Introducing Government in America

1. Introducing Government in America Chapter 1

2. Introduction • Politics and government matter. • Americans are apathetic about politics and government. • American youth are less likely to be informed about government and politics and participate less in politics.

3. Introduction • The Political Disengagement of College Students Today (Figure 1.1)

4. Introduction

5. Introduction • Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age (Figure 1.3)

6. Government • Definition: • The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. • This definition leads to two basic questions: • How should we govern? • What should government do?

7. Politics • Definition: • The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. • Also consider Lasswell’s definition: • Who gets what, when and how.

8. The Policymaking System • The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. Figure 1.4 Figure 1.3

9. People • Interests • Problems • Concerns

10. Linkage Institutions • Political Parties • Elections • News & Entertainment Media • Interest Groups

11. Policy Agenda • Political Issues • These arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it. • Some issues will be considered, and others will not. • A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.

12. Policymaking Institutions • Legislature (Congress) • Executive (President) • Courts (Federal and State) • Bureaucracies (Federal and State)

13. Policy Impacts People

14. Policy Impacts People • Impacts of Policies: • Does it solve the problem? • Does it create more problems?

15. Democracy • Definition: • A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. • Equality in voting • Effective participation • Enlightened understanding • Citizen control of the agenda • Inclusion

16. Theories of U.S. Democracy • Pluralist Theory • A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. • Groups will work together • Public interest will prevail

17. Theories of U.S. Democracy • Elite and Class Theory • A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. • Not all groups are equal • Policies benefit those with money / power

18. Theories of U.S. Democracy • Hyperpluralism • A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. • There are too many ways for groups to control policy. • Confusing / contradictory policies

19. Challenges to Democracy • Limited Participation in Government • Escalating Campaign Costs • Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)

20. Questions About Democracy • Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know? • Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way? • Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters? • Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of ALL the people?

21. American Individualism • Individualism is the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government. • Individualism is highly valued in the United States with a strong preference for free markets and limited government.

22. Questions about the Scope of Government • How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government? • Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms? • Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?

23. Questions about the Scope of Government, continued • Do competing political parties make for better policies? • Do more interest groups create a bigger government? • Does the media help control the size and policies government?

24. Questions about the Scope of Government, continued • Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big? • Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups? • Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?

25. Questions about the Scope of Government, continued • Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government? • Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?