Weeks 1-2 Chps 1,2 & 3

1. Weeks 1-2Chps 1,2 & 3 Unit 1: Constitutional Underpinnings of the U.S. Government (CR 1: 5-15% of course/exam)

2. Unit #1 comprises the following: origin of democracy, natural rights of American colonists, origins of the American Republic, Principles of the US Constitution, Separation of Powers, Limited Government, the Principle of Judicial Review, origin and structure of Federalism. In this unit, students will address the underpinnings of the Constitution. The six principles of government will direct the discussions on both historic and current events. The ideas of the Framers will be analyzed and ideas found within will be applied to current issues.

3. Textbook Readings: • Wilson Chapter 1 – The Study of American Government Chapter 2 – The Constitution & Chapter 3 – Federalism • Supplemental Readings (CR 8): • Excerpts from: Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Machiavelli (Summer reading assignment). • Woll Reader: Federalist No. 10 and 51, Roche, Beard, Grodzins, US v Morrison • Handout Excerpts from Magleby & Janda

4. Primary Documents: (CR 8): • The Articles of Confederation, the Magna Carta, Declaration of Independence, The US Constitution (examining questions from Summer reading assignment) • Interpretation of Data (CR 7): • A variety of charts, political maps, graphs, political cartoons, video clips, internet sites (such as PEW Research Site), newspapers, pollster data and other media for analysis and interpretation

5. Chp 1: The Study of American Government

6. Constitutional Underpinnings What is politics?

7. Word Association • What words come to mind when you hear the word “politics”? • Does the word have a more positive or negative connotation?

8. Machiavelli • Machiavelli’s name is synonymous with tough and dirty politics • Author of The Prince. One of history’s first political scientists.

9. Machiavelli Quotes • “The ends justify the means.” • “It is better to be feared than loved.” • “By no means can a prudent ruler keep his word. Because all men are bad and do not keep promises to you, you likewise do not have to keep your promises to them.”

10. Can we be hopeful about politics? Yes We Can “straight talk” campaign

11. A neutral view of politics Harold D. Lasswell • Who gets what, when, and how. (and where)? • All of us are political, we’re just not used to calling it that. You don’t have to take a class to get politics. Aristotle was correct when he wrote, “Man is by nature a political animal.”

12. Thomas Hobbes “…during the time men live without a common power to keep them all in awe, they are in that condition which is called war; and such a war as is of every man against every man" (Leviathan, ch. XIII). Essentially…without government chaos ensues

13. Bill the Bulwark From your summer reading assignment, what was Hobbes plan to remedy the “state of nature”?

14. Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan

15. The State of Nature Game Goal: To get as much money possible Rules: (1) No leaving the room (2) No physical contact or threats (3) Everyone must maintain the assigned role

16. State of Nature game • Why were teams successful? Was it strategy or an unfair advantage? • How would the outcome be different if teams were not allowed to attack, only invest?

17. Roles in the Game • Educated—develop ways to acquire as much $$$ as you can from the other players—can use the strong or uneducated as your enforcers • Educated/strong—develop ways to acquire as much $$$ as you can from the other players—can use the strong or uneducated as your enforcers or you can do it yourself • Strong—earn money by executing the plans of others—maybe a percentage of the $$ collected? • Uneducated—you can only do the bidding of others and must accept whatever payment is offered—or band together and take over by force

18. Was Hobbes right???????

19. Social Contract Theory • “The only valid government is one based on the consent of the governed.” - Locke • Rulers and citizens enter into an agreement, or a social contract • Government by the people, masses

20. Locke’s influence on the US • “A state also of equality, wherein all the power and jurisdiction is reciprocal, no one having more than another… - John Locke, of Civil Government • “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal.” - Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence

21. What is the purpose of government? Get together in groups 4 and discuss the purpose of government. You have 5 minutes to create a list of the things that government should provide for the people.

22. The Purpose of Government • Maintaining Order • Providing Services • Promoting Equality

23. What is Democracy? • Origins of Democracy • Greek word • Demos = people • Kratos = authority • So…authority or government of the people • But…the Greeks and the Romans failed and democracy became synomous with mob rule…then dictators took over

24. Political Power • 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”

25. Bill the Bulwark • What is significant about the following in U.S. History? The Revolution of 1800 The corrupt bargain of 1824 The election of 1876 The pardon of 1975 The election of 2000

26. What makes a Democracy? Principles necessary for a democracy to exist. • Universal suffrage (everyone vote) • Political Equality (all votes counted equally) • Majority Rule • Government responds to public opinion

27. What patterns are necessary for a democratic system to thrive? • Educational Conditions • Economic Conditions • Social Conditions • Ideological Conditions

28. Different types of Democracy • Direct Democracy • Representative Democracy • Republic • Constitutional Democracy • Constitutionalism

29. Bill the Bulwark • Why is direct democracy not a feasible option for the U.S.?

30. Can uneducated/poor people be trusted? • Direct Democracy – citizens create/vote on laws • Problems 1. Impractical for reasons of time, expertise • How do you get 300 million people to vote multiple times per day on issues they no nothing about? 2. Masses of people make unwise decisions based on emotions (Hitler was elected) • “The masses are turbulent and changing and seldom judge or determine right.” -Alexander Hamilton

31. Representative Democracy (Republic) • Citizens elect representatives • Gov’t MEDIATES popular views • “Will of the people” ≠ “Common interest” • EX. Lower gas prices, minority rights • Reps are educated on issues at hand • Prevents fast, sweeping change • Minority rights more likely to be protected

32. Theories explaining how democracies ACTUALLY function • Majoritarian Theory • = leaders are forced to follow the wishes of the people because majority rules 2. Pluralist Theory = groups compete and compromise with each other to get the gov’t to do what they want 3. Elite Theory = groups or people who possess the most more power (money or influence) dominate gov’t 4. Bureaucratic Theory = appointed officials dominate the gov’t through unelected jobs

33. Democracy Theory Test What theory is supported by the fact that… • The US holds mainly elections where the person who receives the most votes wins. • Most US representatives are upper class people. • The President appoints hundreds of people for gov’t jobs or judgeships, all have special powers. • Interest groups spend millions of dollars toward campaigns of favored candidates. • Gov’t can call for referendums, or votes by the people to pass or strike down potential laws. • The candidate who raises the most money for an election almost always wins.

34. Pluralism • Modern society consists of many groups (ex. Economic, religious, cultural, ethnic.) that compete with each other to achieve goals • Groups that influence gov’t, work hard, and have largest membership get what they want • Even if the average citizen does not keep up with politics, their interests will be protected by their group. • Groups must COMPROMISE to achieve goals

35. Arguments for and against the Pluralist view • Relatively low numbers of people join interest groups. • Poor citizens have less opportunity to join interest groups or contribute to them. • One can’t assume that group decisions are always in the best interest of the nation. FOR AGAINST • There is no unified majority in the US that always acts together. • Gov’t leaders must please groups to gain votes and money to be reelected. • Groups must compete for gov’t services and favorable laws.

36. Marxist Theory (Elite) • Control the economic system = control the political system. • Politicians require massive funding to win elections, and rely on corporations to supply them.

37. A Reminder… • These are only theories. They are people’s perception of our democracy and the way it functions. • Which theory is correct??? • Pluralist – most popular today • Majoritarian – popular pre-1950’s • Elite – rising since the 80’s (Michael Moore) • Bureaucratic – gov’t spending more than ever before just to run itself

38. In Class Assignment • Break up into groups of 4 and analyze the following chart, critical thinking and graph handouts • Write a few sentences (per group) about each • Wilson p. 7 • Magleby p. 9 • Janda p.