1. APS Day 31 Agenda

2.  What is politics? 1) the art or science of obtaining and maintaining power, and 2) the art or science of governing – ruling and controlling people or society ----- to get to the governing, one needs to master getting elected. Therefore we need to study elections so that we can understand the pressures put on those who govern and to help us learn how to exert pressure - Politics in the United States has primarily been a contest, a fight, over controlling and influencing government policies and actions. This is why the first political parties were created, and why political parties have remained the major actors in politics in the US – to Win elections to influence policy

3. How Political views are developed and affect the political system History and Political culture US Constitution Religion, experience, family, education Beliefs about Government/ Political Philosophy “Political Spectrum” Beliefs Are Held by: Constituents Party Politicians/ public officials Definition 1 Definition 1 – Art or science of obtaining and maintaining power Definition 2 Definition 2 – Art or science of governing Who should govern? Elections campaigns and elections What should gov’t do and how should gov’t do it? Making and enforcing and interpreting laws

4. ¨ What is politics? - Obtaining and maintaining power begins with election to office, and then running for reelection once in office. - Once in office, personal beliefs, position of party and needs, wants and beliefs of constituents play roles in determining the second part of the definition of politics, the ruling and controlling of society. Which laws are made or not, voted on or opposed by representatives are determined by the above – personal beliefs, position of party and needs, wants and beliefs of constituents

5. Personal beliefs – this is where positions from the political spectrum come into play in the political process. Each representative has views on the different issues developed over time as a result of education, family, religion, experiences. They will often vote on or oppose or propose laws based on these personal views. They will also often run for election or reelection based on what their vision for the government is. Often, their personal views lead them to belong to a particular political party. Party Positions – politicians will join political parties because the party will have generally the same views on a majority of big issues as they hold personally. Or the politicians will join a party because it is the one in power in that area, and he will have a better chance of being elected if he is a member of that party. - The party’s positions will help play a role in how the candidate votes on legislation, because if the politician wants the party’s support in the next election, he will often follow the party line and will also get party support for legislation that he/she proposes.

6. Party Positions – politicians will join political parties because the party will have generally the same views on a majority of big issues as they hold personally. Or the politicians will join a party because it is the one in power in that area, and he will have a better chance of being elected if he is a member of that party. - The party’s positions will help play a role in how the candidate votes on legislation, because if the politician wants the party’s support in the next election, he will often follow the party line and will also get party support for legislation that he/she proposes. Constituents’ views - in the end, the politicians represent a group of constituents who live in their legislative district. The constituents – the citizens who live in a district, often specifically the people who vote for a politician – have elected a politician to be their voice in the government. Therefore, when a large group of constituents make clear to the politician which way they want him to vote, the politician will often vote that way. If he truly is a “representative” - a Delegate - he will speak with the voice of a majority of his constituents. Most of the time however, the representative acts as a Trustee and votes they way he thinks is best for his constituents.

7. The first step in politics is to get into office – to get elected. The best chance of getting elected is to belong to one of the two major parties. The history of the United States has primarily been a two party system in which for each congressional, senate and presidential race, there are usually two main choices, a Republican or a Democrat. Therefore, the parties effectively control who our choices are for national office. This is especially true for the presidency. There are a few notable exceptions, like the independent Senators from Connecticut and Vermont. - 1) Thus, to win a national election, a candidate needs first to win the nomination of the party for that office. 2) Then the party will pit its nominee against the nominee from the other party in the general election to determine who will take office. In the end – because politicians need public support, WE, the constituents, can direct government through participation.

8. Political spectrum – fill-in the blank with the political label that believes the statement that follows. 1.___________ - all of the people should work to benefit the state 2.___________ - government should play only a small role in the economy 3.___________ - the state should work to achieve a greater equality of wealth 4.___________ - government should create morality laws 5.___________ - un-patriotic people or those who are different should be beaten or killed. 6.___________ - the central government should run the economy 7.___________ - government should be used to help the less fortunate of society. 8.___________ - government policies should focus on achieving the country’s former glory. 9.___________ - Government should promote some level of social equality 10.___________ - Regulation of the private economy helps protect workers, consumers and the environment. 1.Fascism __ - all of the people should work to benefit the state 2.conservativegovernment should play only a small role in the economy 3.Socialism - the state should work to achieve a greater equality of wealth 4.New Right - government should create morality laws 5.Reactionary n-patriotic people or those who are different should be beaten or killed. 6.Communism the central government should run the economy 7.Liberal __ - government should be used to help the less fortunate of society. 8.Far-Right - government policies should focus on achieving the country’s former glory. 9.Left -center- Government should promote some level of social equality 10.Liberal - Regulation of the private economy helps protect workers, consumers and the environment.