1. One Republic—Two Americas?
Chapter One
One Republic—Two Americas?

2. Learning Outcomes
Define the institution of government and the process of politics.
Identify the political philosophers associated with the “social contract” and explain how this theory shapes our understanding of the purpose of government and the role for individuals and communities in the U.S.
Describe the U.S. political culture, and identify the set of ideas, values, and ways of thinking about government and politics shared by all.

3. Learning Outcomes
Compare and contrast types of government systems, and identify the source of power in each.
Define political ideology, and locate socialism, liberalism, conservatism, and libertarianism along the ideological spectrum.

4. Politics and Government
Politics: process of resolving conflicts and deciding who gets what, when and how
Selection of decision-makers
Structure of institutions
Creation of public policy
Government: formal institutions which allocate resources and resolve conflicts

5. Politics and Government
Why is government necessary?
Provide security
Protect liberty and rights
Maintain authority/legitimacy
President Gerald Ford served (Dick Halstead/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images)
“A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”
President Gerald Ford

6. Politics and Government
Fundamental values
Political culture (ideas, values, ways of thinking)
Shared by all Americans?
Result of political socialization
Liberty
Order and rule of law
Individualism
Equality
Property

7. Confidence in Institutions Declines
Figure 1-1: Gallup polling shows a loss in faith in institutions in the past 10 years, including steep declines regarding Congress, bank, and the presidency. (Source: Gallup)
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

8. Why Choose Democracy?
Governments vary in structure and how they govern
Totalitarian
Authoritarianism
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Political authority comes from citizens
Anarchy

9. Why Choose Democracy? Direct democracy as a model
Political decisions made by the people directly, not elected representatives
Attained most easily in small communities
Initiative/referendum/recall
Founders had reservations

10. Why Choose Democracy? A democratic republic Framers crafted a republic
Experimental
Power (votes) resides with the people
Representatives make policy and law
Representative democracy

11. Why Choose Democracy? Principles of democratic government
Universal suffrage
Majority rule and minority rights
Free elections
Limited government

12. Who Really Rules in America?
Majoritarianism: government ought to do what majority desire
Elitism: society ruled by small group wishing to further self-interests
Pluralism: conflict among interest groups
Bargaining
Compromise

13. Political Ideologies
Political ideology is closely linked set of beliefs about politics
Share societal goals and plan for achieving them
American politics focuses on conservatism and liberalism

14. Political Ideologies The traditional political spectrum
Compares ideologies on continuum based on:
Government influence over economy
Goals of government activity
Far left = socialism
Far right = libertarianism
Middle = liberal and conservative

15. The Traditional Political Spectrum
Table 1-1

16. Political Ideologies Conservatism Liberalism
Favor limited government economic involvement
Often favor government involvement in social issues to preserve traditional values
Liberalism
Favor government regulation of economy to benefit society
Tolerance for social change
Support for civil rights

17. Political Ideologies Socialism Libertarianism
Strong support for economic and social equality
Income redistribution
Libertarianism
Skepticism toward government
Laissez-faire capitalism
Oppose regulation of personal behavior

18. Political Ideologies
Liberal once meant limited government and no religion in politics
Classical liberals
Evolved into modern American meaning along with political evolution of Democratic Party
Meaning of liberal has not changed outside the U.S. and Canada

19. Political Ideologies
Conservatives traditionally supported maintaining traditions and opposing change
Today:
Economic conservatives
Social conservatives
Not necessarily politically united

20. Political Ideologies
Libertarians: extreme positions of both conservatives and liberals
Limited government power over economy
Complete freedom in social matters
Ron Paul, a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, is very popular among college students because of his libertarian positions emphasizing personal freedom. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning

21. The Challenge of Change
Demographic change in a democratic republic
Aging of citizens
Increased diversity
Decline in economic dominance
Globalization
Technology
Environmental change
Figure 1-2
(Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census)

22. Distribution of U.S. Population by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1980-2075
Figure 1-3
Data for 2025, 2050, and 2075 are projections. *Persons of Hispanic origin can be of any race. †The “multiracial or other” category in 2000 is not an official census category but represents all non-Hispanics who chose either “some other race” or two or more races in the 2000 census. (Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census.)

23. The Challenge of Change
Ethnic change
Latino voters tend to vote Democratic
Multiracial, multiethnic group interests
End of white dominance in political leadership?
Globalization
Employment patterns
Product quality/safety standards
No single national economic dominance

24. The Challenge of Change
The technology revolution
Affects communication, work and education
Eliminates boundaries
More people can compete, connect, collaborate

25. Social Networking Usage
Figure 1-4
Social networking today is a global phenomenon. Young people, in particular, are using the Internet for social networking. Figure 1–4 presents three important pieces of information. First, the bar for each country tells you what percentage of those using the Internet are using it for social networking and what percentage are not. For example, in the United States, 82 percent of the public use the Internet, but only 46 percent use it for social networking. The column on the far right gives the percentage of the public that does not use or have access to the Internet or .
*Respondents who do not use the internet or . Based on total sample. “Don’t know/Refused” not shown. Samples in China, India and Pakistan are disproportionately
urban. (Pew Research Center)

26. The Challenge of Change
Environmental change
Political, technological and global challenges
Global warming (more natural disasters, drought, starvation)
What do changes mean for you?
Can our government recognize and meet challenges in time?
Can we continue to embrace a single political culture?