is often
very large – can lead to revolt
• Governments intervene in economic
activities – foreign aid, benefits,
services, control economic
environment