Introducing Government in America Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition Chapter 1 Introducing Government in America Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

Introduction Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American youth are not likely to be informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics.

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Government Definition: 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? What should government do? Governments typically maintain a national defense, provide services, collect taxes, and preserve order.

Politics Definition: Also consider Lasswell’s definition: 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 Lasswell’s definition: Who gets what, when and how.

The Policymaking System The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time The six items are hyperlinked to their own slide. A return button is also on the slide.

People Interests Problems Concerns

Linkage Institutions Definition: 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

Policy Agenda Definition: 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. A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.

Policymaking Institutions Definition: 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)

Policies Impact People Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue.

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.

Democracy Definition: Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. Components of Traditional Democratic Theory: Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion

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 through bargaining and compromise

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 equal Policies benefit those with money and power

Theories of U.S. Democracy 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

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

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

Questions About Democracy People Are people knowledgeable about policy? Do they apply what the know when they vote? Do elections facilitate political participation? Institutions Is Congress a representative institution? Does the president look after the general welfare?

Questions About Democracy Linkage Institutions Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way? Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters or do they intentionally obscure their positions? Do media help citizens understand choices?

How Active is American Government? It spends about $3.1 trillion annually It employs over 2.2 million people It owns one-third of the land It occupies 2.6 billion square feet of office space It owns and operates 400,000 nonmilitary vehicles

Questions about the Scope of Government Constitution and Federalism What role does the Constitution’s authors foresee for the federal government? Does the Constitution favor government with a broad scope? Why did functions of federal government increase? Has a more active government constrained or protected civil rights and liberties?

Questions about the Scope of Government Public and Linkage Institutions Does the public favor a large, active government? Do competing political parties force government to provide more public services? Do elections control the scope of government? Does pressure from interest groups create a bigger government? Has the media helped control the size of government and its policies?

Questions about the Scope of Government Elected Institutions Has the president been a driving force behind increasing the scope and power of government? Can the president control a large government? Is Congress predisposed to support big government? Is Congress too responsive to the public and interest groups?

Questions about the Scope of Government Nonelected Institutions Are the federal courts too active in policy making, intruding on the authority of other branches of government? Is the bureaucracy constantly try to expand its budget or is it simply reflecting the desires of elected officials? Is the federal bureaucracy too large and thus wasteful and inefficient in the implementation of policy?

Summary Young people are apathetic about government and politics, even though they affect everyone. Democratic government, which is how the United States is governed, consists of those institutions that make policy for the benefit of the people. What government should do to benefit the people is a topic central to questions of American government.

The Constitution Chapter 2 Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition Chapter 2 The Constitution Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

Constitution Definition Sets the broad rules of the game A constitution is a nation’s basic law. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens. Sets the broad rules of the game The rules are not neutral; some participants and policy options have advantages over others.

Origins of the Constitution The Road to Revolution Colonists faced tax increases after the French and Indian War. Colonists lacked direct representation in parliament. Colonial leaders formed the Continental Congress to address abuses of the English Crown.

Origins of the Constitution

Origins of the Constitution Declaring Independence In May and June 1776, the Continental Congress debated resolutions for independence. The Declaration of Independence, which listed the colonists grievances against the British, is adopted on July 4, 1776. Politically, the Declaration was a polemic, announcing and justifying revolution.

Origins of the Constitution The English Heritage: The Power of Ideas Natural rights: rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on government Consent of the governed: government derives its authority by sanction of the people Limited Government: certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect natural rights of citizens

Origins of the Constitution

Origins of the Constitution Winning Independence In 1783, the American colonies prevailed in their war against England. The “Conservative” Revolution Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost Not a major change of lifestyles

The Government That Failed The Articles of Confederation The first document to govern the United States, it was adopted in 1777 and ratified in 1781. It established a confederation, a “league of friendship and perpetual union” among 13 states and former colonies. Congress had few powers; there was no president or national court system. All government power rested in the states.

The Government That Failed Changes in the States Liberalized voting laws increased political participation and power among a new middle class. An expanding economic middle class of farmers and craft workers counterbalanced the power of the old elite of professionals and wealthy merchants. Ideas of equality spread and democracy took hold.

The Government that Failed

The Government That Failed Economic Turmoil Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay debts State legislatures sympathetic to farmers and passed laws that favored debtors over creditors Shays’ Rebellion Series of attacks on courthouses by a small band of farmers led by Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays to block foreclosure proceedings. Economic elite concerned about Articles’ inability to limit these violations of individual’s property rights

The Government That Failed The Aborted Annapolis Meeting An attempt to discuss changes to the Articles of Confederation in September 1786 Attended by only 12 delegates from 5 states Called for a meeting in May 1787 to further discuss changes—the Constitutional Convention

Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention Gentlemen in Philadelphia 55 men from 12 of the 13 states Mostly wealthy planters and merchants Most were college graduates with some political experience Many were coastal residents from the larger cities, not the rural areas

The Philadelphia Convention Philosophy into Action Human Nature, which is self-interested Political Conflict, which leads to factions Objects of Government, including the preservation of property Nature of Government, which sets power against power so that no one faction rises above and overwhelms another

The Agenda in Philadelphia The Equality Issues Equality and Representation of the States New Jersey Plan—equal representation in states Virginia Plan—population-based representation Connecticut Compromise Slavery Three-fifths compromise Political Equality and voting left to states

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Agenda in Philadelphia The Economic Issues States had tariffs on products from other states Paper money was basically worthless Congress couldn’t raise money Actions taken: Powers of Congress to be strengthened Powers of states to be limited

The Agenda in Philadelphia

The Agenda in Philadelphia The Individual Rights Issues Some were written into the Constitution: Prohibits suspension of writ of habeas corpus No bills of attainder No ex post facto laws Religious qualifications for holding office prohibited Strict rules of evidence for conviction of treason Right to trial by jury in criminal cases Some were not specified Freedom of speech and expression Rights of the accused

The Madisonian Model To prevent a tyranny of the majority, Madison proposed a government of: Limiting Majority Control Separating Powers Creating Checks and Balances Establishing a Federal System

The Madisonian Model

The Madisonian Model

The Madisonian Model The Constitutional Republic Republic: A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws Favors the status quo – change is slow The End of the Beginning The document was approved, but not unanimously. Now it had to be ratified.

Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution Federalist Papers A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, drafted in response to some of the Anti-Federalist concerns about the lack of basic liberties

Ratifying the Constitution

Ratifying the Constitution Ratification Lacking majority support, the Federalists specified that the Constitution be ratified by state conventions, not state legislatures. Delaware first ratified the Constitution on December 7, 1787. New Hampshire’s approval (the ninth state to ratify) made the Constitution official six months later.

Constitutional Change

Constitutional Change The Informal Process of Constitutional Change Judicial Interpretation Marbury v. Madison (1803): judicial review Changing Political Practice Technology Increasing Demands on Policymakers

The Importance of Flexibility The Constitution is short, with fewer than 8,000 words. It does not prescribe every detail. There is no mention of congressional committees or independent regulatory commissions. The Constitution is not static, but flexible for future generations to determine their own needs.

Understanding the Constitution The Constitution and Democracy The Constitution is rarely described as democratic. There has been a gradual democratization of the Constitution. The Constitution and the Scope of Government Much of the Constitution reinforces individualism and provides multiple access points for citizens. It also encourages stalemate and limits government.

Summary The Constitution was ratified to strengthen congressional economic powers, even with disagreements over issues of equality. Protection of individual rights guaranteed through the Bill of Rights. Formal and informal changes continue to shape our Madisonian system of government.

Federalism Chapter 3 Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy Fourteenth Edition Chapter 3 Federalism Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

Defining Federalism What is Federalism? Federalism: a way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have formal authority over the land and people Unitary governments: a way of organizing a nation so that all power resides in the central government Confederation: The United Nations is a modern example. Intergovernmental Relations: the workings of the federal system- the entire set of interactions among national, state and local governments

Defining Federalism

Defining Federalism Why Is Federalism So Important? Decentralizes our politics More opportunities to participate Decentralizes our policies Federal and state governments handle different problems. States regulate drinking ages, marriage, and speed limits. States can solve the same problem in different ways and tend to be policy innovators.

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism The Division of Power Supremacy Clause: Article VI of the Constitution states the following are supreme: The U.S. Constitution Laws of Congress Treaties Yet, national government cannot usurp state powers. Tenth Amendment

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism Establishing National Supremacy Implied and enumerated powers McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) Commerce Powers Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) The Civil War (1861-1865) The Struggle for Racial Equality Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

The Constitutional Basis of Federalism States’ Obligations to Each Other Full Faith and Credit: Each state must recognize official documents and judgments rendered by other states. Article IV, Section I of Constitution Privileges and Immunities: Citizens of each state have privileges of citizens of other states. Article IV, Section 2 of Constitution Extradition: States must return a person charged with a crime in another state to that state for punishment.

Intergovernmental Relations Today Dual Federalism Definition: a system of government in which both the states and the national government remain supreme within their own spheres, each responsible for some policies Like a layer cake Narrowly interpreted powers of federal government Ended in the 1930s

Intergovernmental Relations Today Cooperative Federalism Definition: a system of government in which powers and policy assignments are shared between states and the national government Like a marble cake Shared costs and administration States follow federal guidelines

Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism Definition: the pattern of spending, taxing, and providing grants in the federal system The cornerstone of the national government’s relations with state and local governments

Intergovernmental Relations Today

Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism (continued) The Grant System: Distributing the Federal Pie Categorical Grants: federal grants that can be used for specific purposes; grants with strings attached Project Grants: based on merit Formula Grants: amount varies based on formulas Block Grants: federal grants given more or less automatically to support broad programs Grants are given to states and local governments.

Intergovernmental Relations Today Fiscal Federalism (continued) The Scramble for Federal Dollars $460 billion in grants every year Grant distribution follows universalism—a little something for everybody. The Mandate Blues Mandates direct states or local governments to comply with federal rules under threat of penalties or as a condition of receipt of a federal grant. Unfunded mandates

Understanding Federalism Advantages for Democracy Increases access to government Local problems can be solved locally Hard for political parties or interest groups to dominate all politics Disadvantages for Democracy States have different levels of service Local interest can counteract national interests Too many levels of government and too much money

Understanding Federalism

Understanding Federalism

Understanding Federalism Federalism and the Scope of Government What should the scope of national government be relative to the states? National power increased with industrialization, expansion of individual rights, and social services. Most problems require resources afforded to the national, not state governments.

Understanding Federalism

Summary American federalism is a governmental system in which power is shared between a central government and the 50 state governments. The United States has moved from dual to cooperative federalism; fiscal federalism. Federalism leads to both advantages and disadvantages to democracy.