Introducing Government in America Chapter 1

Introduction Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American youth are less likely to be informed about government and politics and participate less in politics.

Introduction The Political Disengagement of College Students Today (Figure 1.1)

Introduction

Introduction Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age (Figure 1.3)

Government Definition: – The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. This definition leads to two basic questions: – How should we govern? – What should government do?

Politics Definition: – The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. Also consider Lasswell’s definition: – Who gets what, when and how.

Figure 1.3 The Policymaking System The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. Figure 1.4

People Interests Problems Concerns

Linkage Institutions Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups Linkage institution are the key between the preferences of the citizens and the government policy agenda

Policy Agenda Political Issues – These arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it. Some issues will be considered, and others will not. A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.

Policymaking Institutions Legislature (Congress) Executive (President) Courts (Federal and State) Bureaucracies (Federal and State)

Policy Impacts People

Impacts of Policies: Does it solve the problem? Does it create more problems?

Democracy Definition: – A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. Equality in voting- principle of “one person, one vote” is basic to democracy Effective participation- political participation must be representative Enlightened understanding-free press and free speech are essential to civic understanding Citizen control of the agenda- citizens should have the collective right to control the governments policy agenda Inclusion- citizenship must be open to all within a nation

Theories of U.S. Democracy Pluralist Theory – A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Groups will work together Public interest will prevail Bargaining and Compromise are essential ingredients of our democracy

Theories of U.S. Democracy Elite and Class Theory – A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. Not all groups are equal Policies benefit those with money / power

Theories of U.S. Democracy Hyperpluralism (pluralism gone sour) – A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Many groups are so strong that government is unable to act Confusing / contradictory policies

Challenges to Democracy Increased Technical Expertise Limited Participation in Government Escalating Campaign Costs Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)

Questions About Democracy Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know? Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way? Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters? Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of ALL the people?

American Individualism Individualism is the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government. Individualism is highly valued in the United States with a strong preference for free markets and limited government.

Questions about the Scope of Government How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government? Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms? Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued Do competing political parties make for better policies? Do more interest groups create a bigger government? Does the media help control the size and policies government?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big? Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups? Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government? Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?