1. Chapter 1 The Study of American Government

2. Copyright © 2011 Cengage WHO GOVERNS? WHO GOVERNS? 1. How is political power actually distributed in America? 2. What explains major political change? TO WHAT ENDS? TO WHAT ENDS? 1. What value or values matter most in American democracy? 2. Are trade-offs among political purposes inevitable?

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4. Copyright © 2011 Cengage What Is Political Power? II:A-F Power–the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Power–the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Authority–the right to use power Authority–the right to use power Legitimacy–political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution Legitimacy–political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution

5. Pick the illegitimate leader!!! B.) Ortega C.) AhmedinejadD.) Abdul Of the following, who is legit and why or why not? 1) Was he elected in free and fair elections? 2) Does he represent the will of the people? A.) Bush

6. Copyright © 2011 Cengage What Is Democracy? III:A-B Democracy–the rule of many Democracy–the rule of many Direct or participatory democracy– government in which all or most citizens participate directly Direct or participatory democracy– government in which all or most citizens participate directly Representative democracy–a government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote. Representative democracy–a government in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote.

7. An Iraqi woman shows her purple finger indicating that she has voted in 2005, that country’s first free election in half a century, p. 6. AFP/Getty Images

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10. Is Representative Democracy Best? IV:A-D Aristotle defined democracy as rule ordinary people, most of whom would be poor Aristotle defined democracy as rule ordinary people, most of whom would be poor John Locke argued against powerful kings and in favor of popular consent John Locke argued against powerful kings and in favor of popular consent Thomas Hobbes argued that an absolute, supreme ruler was essential to prevent civil war Thomas Hobbes argued that an absolute, supreme ruler was essential to prevent civil war

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12. How Is Political Power Distributed? V:A-C Majoritarian politics – elected officials are the delegates of the people, acting as the people Majoritarian politics – elected officials are the delegates of the people, acting as the people Political elite – 4 descriptions Political elite – 4 descriptions elites reflect a dominant social classelites reflect a dominant social class a group of business, military, labor union, and elected officials control all decisionsa group of business, military, labor union, and elected officials control all decisions appointed bureaucrats run everythingappointed bureaucrats run everything representatives of a large number of interest groups are in chargerepresentatives of a large number of interest groups are in charge

13. Copyright © 2011 Cengage How Is Political Power Distributed? Class view–the government is dominated by capitalists Class view–the government is dominated by capitalists Power elite view–the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government Power elite view–the government is dominated by a few top leaders, most of whom are outside of government Bureaucratic view–the government is dominated by appointed officials Bureaucratic view–the government is dominated by appointed officials Pluralist view–the belief that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy Pluralist view–the belief that competition among all affected interests shapes public policy

14. Pluralism 1. Modern society consists of many groups (ex. Economic, religious, cultural, ethnic.) that compete with each other to achieve goals 2. Groups that influence gov’t, work hard, and have largest membership get what they want 3. Even if the average citizen does not keep up with politics, their interests will be protected by their group. 4. Groups must COMPROMISE to achieve goals

15. Arguments for and against the Pluralist view Relatively low numbers of people join interest groups. Relatively low numbers of people join interest groups. Poor citizens have less opportunity to join interest groups or contribute to them. Poor citizens have less opportunity to join interest groups or contribute to them. One can’t assume that group decisions are always in the best interest of the nation. One can’t assume that group decisions are always in the best interest of the nation. There is no unified majority in the US that always acts together. Gov’t leaders must please groups to gain votes and money to be reelected. Groups must compete for gov’t services and favorable laws. FORAGAINST

16. Elite Theory Control the economic system = control the political system. Control the economic system = control the political system. Politicians require massive funding to win elections, and rely on corporations to supply them. Politicians require massive funding to win elections, and rely on corporations to supply them.

20. These are only theories. They are people’s perception of our democracy and the way it functions. These are only theories. They are people’s perception of our democracy and the way it functions. Which theory is correct??? Which theory is correct??? Pluralist – most popular todayPluralist – most popular today Majoritarian – popular pre-1950’sMajoritarian – popular pre-1950’s Elite – rising since the 80’s (Michael Moore)Elite – rising since the 80’s (Michael Moore) Bureaucratic – gov’t spending more than ever before just to run itselfBureaucratic – gov’t spending more than ever before just to run itself

21. CHECKPOINT! What theory is supported by the fact that… 1. The US holds mainly elections where the person who receives the most votes wins. 1.Majorative 2. Most US representatives are upper class people. 1.Elitist 3. The President appoints hundreds of people for gov’t jobs or judgeships, all have special powers. 1.Bureaucratic 4. Interest groups spend millions of dollars toward campaigns of favored candidates. 1.Pluralist 5. Gov’t can call for referendums, or votes by the people to pass or strike down potential laws. 1.Majorative 6. The candidate who raises the most money for an election almost always wins. 1.Elitism

22. Copyright © 2011 Cengage Is Democracy Driven by Self-Interest? VI:A-C A policy may be good or bad independent of the motives of the person who decided it. A policy may be good or bad independent of the motives of the person who decided it. The self-interest of individuals often is an incomplete guide to their actions. The self-interest of individuals often is an incomplete guide to their actions. Many of the most important political happenings in U.S. were led against long odds by people who risked much knowing that they might not succeed and suspecting that, even if they did succeed, generations might pass before their efforts truly benefited anyone. Many of the most important political happenings in U.S. were led against long odds by people who risked much knowing that they might not succeed and suspecting that, even if they did succeed, generations might pass before their efforts truly benefited anyone.

23. Copyright © 2011 Cengage What Explains Political Change? VII:A-C Government and its policies are shaped by Government and its policies are shaped by Economic interestsEconomic interests Powerful elitesPowerful elites Entrenched bureaucratsEntrenched bureaucrats Competing pressureCompeting pressure groups groups Morally impassionedMorally impassioned individuals individuals Enigma/Alamy

24. Copyright © 2011 Cengage What Explains Political Change? The dominant political problem of the time shapes the nature of day-to-day political conflict through The dominant political problem of the time shapes the nature of day-to-day political conflict through Deep-seated beliefsDeep-seated beliefs Major economic developmentsMajor economic developments Widely shared (or competing) opinionsWidely shared (or competing) opinions

25. Copyright © 2011 Cengage The Nature of Politics VIII:A-D Judgments about institutions and interests can be made only after one has seen how they behave on a variety of important issues or potential issues, such as Judgments about institutions and interests can be made only after one has seen how they behave on a variety of important issues or potential issues, such as economic policyeconomic policy the regulation of businessthe regulation of business social welfaresocial welfare civil rights and libertiescivil rights and liberties foreign and military affairsforeign and military affairs

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