1. 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.
Volunteerism among young Americans in civil society has increased.

2. Introduction

3. Types of Political Knowledge and the Analytical Process
Political analysis attempts to answer the what, why and how questions about politics.
Description
-The “what” questions based on facts
Explanation
-The “why” and “how” something happens
Prediction
--the effects of decisions and non-decisions
Prescription
-Value statement of what “should be done”

4. Scientific Knowledge Search for regularities Empirical Cumulative
Science - uses methods that allow people to agree on results
Search for regularities
Patterns or correlations
Empirical
Observable or measurable
Cumulative
Builds on previous foundation
Testable
Others can evaluate and repeat analysis

5. Weber’s classification of types of authority:
Type Basis Example
Traditional Custom and Monarchy
established way of
doing things
Charismatic intense commitment Many revolutionary
to the leader and his leaders
message
Legal-Rational rules and procedures bureaucracy; merit not connections Representative the office, not the person democracy
Legitimacy: rightful authority to rule—individuals within a state recognize the
government’s right to make collective decisions;
Today: legal and psychological right to govern

6. 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.
The process of deciding who benefits and who is excluded from benefiting in society.
Also consider Lasswell’s definition:
Who gets what, when and how.

7. The Policymaking System
The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time
Figure 1.4
The six items are hyperlinked to their own slide. A return button is also on the slide.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Policymaking Institutions
Definition: Policymaking institutions are the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues.
Legislature (Congress)
Executive (Presidency)
Bureaucracies (Federal and State)
Courts (Federal and State)

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

12. A king or queen has absolute authority The supreme power of governance
Types of
Governments:
Who Governs?
Monarchy:
A king or queen has absolute authority
over a territory and its government.
Oligarchy:
Only an elite few hold power.
Democracy:
The supreme power of governance
lies in the hands of citizens.

13. Types of Governments: Function and Structure?
Totalitarianism:
A tyrannical government structure which
controls every aspect of their citizens’ lives.
Authoritarianism:
A government which holds strong powers,
but which is checked by other forces in society.
Constitutionalism:
A form of government structured by law
which provides for limited government.

14. Functions of Government
Security
Mediation
Provision of public goods
Allocation of resources
To raise and spend money; control of money supply
Political socialization

15. U.S. and Capitalism
Economic system characteristic of a. private property
b. free market with limited gov’t intervention c. economic output determined by supply and demand

16. General Philosophy of Liberals and Conservatives
More governmental regulation of economy
More policies to help disadvantaged groups
More policies to redistribute income
Conservatives:
Fewer governmental regulations, more reliance on market
Fewer policies in the name of disadvantaged groups
Fewer tax laws that discourage business growth