Introducing Government in America Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Thirteenth AP* Edition Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry Chapter 1 Introducing Government in America Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Bellringer 2/1 Political knowledge A. is greater among youth than the elderly B. fosters political tolerance C. is not that important in a democracy D. is generally high in the US E. none of the above Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Introduction Politics and government matter. Politics: The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what polices these leaders pursue. Government: the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Introduction Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American youth are not likely to be informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Introduction Why are young people apathetic? Vote doesn’t matter/count (political efficacy) Time/interest Lack of knowledge Greater distractions/accessibility Why does this matter? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Government Government is the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern? Who holds power and influences policies? Types of Government What should government do? How government works and what is does Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Government Governments typically: Maintain a national defense Provide services Public goods Private Collect taxes Socialize the young Preserve order Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Politics Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they produce politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. Also consider who gets what, when and how. Who: voters, candidates, groups, parties What: substance of politics How: voting, supporting, lobbying Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

The Policymaking System The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time Figure 1.4 The six items are hyperlinked to their own slide. A return button is also on the slide. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 People Interests Problems Concerns Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Linkage Institutions Linkage institutions are the political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Policy Agenda The policy agenda are issues that attract the serious attention of public officials. Political issues arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it. Some issues will be considered, and others will not. People's concerns A government’s policy agenda changes regularly. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Policymaking Institutions Policymaking institutions are the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. Legislature (Congress) Executive (President) Courts (Federal and State) Bureaucracies (Federal and State) Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Policies Impact People Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Policies Impact People Impacts of Policies: Does it solve the problem? Does it create more problems? Depending on the answer, policy impacts carry the political system back to its point of origin: the concerns of people. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Democracy Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. Direct: (initiative and referendum) Representative: relationship between the few leaders and the many followers How did the founders feel about democracy? Power in the people’s hands? What type of government is America? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Democracy Components of Traditional Democratic Theory: Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion Democracies must practice majority rule, however there are certain restraints. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Bellringer 2/3 Which of the following is not one of the cornerstones of an ideal democracy? A. enlightened understanding B. effective participation C. citizen control of the agenda D. economic equality E. equality in voting

Theories of U.S. Democracy Theories of American democracy are theories about who has power and influence. “Who really governs in our nations?” Theories Pluralist Elite and class theory Hyperpluralism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OvY8E_Jcbc Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

How is political power distributed? Theories of American democracy are theories about who has power and influence. “Who really governs in our nations?” Theories Majoritarian politics Concept where nearly everyone has a say in making a decision Will of the majority; populist view Elitist politics Concept where decisions are made by groups with a disproportionate amount of political power

How is political power wielded? When do majoritarian politics prevail? Why? When do elitist politics prevail? Are there groups you feel have too much power? Examples? Is their authority legitimate?

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 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 Class: influenced by economic elites-those who control the economy, control the government. Capitalists dominate the economy and therefore government Elite: Tied to those in government making decisions based on political favors Not all groups equal; Policies benefit those with money and power Trailer Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 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 Policy is the outcome of political haggling, compromise, & shifting alliances among groups Public interest will prevail through bargaining and compromise Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Hyperpluralism A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Groups control policy and prevent government from acting Difficulty in coordinating policy implementation Confusing and contradictory policies result from politicians trying to placate every group Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Bureaucratic Theory Government power is in the hands of a small group of bureaucrats (civil servants) who translate law into policy. Bureaucrats enforce policies according to their own guidelines. Bureaucrats are hired for expertise but rarely fired for incompetence. Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008 Theories of Democracy Pros and Cons of each theory… Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Challenges to Democracy Increased Technical Expertise Limited Participation in Government Escalating Campaign Costs Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock) Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

American Political Culture and Democracy Political Culture: An overall set of values widely shared within a society. American culture is diverse and comprised of: Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008

Questions About Democracy People Are people knowledgeable about policy? Do they apply what the know when they vote? Linkage institutions Do interest groups help the process or get in the way? Does the media help citizens understand? Institutions Is Congress a representative institution? Does the president look after the general welfare?

Questions about the Scope of Government Public and Linkage Institutions Does the public favor a large, active government? Do elections control the scope of government? Does pressure from interest groups create a bigger government? Elected institutions Can the president control a large government? Is Congress predisposed to support big government? Nonelected institutions Are the federal courts too active in policy making and intruding on the other branches Is the bureaucracy constantly trying to expand its budget or is it simply reflecting the desires of elected officials? Pearson Education, Inc., Longman © 2008