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Political Science 201-003: American Government

Political Science 201-003: American Government. Prof. John Holder Office: Bancroft 340 Phone: (803) 323-4665 E-mail: holderj@winthrop.edu Office hours: WF 9:30-10:45 or by appt. Class Webpage: http :// faculty.winthrop.edu/holderj/plsc201003. So…who are you?. Name

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Political Science 201-003: American Government

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  1. Political Science 201-003: American Government • Prof. John Holder • Office: Bancroft 340 • Phone: (803) 323-4665 • E-mail: holderj@winthrop.edu • Office hours: WF 9:30-10:45 or by appt. • Class Webpage: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/holderj/plsc201003.

  2. 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.)

  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/political–quiz • Did your results surprise you? • Theories of Power

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