1. Political Science & Government
Definitions:
study of politics and government
The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society.
Post Revolution--?’s
--How should we govern?
--How should government operate?
--What functions must US Government meet?

2. Political Culture in the United States
-Widely shared ideas of who should govern, for what ends and by what means...
ex. US is a republican democracy, based on a 2 party system, Federal system

3. U.S. Democracy
A system of the majority of citizens selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. It should have:
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Citizen control of the agenda
Inclusion of minority groups

4. Politics
Definition:
The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.
Ex: Majoritarianism vs. Pluralism and impacts on government authority

5. Policy Agenda Political Issues
These arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.
Some issues will be considered, and others will not (gay marriage v. polygamy)
A government’s policy agenda changes regularly with changing times.

6. ASSIGNMENT-Politics & Power
Watch the Town Hall on MSNBC Sept 7th and type a full page analytical response to the following:
Choose three political issues discussed and explain the candidates’ views on each.
Take one of the above issues and discuss one solid and specific policy action each candidate hopes to take with regard to that.
Explain how one or more specific groups is responding to each candidate’s ideas.
Which candidate’s policy will be more successful and why? (Your opinion)