Civics_Notes_Chapter_1.docx - CHAPTER 1 ROLE OF GOVERNMENT In your mind what is the role of government A government is a body of power that makes and

CHAPTER 1 ROLE OF GOVERNMENT In your mind, what is the role of government? A government is a body of power that makes and insures its citizens follow its laws. I. What is Government? - Government is an institution with the power to make and enforce rules for a group of people. - State – people living in a political unit Sovereignty is the absolute authority that a government has over its citizens - Law is a set of rules, made and enforced by government, that is binding on society - Natural law is the system of justice derived from nature rather than from the rules of society. - Natural Rights are rights that people own simply because they are human - Devine Right of Kings: Philosophers argued that rulers – typically kings and queens – received their authority from God. II. Does the Government benefit you? Provides services such as -builds roads -inspect foods and medicines -deliver mail - assistance to people with low income - build schools - maintains order through laws Good government tries to pursue policies that serve the public interest.