GST 203: Introduction to Government, Society, and the Economy

Description

Week 1 lecture notes for the GST 203 course. This material provides a foundational look at how systems of power operate, the legal frameworks governing states, and the relationship between individuals, the society, and the economy. Key Highlights include: - Types of Government: Analysis of various systems including Monarchy (Absolute and Constitutional), Democracy (Direct and Representative), Military rule, Authoritarianism, Theocracy, and Oligarchy . - The Three Organs of Government: Functional breakdown of the Legislature (law-making), Executive (law-enforcing), and Judiciary (law-interpreting) . - Constitutional Principles: Definitions of written vs. unwritten and flexible vs. rigid constitutions, alongside the core tenets of the Rule of Law . - Citizenship and Participation: Methods of acquiring legal status (such as birth or naturalization) and the corresponding rights and duties of a citizen . - Political Involvement: Various forms of civic engagement, from voting and joining parties to running for office. - The Social-Economic Nexus: The interdependency between government regulation, social welfare, and economic stability (including taxation and spending policies).