THE STUDY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT Wilson Chapter One

Politics  Unity is rare  Differ in 2 areas  Who governs? Will affect what they to and for us  To what ends? How government affects our lives  Separate questions  Focus on who

To what ends?  What are the best things governments do?  Historic accomplishments Top ten list Page 4  What are the worst things governments do?  Historic failures Commission Omission

Who governs?  Power  Ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Congress passing legislation President sending troops into combat OR National press printing a photo Speechwriter crafting a press release  How is power used to affect who holds office?  How is power used to affect what government does?

Who governs?  Authority  The right to use power Varies over time Varies around the world  Legitimacy  Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution US Constitution Democratic

Democracy  Rule of the many  Direct  Participation Few people Narrow group Simple issues  Representative  Elitist Time Expertise Emotional

Republic  Constitution Constitution  “republican form of government”  Representative democracy  Used interchangeably with democracy  Competition for leadership  Meaningful choices  Free communication  “public good” vs. “will of the people”

Representative Democracy  Minimize the abuse of power  Overcome popular tyranny  Lack of knowledge  Susceptible to manipulation  Access to time and information  Rule of law  Best system?

Distribution of power  Majoritarian politics  Leaders follow the wishes of the people  Applies when issues are simple and clear  Elitism  Persons who possess a disproportionate share of power  Four theories of elitist power

Elitist power theories  Marxist  Reflection of production  Controlled by top capitalists  Power Elite  Served by government  Includes institutions outside of government  Bureaucratic  Appointed officials  Exercise of how laws play out  Pluralist  No single power group  Bargain and compromise lead to outcomes

Self interest  Cynical view that each is out for political gain  Outcomes do not always follow authors’ motives  Inequalities within the system  Common good  Public spirit

Political change  Who gets what?  Hard to quantify Shared understanding Common friendships Communal organizations  Process of legislation  Administration of law  Avoid sweeping claims  Delay judgment until after observing wide range of behaviors

Who Governs?  How is political power actually distributed in America?  What explains major political change?

To What Ends?  What values matter most in American Democracy?  Are trade-offs among political purposes inevitable?

Supplemental Readings  Woll page 10  The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action  Woll page 31  Framing the Constitution  Woll page 41  Federalist 47, 48, 51  FT5 page 3  Taking the AP Exam