1. American Government and Organization
PS1301
Friday, 5 September

2. Outline for Course A Case for Reform? Causes and Consequences
Concepts: Collective action, Collective goods, Prisoner’s dilemma, Free-rider
Principles of the Structure of U.S. Government: Constitution, Federalism
Institutions: congress, presidency, bureaucracy, the courts
Linkage Mechanisms: public opinion, elections, parties, interest groups, the media
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

3. Indicators for Reform Does the republic need reforming?
Dissatisfaction
Low Turnout
Failure to achieve electoral majorities - Loss of mandate
Lack of competitive elections – mostly congressional level
Crisis events – 2000 election and 1998 Clinton impeachment

4. Satisfaction with Democracy

5. Trust in Government Distrust Trust Don’t Know France 59 33 8
United States 56 40 4
Italy 51 35 14
Spain 42 38 20
Germany 41 18
United Kingdom 32 57 11
Source: Table 2.1, p.19 Donovan and Bowler

6. Turnout – Plurality Systems

7. Turnout – PR Systems

8. Loss of Electoral Majorities – U.S. Presidential Elections
Popular Vote
Electoral Votes (%)
Electoral Votes
Year
Dem
Rep
Total
1984
40.6
58.8
99.4
2.4
97.6 13
525
1988
45.6
53.4
99.0
20.7
79.3
111
426
1992
43.2
37.7
80.9
68.8
31.2
370
168
1996
49.2
40.7
89.9
70.4
29.6
379
159
2000
48.4
47.9
96.3
49.5
50.5
266
271

9. Lack of Competition Nearly all U.S. Representatives win reelection
When incumbents retire the result is largely predetermined.