Government

3. The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand why it is important to care
about power, politics, and government.
2. Evaluate and rate multiple „power
quotes‟ using the rating scale provided
in class.
3. Create a chart that portrays the five
“political games” that are commonly
played in politics.

4. Kickoff Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

5. Focus Question: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

6. History: Most Americans Distrust Gov…
John Locke = Social Contract = Give to Get
Still…We Look to Gov. to Provide For Us
Formal Authority = Legal and Official
Legitimacy = We ‘Accept’ That They Lead
Politics = Competition = A Game
Politics= People Work to Influence Groups
A Gov. Must Use Coercion and Collect $$$
How Can Gov. Give Us What We Want?
Why Should You Care About Power, Politics, and Government?
The Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

8. ”“
Processing
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power.
We have guided missiles and misguided men.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Strength to Love, 1963
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
8

9. ”“
Processing
Power tends to corrupt, and
absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Lord Acton
Letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton, 1887
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
9

10. ”
“
Processing
It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing
power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the
scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.
Aung San Suu Kyi
“Freedom from fear” speech, 1990
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
10

11. ”“
Processing
Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
Mao Zedong
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
11

12. ”
“
Processing
Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no
weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable
as the will and moral courage of free men and women.
Ronald Reagan
First Inaugural Address, 1981
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
12

13. ”
“
Processing
When I despair, I remember that all through history
the ways of truth and love have always won. There
have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they
can seem invincible, but in the end they always fail.
Mohandas Gandhi
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
13

14. ”“
Processing
When the power of love overcomes the
love of power, the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
14

15. ”
“
Processing
This country has been strip-mined by
rich and powerful interests. If you don’t
like what they’re doing, don’t just sit there.
Ralph Nader
1992
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
15

16. ”
“
Processing
1 2 3 4 5
The quote above is…
Never True Seldom True Sometimes True Often True Always True
The men who create power make an
indispensable contribution to the Nation’s
greatness, but the men who question power
make a contribution just as indispensable.
John F. Kennedy
Speech at Amherst College, 1963
16

17. Game Description Example

18. Game Description Example
Horse Trading Give up something in
exchange for something of
equal or greater value. Win-win
situation.
Missouri Compromise
Walkout Walk out and refuse to return
until the opposition agrees to
give them something they
want.
Cesar Chavez and the
Grape Strike
Power Struggle Trying to win by outfoxing or
overpowering their opponents.
A Machiavelli idea.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Demolition Derby The goal is complete
destruction of your opponent.
Eliminate real and perceived
enemies.
Roman Army
Third Punic War
Civil Disobedience Publicly shame the opposition
by deliberately disobeying
what they think is an unjust
law.
Mohandas Gandhi

19. Exit Slip: Nature of Power, Politics, and Government

21. Five Sources of Power
Learning Outcomes
1. Construct a diagram that shows the
five sources of power commonly used
by people in a position of authority.
2. Read the primary source document by
Machiavelli titled “The Prince”, and
answer questions based on your
analysis of the document.

22. Kickoff Question: Five Sources of Power

23. Focus Question: Five Sources of Power

24. Formal Authority
Expertise
Coercion
Persuasion Rewards

25. Formal Authority
Power comes from
the holder’s
position and duties
within organization.
Expertise
Power derives from
the power holder’s
specific skills or
expertise.
Coercion
Power springs from
the power holder’s
ability to punish or
penalize others.
Persuasion
Power flows from
the power holder’s
ability to persuade
or influence others.
Rewards
Power comes from
the power holder’s
ability to give
something of value.
(such as money)

28. Comparing Forms of Government
Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate various ways that political
power is distributed in a society.
2. Design a visual that explains and
analyzes the pros and cons of various
forms of government around the world.
3. Use your pro and con visual to sketch
symbols that represent the seven
different forms of government.

29. Kickoff Question: Comparing Forms of Government

30. Focus Question: Comparing Forms of Government

31. All Societies Develop Gov.- Simple or Not?
Single-Party: Political Elite (Communism)
Many Forms and Varieties of Gov.
Monarchy: Rule by 1 Hereditary Ruler
Theocracy: Rule by Few Religious Leaders
Federalism: National, State, Local
President Dem: Rep. of People (US)
Parliamentary Dem: Legislative Majority
Direct Democracy: Rule by ALL Citizens
How Should Political Power Be Distributed in a Society?
Comparing Forms of Government

32. Term Definition Pro Con
Monarchy
Dictatorship
Theocracy
Single-Party State
Direct Democracy
Parliamentary
Democracy
Presidential
Democracy

33. Term Definition Pro Con
Monarchy 1 rule exercises power
based on divine right.
Clear line of
succession.
Quality of leadership
can vary.
Dictatorship 1 ruler based on control
of military and police.
1 person can get
things done quickly.
Power can be used to
abuse citizens.
Theocracy Government by religious
leaders.
1 Religion promotes
political unity.
Religious minorities
often persecuted.
Single-Party State 1 political party allowed
to govern.
Easier to pass laws. People with different
views shut out.
Direct Democracy Citizens vote directly by
ballot.
Each citizen has an
equal say.
Very time-consuming
for citizens.
Parliamentary
Democracy
Voters elect lawmakers,
lawmakers choose leader
Majority votes with
Prime Minister.
No real ‘check’ on
Prime Minister.
Presidential
Democracy
Voters elect lawmakers
and elect President.
Separation of Power
allows ‘check’.
Gridlock when Pres.
not from maj. party.

35. Exit Slip: Comparing Forms of Government