1. 1 American Government: Roots, Context, and Culture
Conditions in the Jamestown, Virginia, settlement of 1607 were harsh. While eventually life in the settlement improved, it is important to remember the sacrifices of early colonists and the trials other waves of immigrants have faced to be part of the American dream.
Much has changed since the days of the Jamestown Colony, and the people who live in America today differ greatly from those early settlers. The experiences and values of those settlers, however, continue to influence politics. This chapter explores the political process, placing people at its center.

2. 1
Learning Objectives
We’ll learn in this chapter about the beginnings of our government and how our government compares to other types of government.
Keep these learning objectives in mind as we begin our exploration of American government.
Evaluate the different types of government countries may employ
1.2

3. 1 Learning Objectives Explain the functions of American government 1.3
As you can see, we’ll learn about the meaning of democracy.
Explain the functions of American government
1.3
Describe American political culture, and identify the basic tenets of American democracy
1.4

4. 1
Learning Objectives
We continue to explore the political process.
Analyze the changing characteristics of the American public
1.5
Assess the role of political ideology in shaping American politics
1.6

5. 1
Learning Objectives
Americans expect a lot from the government. We’ll learn how attitudes about the function of government have changed.
Characterize changes in Americans’ attitudes toward and expectations of government
1.7

6. 1
Video: The Basics
Before we begin, let’s learn what function government serves. In this video, you will analyze this question and explore the core values that shape our political system and how the growing diversity of our population is changing—and reaffirming—the definition of what it means to be American.

7. 1
Can you Pass the Test?
Before we begin, let’s learn what function government serves. In this video, you will analyze this question and explore the core values that shape our political system and how the growing diversity of our population is changing—and reaffirming—the definition of what it means to be American.

8. 1.2
Types of Government
Aristotle classifies types of governments according to who rules, and in whose interest. Types of governments include monarchy, totalitarianism, aristocracy, oligarchy, polity, and democracy.
Fears about mob rule and the vast size of the United States led the Framers to create a republican democracy that relies on the role of representatives to filter citizens’ viewpoints.
Power – ability of one person to cause another person to act in accordance
Authority – right to use power
Legitimacy – what makes the law or leader a source of “right”
Turn to a partner and decide where in the United States Government, we can find examples of each.

9. Types of Government 1.2 Definitions
Aristotle classifies types of governments according to who rules, and in whose interest. Types of governments include monarchy, totalitarianism, aristocracy, oligarchy, polity, and democracy.
Fears about mob rule and the vast size of the United States led the Framers to create a republican democracy that relies on the role of representatives to filter citizens’ viewpoints.
Definitions
Devising a National Government in the American Colonies

10. Definitions 1.2 Classification of governments Types of governments:
We classify governments according to who participates, who governs, and how much authority those who govern enjoy.
Monarchy is defined by the rule of one hereditary king or queen in the interest of all of his or her subjects. An aristocracy is government by the few in the service of the many.
In totalitarian systems, the leader exercises unlimited power, and individuals have no personal rights or liberties. An oligarchy occurs when a few people rule in their own interest. In an oligarchy, wealth, social status, military position, or achievement dictates participation in government.
The term democracy applies to a system of government that gives power to the people, either directly, or indirectly through elected representatives.
Classification of governments
Types of governments:
Monarchy
Aristocracy
Totalitarianism
Oligarchy
Democracy
Direct democracy
Representative democracy

11. How did Aristotle classify the types of governments?
1.2
How did Aristotle classify the types of governments?
Aristotle classified types of governments by who ruled, in whose interest they ruled, and how much power they enjoyed.

12. Devising a National Government in the American Colonies
1.2
Devising a National Government in the American Colonies
American colonists rejected a system with a strong ruler, such as the British monarchy, when they declared their independence. The colonists also feared replicating the landed and titled system of the British aristocracy. Due to the vast size of the new nation, direct democracy was unworkable. They viewed a republican form of government as most in keeping with their values and situation, with an indirect democracy in which people vote for representatives who work on their behalf.
Activity: The idea of direct democracy has gained increasing traction as the Internet expands the possibility of expanding the role of citizens in the development of public policy. But the framers explicitly rejected the idea of direct democracy, even when the United States was a much smaller country.
Ask students if recent technological innovations make the idea of direct democracy more attractive and feasible. Assume, for example, that millions of American televisions could be hooked up to a centralized computer system that in turn could instantly register the public’s view on issues (yes or no responses). Would this be an improvement to the American political system? Why or why not?
Rejected monarchy/aristocracy
Rejected direct democracy as unworkable
Chose republic
Indirect democracy

13. What does a modern monarchy look like?
1.2
What does a modern monarchy look like?
Here we see the British royal family as they celebrate the queen’s 60 years on the throne. Today the duties of the monarchy are largely ceremonial, unlike the power the monarchy wielded during colonial times.

14. 1.2
1.2 Which form of government did the colonists choose for their new nation?
Can you answer this brief question about what we’ve covered?
Direct democracy
Aristocracy
Oligarchy
Republic

15. Functions of American Government
1.3
Functions of American Government
One of the first tasks expected of any government is the creation of a system of laws. Societies must abide by the rule of law so that justice can be dispensed fairly to the citizens. The Constitution authorized Congress to create a federal judicial system to dispense justice.
The role of governments in ensuring domestic tranquility is a subject of much debate. In crises, such as the terrorist attacks of 9/11, government can take extraordinary measures to contain the threat. In normal times, local governments have police forces, states have national guards, and the federal government can always call up troops to quell any threats to order.
The Framers recognized that a major purpose of government is to provide defense for its citizens against threats of foreign aggression. Thus, the Constitution calls for the president to be commander in chief of the armed forces, and Congress has the authority to raise an army.
Promoting the general welfare was more of an ideal than a mandate for the new national government. Over time, though, our notions of what governments should do have expanded along with governmental size.
Americans enjoy a wide range of liberties and opportunities to prosper. These freedoms to criticize the government and to petition it are perhaps the best way to “secure the Blessings of Liberty.”
Establishing Justice
Ensuring Domestic Tranquility
Providing for the Common Defense
Promoting the General Welfare
Securing the Blessings of Liberty

16. 1.3
1.3 Freedom to protest and criticize the government is considered the best way to
Let’s see how well you understand the Preamble to the Constitution. Can you determine what protest represents?
establish justice
insure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defense
secure the blessings of liberty

17. American Political Cultures and the Basic Tenets of American Democracy
1.4
American Political Cultures and the Basic Tenets of American Democracy
Political culture is a group’s commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate. Key tenets of Americans’ shared political culture are:
• liberty and equality;
• popular consent, majority rule and popular sovereignty;
• individualism;
• and religious freedom.
Liberty and Equality
Popular Consent, Majority Rule, and Popular Sovereignty
Individualism
Religious Faith and Religious Freedom

18. Liberty and Equality 1.4 Which is most important?
Liberty and equality are the most important characteristics of the American republican form of government, with liberty being valued over equality. The Framers wrote the Constitution itself to ensure liberty.
Over the years, however, our concepts of personal liberty have changed and evolved from freedom from to freedom to. The Framers intended Americans to be free from governmental infringements on freedom of religion and speech, from unreasonable searches and seizures, and so on. But subsequent laws have expanded Americans’ concept of liberty to include freedom to work or go to school free from discrimination.
Another key feature of our democracy is political equality, the principle that all citizens are the same in the eyes of the law. Notions of political equality have changed dramatically from the founding time.
Activity: Although there is widespread support for the basic concepts of freedom and liberty in the United States, there have been many intrusions on basic rights in American history. From the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to proposals to establish a constitutional amendment prohibiting flag burning, to the indefinite detention of enemy combatants without trial, Americans sometimes seem to turn a blind eye to encroachments on freedom and liberty in the country. Ask students why we find such discrepancies in an area where we also find complete public support for the basic principles. How might we reconcile such competing perspectives?
Which is most important?
Freedom from versus freedom to
Political equality

19. Popular Consent, Majority Rule, and Popular Sovereignty
1.4
Popular Consent, Majority Rule, and Popular Sovereignty
Popular consent is the principle that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed. Derived from political philosopher John Locke’s social contract theory, the notion of popular consent was central to the Declaration of Independence.
Majority rule means that election of officials and transformation of policies into law will take place only if the majority of citizens support such changes. The American system also stresses preservation of minority rights, as evidenced by protections of individual liberties found in the Bill of Rights.
Popular sovereignty is the notion that ultimate authority in society rests with the people. It has its basis in natural law, a doctrine that certain ethical principles are part of nature and can be understood by reason, so they should govern society.
Popular consent
Governments derive power by consent of the governed
Majority rule
Bill of Rights protects minority rights
Popular sovereignty
Natural law

20. Individualism 1.4 Unique to American democracy Traced to Puritans
American democracy places heavy importance on the individual, an idea that may be traced back to the Puritans.
This emphasis on individualism makes Americans quite different from citizens of other wealthy democracies. Community-focused societies reject the American emphasis on individuals and try to improve the lives of their citizens by making services and rights available on a universal basis.
In contrast, individuals in the U.S. are deemed endowed, as Thomas Jefferson proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, “with certain unalienable rights.”
Unique to American democracy
Traced to Puritans
Linked to unalienable rights

21. Religious Faith and Religious Freedom
1.4
Religious Faith and Religious Freedom
Religious conflicts in Europe brought many settlers to the New World. Seeking an opportunity to practice their religious faith, colonists initially settled large sections of the East Coast.
However, that faith did not always imply religious tolerance. The clashes that occurred within settlements led the Framers to agree that notions of religious freedom must form the foundation of the new nation. Religious tolerance, however, has often proved to be more of an ideal than a reality.
Religious conflict motivation for immigration
Colonists sought freedom of religion
Did not want to grant it to others
Religious freedom enshrined in Constitution
Tolerance still more of an ideal

22. Why is religious freedom a tenet of American democracy?
1.4
Why is religious freedom a tenet of American democracy?
Let’s look at this caption. How would you answer this question?
Many of the first settlers came to the United States to escape religious persecution. While most of these people were Protestants, Catholicism has had a strong tradition in the United States.

23. 1.4
1.4 What is the idea that society should be governed by certain ethical principals that are part of nature and, as such, can be understood by reason?
Now I want to test your comprehension by asking you to answer this question.
Biblical law
Natural law
Majority rule
Oligarchy

24. The Changing American Public
1.5
The Changing American Public
Changing demographics has had a significant effect on American political culture. Diversity in race and ethnicity, generational differences, and regional differences impact the way Americans see themselves and how they view the role of the government.
Racial and Ethnic Composition
Aging
Religious Beliefs
Regional Growth and Expansion
Family and Family Size

25. Racial and Ethnic Composition
1.5
Racial and Ethnic Composition
The American population has changed constantly with the arrival of immigrants. Immigration to the United States peaked in the first decade of the 1900s, when nearly 9 million people, many from Eastern Europe, entered the country. Today, nearly 40 million people in the United States can be classified as immigrants, and most of them are Hispanic. Immigration has led to significant alterations in American racial and ethnic composition. The majority of babies born in the United States are now members of a minority group. By 2050, minorities will be the majority in America.
While many people still view the United States as a Christian nation, a great variety of religious groups have established roots in the country and with this growth have come different political and social demands.
Regional sectionalism emerged immediately in the colonies and sectional differences continued as the United States developed into a major industrial nation and waves of immigrants with various traditions arrived. All brought unique views about the role of government. Subsequent generations handed down these political views, and many regional differences continue to affect public opinion. One of the most long-standing and dramatic is between the South and the North. The South continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in supporting civil rights. The West was populated by those seeking free land and chasing dreams of gold. Some people have moved there to avoid city life and have an anti-government bias. Other Westerners are interested in water rights and seek governmental solutions to their problems. Significant differences in attitude also arise in rural versus urban areas. Those in rural areas are more conservative than those in cities.
The American family has also changed. Gender roles have become less defined, family size has shrunk, and marriage rates have declined. These changes affect the demands citizens place on government.
Immigration from Eastern Europe
Growth of Hispanic population
Minorities now the majority

26. Figure 1.2 How does population affect representation?
1.5
Figure 1.2 How does population affect representation?
As the population increases, the number of representatives in the House has not kept pace. The increase in Hispanic Americans and other immigrants may change the face of Congress.

27. Aging 1.5 Strain on Social Security Impact on working Americans
Just as the racial and ethnic composition of the American population is shifting, so, too, is the average age. An aging America imposes a great financial burden on working Americans, whose proportion in the population is rapidly declining.
Strain on Social Security
Impact on working Americans

28. Religious Beliefs 1.5 No longer mainly Christian
While many people still view the United States as a Christian nation, a great variety of religious groups have established roots in the country and with this growth have come different political and social demands.
For example, evangelical Christians have requested school textbooks with particular views on evolution. American Jews want policies that favor Israel, while Muslims want policies that support a Palestinian state.
No longer mainly Christian
Different political and social demands

29. Regional Growth and Expansion
1.5
Regional Growth and Expansion
Regional sectionalism emerged immediately in the colonies. Sectional differences continued as the United States developed into a major industrial nation and as waves of immigrants with various traditions arrived. All brought unique views about the role of government.
Subsequent generations handed down these political views, and many regional differences continue to affect public opinion. One of the most long-standing and dramatic is between the South and the North. The South continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in supporting civil rights.
The West was populated by those seeking free land and chasing dreams of gold. Some people have moved there to avoid city life and have an anti-government bias. Other Westerners are interested in water rights and seek governmental solutions to their problems. Significant differences in attitude also arise in rural versus urban areas. Those in rural areas are more conservative than those in cities.
North versus south
Anti-government bias of West

30. Family and Family Size 1.5 Gender roles Declining marriage rate
The American family has also changed. Gender roles have become less defined, family size has shrunk, and marriage rates have declined. These changes affect the demands citizens place on government.
Gender roles
Declining marriage rate
Same sex marriage

31. What does the typical American family look like?
1.5
What does the typical American family look like?
As the demographics of American society change, the composition of American families has become increasingly heterogeneous. Here, the characters in the sitcom Modern Family exemplify the age, ethnic, and sexual diversity in families today, making the “typical American family” difficult to describe.

32. 1.5 Regional differences in America include:
Now let’s test your understanding about regional differences in America. What is the answer to this question?
North versus South
East versus West
Urban versus rural
All of the above

33. Political Ideology 1.6 What Is a Political Ideology?
Ideologies, the belief systems that shape the thinking of individuals and how they view the world, affect people’s ideas about government. The major categories of political ideology in America are conservative, liberal, and moderate.
What Is a Political Ideology?
Finding Your Political Ideology
Problems with Ideological Labels

34. Finding Your Political Ideology
1.6
Finding Your Political Ideology
Conservatives tend to believe that a government is best when it governs least. They want less government, especially in terms of regulating the economy. Conservatives favor local and state action over federal intervention. Conservatives are also likely to believe that the private sector is better equipped than the government to address domestic problems such as homelessness, poverty, and discrimination.
A growing percentage of voters can be classified as social conservatives, who believe that moral decay must be stemmed and that government should support and further traditional moral teachings. These voters favor government intervention to regulate sexual and social behavior and have mounted effective efforts to restrict contraceptives, abortion, and same-sex marriage.
Liberals seek to change the political, economic, and social status quo to foster the development of equality and the well-being of individuals. Modern liberals generally value equality over other aspects of shared political culture. They support well-funded government social welfare programs that seek to protect individuals from economic disadvantages or to correct past injustices, and they generally oppose government efforts to regulate private behavior or infringe on civil rights and liberties.
Moderates take a relatively centrist view on most political issues. Aristotle actually favored moderate politics, believing that domination in the center was better than any extremes. Approximately 35 percent of the population today consider themselves political moderates.
Conservatives
Social conservatives
Liberals
Moderates

35. FIGURE 1.3: What are Americans’ political ideologies?
1.6
FIGURE 1.3: What are Americans’ political ideologies?
Americans’ political ideologies have shifted dramatically over time. What was once a largely moderate nation has today become much more closely divided between liberals, conservatives, and moderates. These divisions can make governing particularly challenging and lead to gridlock in our political institutions.

36. Problems with Ideological Labels
1.6
Problems with Ideological Labels
Some critics charge that a simple left-to-right continuum cannot capture the full complexity of most citizens’ political ideologies. People can be liberal on social issues and conservative on economic issues or vice versa. Statists tend to be in favor of government intervention but may not hold policy views that align with liberals or conservatives. Libertarians tend to oppose government intervention in all areas, regardless of how liberal or conservative their personal views are.
Is left-to-right the only direction?
Economic versus personal liberties
Statists
Libertarians

37. 1.6
1.6 Which ideology seeks to change the political, economic, and social status quo to foster the development of equality and the well-being of individuals?
Conservative
Liberal
Libertarian
Social conservative

38. Toward Reform: People and Politics
1.7
Toward Reform: People and Politics
Politics is the study of who gets what, when, and how; in other words, the process by which policy decisions are made. Diversity and political ideology have a great impact on politics. In politics, there are always winners and losers.
The American Dream is an ideal of a happy and successful life, predicated on economic freedom, political equality, and civil liberties. The myth of the achievability of the American Dream defines American political culture.
As the nation and its economy grew in size and complexity, the federal government took on more responsibilities. Americans’ demands upon government increased, as did their dissatisfaction. Today, many Americans lack faith in the country’s institutions. We want government to do both more and less, and do it with fewer resources. For example, many Americans say they want less government, but as they get older, they don’t want less Social Security and Medicare. They want lower taxes and better roads, but they don’t want to pay road tolls. They want better education for their children, but lower expenditures on schools. They want greater security at airports, but low fares and quick boarding.
What Is Politics
American Dream
Redefining Our Expectations
Loss of faith in American institutions

39. FIGURE 1.4: Do Americans have confidence in political institutions?
1.7
FIGURE 1.4: Do Americans have confidence in political institutions?
This graph shows the percentages of Americans declaring they had a “great deal” of confidence in American institutions. Note the declining trend of trust in all political institutions, as well as Americans’ record low levels of trust in institutions such as Congress and the presidency.
Activity: Ask students to find a political cartoon relating to a recent event or issue. Daryl Cagle’s PoliticalCartoons.com website ( may provide a useful starting point. Then ask students to bring their cartoon to class and discuss how the cartoon illustrates a central theme in American politics.

40. What is the role of American government?
1.7
What is the role of American government?
No matter how disillusioned we are with government, we look to our political leaders for support in times of crisis. Here, president Obama comforts victims of Hurricane Sandy, just days before the 2012 election.

41. 1.7
1.7 What has happened to faith in public institutions over the last half century?
Can you answer this brief question about content we have just covered?
It has stayed the same.
It has risen.
It has declined.
It has ceased to exist.

42. 1
Discussion Question
In what ways has America changed since the first permanent settlement of European immigrants at Jamestown? Consider ethnic, racial, religious, geographic, economic, political, and other changes.