Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Insert: Book Cover (when available)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
The Nature of Politics To understand the nature of politics, we must examine: Politics and Power The Bases of Political Power Politics and Government
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Nature of Politics Politics and Power Politics: A process by which values are authoritatively allocated for a society. Political power: The ability to influence the political behavior of others. M
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Nature of Politics The Bases of Political Power Legitimacy, which can come from 3 sources: Tradition Personal charisma An accepted body of laws
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Nature of Politics Politics and Government Government: The institutions and processes by which rules and decisions are made and enforced for all members of a society.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy To understand the meaning of democracy, we must examine: The Bases of Democracy
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Democracy: A form of government in which government’s decisions are grounded in the freely given consent of the people, who are guaranteed essential rights. Direct democracy: Citizens participate directly in making policy decisions. Representative democracy: Citizens transfer their power to people they elect to represent them.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy A New England town meeting, an example of direct democracy
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy The Bases of Democracy Self-Government People are sufficiently rational to govern themselves.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy The Social Contract John Locke (1632–1704) believed that government protects citizens’ natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property. John Locke (1632 – 1704)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy The Social Contract People come together in civil society, agreeing on a form of government and laws. If government fails to protect the rights of the people, they have the right to abolish it. Locke’s ideas influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the Declaration of Independence.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy “We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government... ” Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826)
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Majority Rule Under civil society, people are protected but not entirely free. They must live under the will of the majority. Minority Rights In a democracy, the minority retains essential rights.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Limited Government Limits on government power protect minority rights. In a constitutional democracy, a written constitution defines government’s limits and limits majority power.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Democratic Institutions The U.S. Constitution established 3 branches of government: Legislative Executive Judicial This separation of powers prevents a concentration of authority.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Free Elections Allow citizen to express their policy preferences Encourage responsiveness of elected officials Allow for a peaceful transfer of power
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy An Organized Opposition A democracy allows opens criticism of those in office. The major parties are free to criticize acts of the president’s administration and the other major party in Congress.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Free Expression of Ideas Democratic dialogue relies on freedom of speech, press, and assembly, and the right to petition government.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. The Meaning of Democracy Equality Economic equality Legal and political equality Universal Education Jefferson believed public education was needed for a free nation.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Democracy and Diversity Understanding Democracy and Diversity
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Democracy and Diversity The U.S. population continues to increase, particularly in the South and West. The population is aging. The population is becoming more diverse. Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing group.
Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Democracy and Diversity Newly naturalized citizens take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.
