Democratic Political System How Things Get Done in a Pluralistic Democratic State

Speaking the Language of Democracy All states have some form of Government- Institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens Some states have Democracy- A system of government in which people rule. The United States has a Republic- A (democratic) system of government in which people elect policy makers (representatives) who make policy to represent the will of the people Our system is a contest Policy- Government response to a problem or issue Politics- The struggle to control policy making

The Democratic Political System is a set of institutions and activities that link together people and their government

People Interests, Concerns, Problems Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision People Interests, Concerns, Problems

People Interests, Concerns, Problems Concerns: gas prices, crime, college tuition, Social Security… Interests: boating, cycling, art… Problems: paying bills, noisy neighbors, trash pick up,

Linkage Institutions People Interests, Concerns, Problems Political Parties: nominate candidates for office, represent political ideologies Elections: Allow us to vote for candidates who promise to represent our views Interest Groups: organizations that represent a group’s interest by influencing policy makers. Ex. NRA, AEA, Oil Industry Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Policy-Making Institutions People Interests, Concerns, Problems Policy-Making Institutions Legislature: makes laws addressing issues and concerns, Ex- minimum wage laws Executive: (President, Governor) enforces those laws Courts: settle disputes over the law, interprets the law Bureaucracy: government agencies responsible for running the government Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policies People Interests, Concerns, Problems Laws: increasing mileage requirements for cars, Regulations: food labels, emissions standards Spending: increasing Social Security benefits Taxes or Tax Cuts: reducing federal gasoline tax Programs: Free or reduced lunch Not Doing Anything What? Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision

People People Interests, Concerns, Problems New concerns, interests, and problems… Ex.- increasing Social Security taxes makes it difficult for young workers to save for college Pluralism- governing by satisfying diverse and competing interest The process occurs at federal, state, and local levels of government between thousands of competing interests Linkage Institutions Political Parties, Elections, Interest Groups Policy Making Institutions Congress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy Policies Laws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes, Programs, Nondecision People New Interests, Concerns, Problems

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