1. Introduction to American Government Susan B. Hansen Korea University Summer, 2006

2. Why do we need government? Resolve conflicts –values –possessions Provide public goods –stable markets and currency –public services –defense –environmental protection Guarantee “natural rights” –life –liberty –property

3. Alternatives for Managing Conflict Force – warlords, anarchy, gangs Small societies – family ties, mutual benefit Hereditary rule – clans, monarchs Market – wealthy plutocracy rules Meritocracy, wise men Confucian mandarins, Plato’s philosopher-kings Religion, magic – shamans, Ayatollah in Iran

4. Definitions of politics Harold Lasswell who gets what, when, and how Max Weber authoritative allocation of values Institutionalism rules for making binding decisions reduce transaction costs, uncertainty

5. Political Science Behavioralist: How do laws and institutions affect human behavior? Empirical: Demand verifiable observation Inductive: Emphasize general trends, not unique events Comparative: Analysis across countries, states, laws, electoral behavior, public opinion Normative: Which structures/institutions work best?