Chapter 1 The Study of the American Government The Study of the American Government

Objectives  Students should be able to:  1.List the two basic questions to be asked about government and show that they are distinct questions.  2. Explain how political change tends to make political scientists cautious in stating how politics works or what values dominate it.  3. Explain what is meant by political power. Relate it to authority, legitimacy, and democracy.  4. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to American government as democratic.  5. Provide definitions and examples of the four different types of policy outputs of government.  6. Explain the function of public opinion in the four types of policy outputs and indicate under what circumstances the public is most influential and least influential.  7. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter.  8. Describe the Marxist, elitist, bureaucratic, and pluralist theories. Indicate the advantages and shortcomings of each theory as described by the text.  Students should be able to:  1.List the two basic questions to be asked about government and show that they are distinct questions.  2. Explain how political change tends to make political scientists cautious in stating how politics works or what values dominate it.  3. Explain what is meant by political power. Relate it to authority, legitimacy, and democracy.  4. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to American government as democratic.  5. Provide definitions and examples of the four different types of policy outputs of government.  6. Explain the function of public opinion in the four types of policy outputs and indicate under what circumstances the public is most influential and least influential.  7. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter.  8. Describe the Marxist, elitist, bureaucratic, and pluralist theories. Indicate the advantages and shortcomings of each theory as described by the text.

Readings  Chapter 1, American Government,Wilson  Pluralism reading-courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School  The Power Elite reading- courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School  Chapter 1, American Government,Wilson  Pluralism reading-courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School  The Power Elite reading- courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School

 Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton  Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton

 What is Democracy?

 Democracy =  “government of the people”  Democracy =  “government of the people”

 Aristotle’s “rule of many”  Greek city-states  Direct Democracy  Describe  If this classroom were a direct democracy?  If this school were a direct democracy?  Positives?  Negatives?  Aristotle’s “rule of many”  Greek city-states  Direct Democracy  Describe  If this classroom were a direct democracy?  If this school were a direct democracy?  Positives?  Negatives?

 Democratic system:  acquire power through vote  Representative democracy / republic  Democratic system:  acquire power through vote  Representative democracy / republic

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  Government is based on the consent of the governed.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  Government is based on the consent of the governed.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  In a democracy, the people are sovereign; they are the highest form of political authority.  DO YOU FEEL SOVEREIGN -- EXPLAIN.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  In a democracy, the people are sovereign; they are the highest form of political authority.  DO YOU FEEL SOVEREIGN -- EXPLAIN.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organization, preparation, and training of political parties, electoral officials, and civil society organizations who monitor the process.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.  Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organization, preparation, and training of political parties, electoral officials, and civil society organizations who monitor the process.

 Democracy is not easy.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life.  HOW DO YOU PARTICIPATE?  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life.  HOW DO YOU PARTICIPATE?

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all citizens.  HOW DO PEOPLE DECIDE WHO TO VOTE FOR?  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all citizens.  HOW DO PEOPLE DECIDE WHO TO VOTE FOR?

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????  People should question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government authority.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.  PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????  People should question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government authority.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  You have the right to have your own beliefs, and to say and write what you think.  No one can tell you what you must think, believe, and say or not say.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  You have the right to have your own beliefs, and to say and write what you think.  No one can tell you what you must think, believe, and say or not say.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  There is freedom of religion. Everyone is free to choose their own religion and to worship and practice their religion as they see fit.  Every individual has the right to enjoy their own culture, along with other members of their group, even if their group is a minority.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  There is freedom of religion. Everyone is free to choose their own religion and to worship and practice their religion as they see fit.  Every individual has the right to enjoy their own culture, along with other members of their group, even if their group is a minority.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from them.  These rights are guaranteed under international law.  HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS??????  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from them.  These rights are guaranteed under international law.  HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS??????

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  HOWEVER, everyone has an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.  HOWEVER, everyone has an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.  Democracy is a system of rule by laws, not by individuals.  In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government.  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.  Democracy is a system of rule by laws, not by individuals.  In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government.

 Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.  All citizens are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender.  CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 50s/60s  Democratic system:  Representative democracy / republic  FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES  4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.  All citizens are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender.  CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 50s/60s

 WHAT GROUPS ARE STILL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?

 Democratic system:  acquire power through vote  Representative democracy / republic  Positives  Negatives  Democratic system:  acquire power through vote  Representative democracy / republic  Positives  Negatives

 WHY DO WE HAVE THE LATTER?  How is the Democratic System working in the United States?  WHY DO WE HAVE THE LATTER?  How is the Democratic System working in the United States?

 SO …….  Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton  SO …….  Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton

 What is power?

 Power = the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions  Examples of power?????  BAD  GOOD  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO  Power = the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions  Examples of power?????  BAD  GOOD  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO

 What is authority?

 Authority = the right to use power  Examples of authority?????  Authority = the right to use power  Examples of authority?????

 Authority = the right to use power  Political offices - the authority lies in the offices not the person  Respect the office even if you don’t respect the person.  What grants authority?  Authority = the right to use power  Political offices - the authority lies in the offices not the person  Respect the office even if you don’t respect the person.  What grants authority?

 What is legitimacy?

 Legitimacy = source of power  What establishes legitimacy in the United States?  Legitimacy = source of power  What establishes legitimacy in the United States?

 Legitimacy = the Constitution  1787 Constitutional Convention  Civil War  A continuation of the American Revolution  FDR’s New Deal  SIZE!!!!!!  Court Packing!!!!!!  Legitimacy = the Constitution  1787 Constitutional Convention  Civil War  A continuation of the American Revolution  FDR’s New Deal  SIZE!!!!!!  Court Packing!!!!!!

 It is legitimate if it is Democratic…  Alexander Hamilton worried we were too Democratic.  George Mason worried that we were not Democratic enough.  WHO WAS RIGHT?  It is legitimate if it is Democratic…  Alexander Hamilton worried we were too Democratic.  George Mason worried that we were not Democratic enough.  WHO WAS RIGHT?

 “ In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. ” – Federalist No. 51  “ In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. ” – Federalist No. 51

 Can government be strong enough to govern without threatening freedom?  WHO SHOULD GOVERN?  TO WHAT ENDS SHOULD THEY GOVERN?  Can government be strong enough to govern without threatening freedom?  WHO SHOULD GOVERN?  TO WHAT ENDS SHOULD THEY GOVERN?

 Who governs?

WHO GOVERNS?  Unions  Big Business  Special Interest  Wall Street  Bureaucrats  Unions  Big Business  Special Interest  Wall Street  Bureaucrats  Politicians  The People  The Military  The Media  White Males  Politicians  The People  The Military  The Media  White Males

TO WHAT END?   96% of all American families paid no federal income tax   96% of all American families paid no federal income tax  Today -  Most Americans pay 21% of their income  Today -  Most Americans pay 21% of their income