1. Chapter 1 Political Thinking: Becoming a Responsible Citizen
“The worth of the state, in the long run,
is the worth of the individuals composing it.”
John Stuart Mill
I. Learning to Think Politically
A. Barriers to Political Thinking
B. What Political Science Can Contribute to Political Thinking
C. Political Culture
II. Politics and Power in America
A. A Democratic System
B. A Constitutional System
C. A Free Market System
D. Who Does Govern?

2. I. Learning to Think Politically
Political thinking is the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming knowledgeable views of political developments.

3. I. Learning to Think Politically
Political thinking is a key to responsible citizenship, but many citizens avoid it by virtue of paying scant attention to politics.
Barriers to political thinking
Unwillingness to make an effort
Political “spin”
White House Press Office
Talking Points
Modern media
Liberal bias in “old media”
Right-wing radio and blogs
Internet & Social Media

4. I. Learning to Think Politically
The tools of political science can contribute to effective political thinking.
Reliable information about the U.S. political system
Systematic generalizations about major tendencies in U.S. politics
Terms and concepts that precisely describe the key aspects of politics

5. I. Learning to Think Politically
Political Culture
The characteristic and deep-seated beliefs of a particular people about government and politics.
Rooted in European heritage of the first white settlers.
America’s national identity rests largely upon shared political ideas
These beliefs are said to be mythic ideas
Symbolic postures that reflect partly what is ideal and partly what is real
Presentation by Eric Miller, Blinn College, Bryan, Texas. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. No part of this presentation may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

6. America’s Core Values Liberty Equality Self-Government Individualism
Unity
Diversity
Presentation by Eric Miller, Blinn College, Bryan, Texas. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. No part of this presentation may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

7. II. Politics & Power in America
Politics is the process by which it is determined whose values will prevail in society.
The basis of politics is conflict over scarce resources and competing values.
Those who have power win out in this conflict and are able to control governing authority and policy choices.

8. II. Politics & Power in America
Authoritarian governments openly repress their political opponents
Totalitarianism: no limits on the power of the state

9. II. Politics & Power in America
In the United States, no one faction controls all power and policy.
James Madison-Federalist No. 10-
the dangers of faction
Government is most dangerous when a single group is powerful enough to gain full political control
Majorities govern on some issues, while other issues are dominated by:
Groups
Elites
Corporations
Individuals through judicial action
Officials who hold public office.

10. II. Politics & Power in America
Politics in the United States plays out through rules of the game that include:
democracy
constitutionalism
A free market system

11. II. Politics & Power in America
Democracy is rule by the people, which in practice refers to a representative system of government in which the people rule through their elected officials.
Majority rule through elections
Empowers majorities (majoritarianism), groups (pluralism), and officials (authority)
“demos” + “kratis” = “the people rule.”

12. II. Politics & Power in America
Constitutionalism refers to rules that limit the rightful power of government over citizens.
Based on the rule of law
U.S. Constitution
Legal protections for individuals
Bill of Rights
Empowers individuals by enabling them to claim their rights in court (judicial action)
Gideon v. Wainwright- 6th Amendment
“…if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be will be appointed for you.”

13. II. Politics & Power in America
A free market system assigns private parties the dominant role in determining how economic costs and benefits are allocated.
A system that centers on transactions between private parties
Empowers business firms (corporate power) & the wealthy (elitism)

14. American Political System
Inputs
-Public Opinion
-Voting
-Interest Groups
Political Institutions
-Congress
-President
-Exec. Branch Agencies
-Courts
Outputs
-Laws
-Programs
-Other Actions
Based on Figure 1-4 page 29.
Presentation by Eric Miller, Blinn College, Bryan, Texas. Copyright © 2005 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. No part of this presentation may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher.

15. Ch. 1- Major Concepts political thinking
The careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue.
political science
The systematic study of government and politics.
politics
The process through which a society settles its conflicts.
power
The ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments.
democracy
A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.
majoritarianism
The idea that the majority prevails not only in elections but also in policy determination.
pluralism
A theory of American politics that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups.

16. Ch. 1- Major Concepts authority
The recognized right of officials to exercise power as a result of the positions they hold.
constitutionalism
The idea that there are definable limits on the rightful power of a government over its citizens.
judicial action
The use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts.
free market system
An economic system based on the idea that government should interfere with economic transactions as little as possible. Free enterprise and self-reliance are the collective and individual principles that underpin free markets.
corporate power
The power that corporations exercise in their effort to influence government and maintain control of the workplace.
elitism
The notion that wealthy and well-connected individuals exercise power over certain areas of public policy.
public policies
Decisions by government to pursue particular courses of action.