1. Constitutional Underpinnings
Defining Government & The Purpose of Politics

2. Two Central Questions How should we be governed?
This course examines the workings of democratic government (“good government”).
WHO holds power (and/or authority and who influences the policies adopted by government.
What should government do?
Does our government do what we want it to do?
The essence of politics.

3. What is Government? Government:
“the institution that makes and enforces public policies.”
Public policy: things a government decides to do or not do.
imposing an income and/or property taxes
minimum wages
maintaining armed forces.
Government, politics and public policy are interrelated.

4. Every government has means of changing leaders
Orderly & peaceful transition (US)
Violent revolution (1917 Russian Revolution)
In between (Fall of communism in East Germany)

5. What do governments do?
Regardless of how they assume power, all serve same purpose.
Functions of government:
Maintain national defense
Provide public goods
Provide order
Provide public services
Socialize the young into the political culture
Collect taxes.

6. Individuals form governments for the following reasons…
The purpose of the US Government is clearly communicated in the Preamble of the Constitution.
Form a more perfect union: in unity there is strength.
To establish justice: justice is the reasonable, and impartial administration of the law. “equal protection under the law”.
To insure domestic tranquility: without order, people would live in anarchy, and insecurity.
Provide for the common defense: the country’s security rest upon wise defense & foreign policies.
To promote general welfare: the country has a responsibility to provide a variety of public services.
To secure blessings of liberty: freedom is necessary for democracy.

7. Classifying government
No two governments are exactly alike.
Analyze government based upon:
Distribution of power
Relationship between Legislature & Executive branches.
The number who can participate.

8. Distribution of Power
Unitary Government: Centralized government. Local government is created by central government.
State governments
Example: Great Britain
Federal Government: Division of power between central and local governments.
Both act on their own sets of laws, officials, and agencies.
Example: United States
Confederation: Alliance of independent states; central government has limited power.
Government possesses little authority to act on it’s own
Confederation of Independent States (countries of former USSR).

9. Relationship between Legislative & Executive
Presidential System:
Promotes majority rule & plurality rule
Separation of powers.
Checks & balances
Executive powers not subject to direct control of the legislature
Prevents tyranny, but high transaction costs.
Branches are independent and coequal.
President chosen independently of the legislature.
Parliamentary System:
Promotes majority rule
Branches are inter-connected.
Legislative direct influence over executive.
Executive leader is of the majority party, and is chosen by parliament. (so is his cabinet).
Executive Branch is subject to direct control of legislature.

10. Participation in Government
Governments can form depending on number who can participate in governmental process.
Dictatorship: exercise absolute, not limited authority over the people.
Participation is limited to those who govern.
Government is NOT accountable to the people.
Democracy: sovereignty is located with the people who hold the power
consent of the governed (popular sovereignty).
Types:
Direct Democracy
Representative Democracy.

11. The Political System
Political system: set of institutions and activities that link together government, politics & public policy.
Political issues: arises when people disagree about problem or choice.
Linkage system: parties, elections, interest groups & media link preferences to policy agenda.

12. Traditional Democratic Theory
Specifies how a democratic government makes its decisions.
Robert Dahl’s lists five criteria that are essential for "an ideal democratic process":
equality in voting: “One person, one vote”
effective participation: must be representative
enlightened understanding: free press & free speech essential to civic understanding.
citizen control of the agenda:collective right to control government’s agenda.
inclusion: citizenship open to all.
Includes majority rule & preserve minority rights

13. Contemporary Theories of Democracy
Pluralist Theory
Competition for power and control over public policy.
No one group dominates.
Peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles.
Bargaining & compromise essential for democracy.
Powers dispersed among various branches of government.
Majority rule, not individual interest.

14. Contemporary Theories of Democracy
Elite Class Theory
Minority has power and controls public policy.
Based on social class.
Few have power, most do not.
Wealth/Big Business = power
Politics benefit wealthy, not majority of citizens.
Public interest is rarely translated into public policy.

15. Contemporary Theories of Democracy
Hyperpluralism:
The number of groups competing makes government is ineffective.
Argues that nobody rules.
Confusing, contradictory, and muddled policy (or no policy at all).
Pluralism gone bad. It's grid lock.
Public interest is rarely translated into public policy.

16. Challenges to Democracy
How can people confront complex issues?
TDT:
Ordinary citizens have good sense to reach political judgments
Government has capacity to act on these judgments.
It’s become more difficult to make knowledgeable decisions.
Elite no longer based on property, but knowledge.

17. Challenges to Democracy
Are citizens doing their job?
Citizens ignorant about leaders or policy decisions.
Lack of political participation HUGE concern.
Is American democracy dependent on money?
Campaign costs=dependency on PAC’s
PAC’s= undue influence on members of Congress, widens gap between DT and reality.

18. Challenges to Democracy
Can the political system adapt to rapidly changing world?
Rate of change has increased greatly over last three decades.
Are institutions capable of keeping up pace of change?
Does American diversity produce gridlock?
Is diversity shifting America from pluralism to hyperpluralism? (interest groups)
Decentralized government allows few groups to block policy, creating gridlock.

19. Political Involvement
Participation = ways in which people get involved in politics:
Voting
US = one of lowest voter turnout in world.
Low turnout effects who holds political power.
Vocational politics
Single-issue groups: interest group that votes on single issue.
Ignore politician’s stand on everything except issue.
Complicates efforts to find middle ground.

21. Public Policy End product of government & politics.
Citizens influence government policy.
Choice government makes in response to citizens influence.
Includes decisions & non-decisions of government.
Changes regularly.
Problems concerning voters.
Do candidate shares your views? (voting)

22. Purpose of Politics Politics:“who gets what, when and how.”
The media = who of politics- voters, candidates, groups & parties.
What = public policies enacted by government.
How = bargaining, supporting, compromising, and lobbying by citizens.
Politics determines whom we select as governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.