Political Definitions

Term Definition in their words Translation into your words Example of politics in the U.S.
1.Politics
● Do you have politics at home or in relationships?
● Do we have politics at schools and at work?
● If everyone was equal and we had unlimited resources would we have politics?
Term Definition in their words Translation into your words List two things all governments do
2.Government
● Why do we even have governments to begin with?
● How does the government exercise authority in the US?
● What can we do if we don’t like government authority?

1 answer

1. Politics

Term Definition in Their Words:
Politics encompasses the processes and methods of making decisions that apply to members of a group, involving conflict resolution, power dynamics, and the distribution of resources.

Translation into Your Words:
Politics is how decisions are made in groups, involving discussions, disagreements, who holds power, and how resources are shared.

Example of Politics in the U.S.:
Political debates during election campaigns, where candidates discuss policies and interact with each other to persuade voters.

2. Government

Term Definition in Their Words:
Government refers to the system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state, exercising authority through laws and institutions to maintain order, provide services, and protect citizens.

Translation into Your Words:
Government is the organization that makes and enforces laws, helping to manage society by keeping order, providing services, and ensuring safety.

List Two Things All Governments Do:

  1. Maintain Order: Governments establish laws and regulations to prevent chaos and protect citizens' rights.
  2. Provide Public Services: They offer essential services like education, transportation, and healthcare to support the welfare of the community.

Why Do We Even Have Governments to Begin With?
Governments are established to create structure in society, provide guidance on governance, ensure the protection of individuals’ rights, and address collective challenges.

How Does the Government Exercise Authority in the U.S.?
The U.S. government exercises authority through a system of laws, enforcement by law enforcement agencies, and institutional structures like Congress, the Presidency, and the Judiciary.

What Can We Do If We Don’t Like Government Authority?
Citizens can exercise their rights through voting, peaceful protests, petitions, or engaging in political discourse to advocate for change or challenge government decisions.