Why+Governments?

Why do we need/have government?

We, the citizens, need the government to help us protect our rights and to ensure they don’t get violated. The government is the one who makes the laws, to guide and help people to be more civilized and to avoid conflict with other people or nation. The government does not only make laws but they also make sure that they are enforced and don’t get violated. We also need the governments; so that we can have public safety and services because they provide us with hospitals, fire stations, police departments, etc. We also need the government to limit our abilities to oppress or hurt other people physically or verbally. The governments maintain order in citizens, so that there would not be any chaos or disruption. The government is also the one who makes decisions for the country. The people need someone to lead them to have what they want and what they need.

What is its purpose?

-The government rules the country and its people -The government provides laws and constitutions -The government serves its people (by building infrastructures and public areas) -The government is the one who handles the whole country including its economy, the citizens, the environment, etc. -To maintain order -To provide basic security -To To provide public services like hospitals, fire station, police departments, etc

More info: Governments provide the important services, they control the country, without them there will be no country, because there will be corruption, crimes, and other things that will destroy the people in the area, and people must have who can control them and provide them the good services.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVsjZBy7hww&feature=player_embedded

Here is an interesting video created by the John Birch Society. Watch it and complete the following:

1. Define democracy. -Democracy is a form of government that is ruled by the majority or by the people.

2. Define Republic. -A republic government is limited or follows a strict rule or law.

3. Do you agree with this interpretation of what a democracy is as stated in the video? -No

4. Define constitutional monarchy. -A constitutional monarchy is ruled by a monarch which acts as the head of state and follows a constitution.

5. List if and why these countries are democracies:
 * Constitutional Monarchy || Democracy? Why or why not? ||
 * Bahrain || No, because Bahrain's form of government is constitutional monarchy. Which means they are ruled by a king. ||
 * Canada || No, because Canada's form of government is constitutional monarchy. They are ruled by a queen but she has limited powers over Canada. The real power is held by a prime minister and the parliament of Canada. ||
 * Saudi Arabia || No, because Saudi Arabia's form of government is absolute monarchy where the king acts as the head of state and the head of the government. ||
 * Sweden || No, because Sweden's form of government is constitutional monarchy. ||


 * Revolutionary Thinkers and Politics– A Discussion in Character **
 * (Answer these using bullet points or brief notes and be prepared to use them in your discussion – Please copy these onto your “Why Governments?” wiki page)**


 * Who was your character and what were they known for? **

-Mary Wollstonecraft is a feminist, British writer and philosopher who wrote the book 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman' wherein she argues and proves that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She believes that when women receive proper education, they can be good wives and mothers and can later on contribute positively to the nation. She says that all human beings must be treated equally regardless of their sex.


 * Clearly explain several ways in which your character "saw" things differently than other characters, or other people during this time in history. **

-During her time, women were given limited careers and opportunities especially the poor women. Wollstonecraft had a big impact on how people see women and what they are capable of.

Include in your answer the person’s thoughts pertaining to the following categories:


 * What should be the relationship between individuals and society? That is: What responsibilities do we have to each other? Can we do as we please? Is society more important than the individuals that make it up?

According to Wollstonecraft, the individuals are responsible for developing and discovering their own potentials. She believes that the happiness and prosperity of an individual is more significant than the society as a whole. Individuals acquires and practices their virtuousness and morality at home where they learn to be independent, keeping in mind their responsibilities as individuals in the society
 * What are the limits of freedom?

Individuals should be given the freedom to make moral choices and to partake in improving the society. She believes that intellect is a powerful tool in retaining one’s freedom. By being intellectual, a person can avoid being oppressed by the government.
 * Do they ascribe preference to positive over negative freedoms or vice versa? What ontology is this based on?

I think Wollstonecraft was more on positive freedom because she talks about how women should be given more opportunities and freedom to do what they please.


 * Is freedom of speech a good idea, or freedom of action between consenting adults?

Yes, people should be given the right to express what they feel and what they think as long as they do not violate other people's rights and freedom.
 * Should any rights should be allowed or limited?

Rights help maintain orderliness amongst the people. But these rights should not abuse a person's freedom. Wollstonecraft, also wanted women to be given more rights (work, etc.)


 * When may government act against the will of a citizen, and when should a citizen act against his or her government?

A country must have a reasonable government who doesn’t reinforces and tolerates terror and fear within their own people through executions or midnight raids.
 * What is the purpose of government?

The government is the one who is responsible for managing the people and their actions. They are also the ones who require order among the society.
 * What characterizes a good government?

A good government must be reasonable, sensible, rational, and logical.
 * Theories of Social organization?


 * Political order and organization (What legitimates leadership? What is just and what is justice?)


 * Other information that aided or broadened our understanding of the importance of these ideas today.

What was the impact of these ideas then and how have they influenced the way we see things now?

How were their ideas different from established ideas of the day?

During her time, women were inferior to men. She was determined to make a change and to voice out what women want. She was willing to step out and make others realize that women are also capable of doing things.

How or why did time and place bias your character’s ideas or another’s responses to their ideas?

Would any one of these thinkers be considered the more significant than another? Give two examples of who, and why?

I think all these philosophers played a big role in changing what we all know. They all changed different things, which make them all significant.

What present day revolutions in thinking (social, political or scientific) are taking place? How are they influencing the way we live? Will this have an effect on the way we think politics should work? Would your thinker support these new ideas?

For Wollstonecraft, I think she had a big impact on how people see women and what they are capable of. People have become more aware that women can also contribute in making the society better. Nowadays, women are given more opportunities, but in some places women are still not allowed to work.


 * ~ Politics ||
 * **//Libertarian//** || **//Authoritarian//** ||
 * //Liberal// || //Conservative// ||
 * Obama || Hitler ||
 * Ghandi || Mao ||
 * India || Stalin ||
 * Canada || Mussollini ||
 * = US ||
 * || Saudi ||
 * || Thailand ||
 * || China ||
 * || North Korea ||
 * = Jordan ||

It is difficult to separate the political an economic concepts of many leaders or nations into two simple categories. All are mixtures that require interpretation based on events of history or events of the day.
 * ~ Economics ||
 * **//Left//** || **//Right//** ||
 * Mao (Communist) || Free makets ||
 * North Korea || Margaret Thatcher ||
 * China || Ronald Reagan ||
 * || Hitler? ||
 * || Saudi ||
 * || India ||
 * || Jordan ||
 * = Canada ||
 * Sweden || US ||
 * || UK ||
 * Reflection:**

1.) Conservatism- group rights -desire to maintain existing order- change is slow -Social norm should be maintained (group based) (Community important) -negative rights -Must be free from...(Protect people from harm)
 * Political spectrum:**

2.)Liberalism- change based on individual needs -individual rights are more important than groups. Individual decisions priority over group norms -positive rights -Right to...[Give rights to people(What they want to do with their life)]

3.) Socialism- equality/equity/distribution -believe in some form of government involvement in creating fair distribution of wealth