1. Democratic Political System
How Things Get Done in a Pluralistic Democratic State

2. Speaking the Language of Democracy
All states have some form of
Government- Institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens
Some states have
Democracy- A system of government in which people rule.
The United States has a
Republic- A (democratic) system of government in which people elect policy makers (representatives) who make policy to represent the will of the people
Our system is a contest
Policy- Government response to a problem or issue
Politics- The struggle to control policy making

3. The Democratic Political System is a set of institutions and activities that link together people and their government

4. People Interests, Concerns, Problems
Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups
Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy
Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision
People Interests, Concerns, Problems

5. People Interests, Concerns, Problems
Concerns: gas prices, crime, college tuition, Social Security…
Interests: boating, cycling, art…
Problems: paying bills, noisy neighbors, trash pick up,

6. Linkage Institutions People Interests, Concerns, Problems
Political Parties: nominate candidates for office, represent political ideologies
Elections: Allow us to vote for candidates who promise to represent our views
Interest Groups: organizations that represent a group’s interest by influencing policy makers. Ex. NRA, AEA, Oil Industry
Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

7. Policy-Making Institutions
People Interests, Concerns, Problems
Policy-Making Institutions
Legislature: makes laws addressing issues and concerns, Ex- minimum wage laws
Executive: (President, Governor) enforces those laws
Courts: settle disputes over the law, interprets the law
Bureaucracy: government agencies responsible for running the government
Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups
Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

8. Policies People Interests, Concerns, Problems
Laws: increasing mileage requirements for cars,
Regulations: food labels, emissions standards
Spending: increasing Social Security benefits
Taxes or Tax Cuts: reducing federal gasoline tax
Programs: Free or reduced lunch
Not Doing Anything What?
Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups
Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy
Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision

9. People People Interests, Concerns, Problems
New concerns, interests, and problems…
Ex.- increasing Social Security taxes makes it difficult for young workers to save for college
Pluralism- governing by satisfying diverse and competing interest
The process occurs at federal, state, and local levels of government between thousands of competing interests
Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups
Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy
Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision
People New Interests, Concerns, Problems

10. Any Questions?
Are you sure?