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So…who are you?

So…who are you?. Name What do you like to be called? Where are you from? Do you have any experience in politics or government? Why are you taking this class? (Constitution requirement, prospective political science major, general interest, etc.). Anonymous survey.

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So…who are you?

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  1. So…who are you? • Name • What do you like to be called? • Where are you from? • Do you have any experience in politics or government? • Why are you taking this class? (Constitution requirement, prospective political science major, general interest, etc.)

  2. Anonymous survey • If the Presidential election were held today, for whom would you vote? • Obama/Biden • Romney/Ryan • Someone else • Undecided • Not voting • NOYDB • Regardless of who you’re voting for, who do you think is going to win?

  3. Social Science • The use of scientific methods to study some aspect of society (human beings and their interactions). • Anthropology • Economics • History • Political Science • Psychology • Sociology • Etc.

  4. Political Science • Study of power and the organization of power • Harold Lasswell: “Who gets what, when and how.” • Power: Creation and enforcement of laws and rules deciding • What you have the right to do (MAY) • What you have the obligation to do (MUST) • What you’re prohibited from doing (MAY NOT)

  5. Political Science • Use of the scientific method to: • Observe: “What’s happening?” • Explain: “Why is it happening? Why is it happening that way?” • Predict: “What’s going to happen?”

  6. Complete Freedom • Do whatever you want • No rules, no laws, no restrictions • Unlimited right to acquire property • What’s the problem?

  7. Complete Freedom • No way to protect your own property or otherwise prevent your rights from being violated • What’s the answer?

  8. Rules and Laws • Give up some of your complete freedom in exchange for the protection of your remaining freedom • You agree not to steal, and others agree not to steal from you • Are you better off? • Who makes the rules and laws?

  9. Basis of Government • Government in a free society exists to make and enforce laws in a way that protects the rights of the people • Power to make rules and laws gives you a great deal of power over others’ lives • Imprisonment • Taxation • Etc.

  10. Who Gets to Govern? • Divine Right • Monarch endowed by God with power • Democracy • People govern directly • Republic/Indirect Democracy • People choose leaders who make decisions • Dictatorship • I make the rules because I have the biggest gun.

  11. Next Class: • isidewith.com – not an assignment, just for fun • Theories of Power

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