Ch. 16: Political Processes & Citizenship

1. Ch. 16: Political Processes & Citizenship Essential Question: How are government decisions and international issues shaped by different viewpoints?

2. Decision-making process and Government Policies • Governments frequently have to make important decisions affecting thousands or even millions of people. • In order to make decisions, government officials usually follow a decision-making process (similar to the one you learned at the beginning of the year.)

3. Identify The Problem • First, government officials identify a need or a problem. • Example: • the government may need to protect citizens against acts of terrorism. Gather Information • Next, government officials must gather and analyze information. • Example: • They could look at terrorist acts committed. • They could make a list of known terrorists. • A government might use satellite surveillanceorundercover agents, to obtain information about these terrorist groups – • including their leaders, their goals and activities, and theirstrengths and weaknesses.

4. CONSIDER OPTIONS • Next, government officials will consider different ways of meeting the need or solving the problem. • They will think of all their options for dealing with terrorists.

5. Select, Implement, and Evaluate The Best Option • Finally, officials select one policy option or combination of options. Then they apply this approach to the problem and evaluate its effectiveness. They assess whether this proposed solution works and whether it creates new problems of its own. Consider Advantages & Disadvantages • Government officials, now consider the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Every option usually has both benefits and costs. • Example • eavesdropping on suspected terrorists may yield valuable informationpotentially saving lives. • On the other hand, this practice may infringe on liberties of American citizens, specifically protected in the U.S. Constitution.

6. The Importance of Different Points of View • When government leaders make decisions affecting millions of people, it is important for them to consider different points of view. • Government officials will usually consult with different advisors and experts on the subject. For example U.S. leaders might ask the for the views of • Specialists who have studied terrorism. • Generals and other officers who have been active in military operations against terrorists. • Undercover agents who secretly penetrated terrorist organizations • U.S. leaders might further ask for the advice and suggestions of close allies and other countries. • Officials might even decide to approach some international organizations, such as the United Nations.

7. THE INFLUENCE OF A VARIETY OF VIEWPOINTS • Democratic governments like the United States are generally very open to different points of view. Because democratic government leaders are elected, they need to be able to explain their policy choices to the public. There is usually a lively public discussionon key issues. • Leaders also come to office with special viewpoints based on their own backgrounds and interests. If a lawyer who has defended clients against evidence from wiretapping is elected to public office, they may view the problem of wiretapping differently from someone who was a former prosecutor. • These leaders are often subject to a range of influences. Such influences include direct lobbyingefforts, corporatepolitical action groups, issueadvertising, and pressure from constituentsin their home district. • Other Congressional Members may have been supported by oilcompanies, laborunions, or other groups. This variety of viewpoints occurs not just at the federallevel, but at the stateand locallevel as well.

8. Citizenship Practices • Citizenship practices also differ between governments. In a republic or democracy, citizens play an activerole in government. They hold their leaders accountablefor their actions, and expect that government will be sensitiveto the will of the majority. They hold elected office, votefor officials, join politicalparties, and exchangeideas in free assemblies and through a free press. • In a totalitarian dictatorship, citizens can participate in government, but only by joiningthe ruling party, They cannot lawfully speakoutagainst the dictator. • Dictatorial governments often stage massrallies, paradesand other demonstrations to show that the dictator enjoys widespread support. • Government propagandaon television, in news articles, and in schoolscontinuously tells citizens how good their government is, and paints any opposition as being disloyalor unpatriotic. The government may hold elections, but the candidates always follow the ruling party line.

9. Impact of Cultural Beliefs on Practices & Viewpoints • Cultural beliefs can have a tremendous impacton government decision-making. If all the members of a culture share certain beliefs, then those shared beliefs will shapegovernment decisions. • For example, all government leaders in China are members of the ChineseCommunistParty. China does not allow rivalpoliticalparties. • Because all Chinese government leaders share the belief that Communist Party rule provides the best government for China, it is unlikely that they will permit oppositionparties or dissensionin the near future. Their shared political culture thus affects their decision-making.

10. PATRIOTISM AND NATIONALISM • Patriotism is loyaltyand supportfor one's country. It is the belief that citizens should obey their country's laws and rally to its defense. • People's attitudes often differ about the valueof patriotism. • Nationalism is the beliefthat each peopleor ethnicgroup, known as a "nation," should have its own government and nation-state. In established nation-states, nationalism is often the beliefthat one's country is among the very bestcountries in the world. Some nationalists feel their nation is so superiorthat they have the rightto take territory from or to even ruleover others.

11. Like other cultural beliefs, patriotism and nationalism can have profound effects on government policies and decision-making. • For example, if a country is attacked, patriotic feelings will encourage its people to defend themselves against the aggressor. Nationalist feelings may lead a country to commit acts of aggression, such as attacking weaker neighbors or seizing overseas colonies. • Nationalist feelings may also discourage a country's leaders from cooperating in international associations. • Nationalism can be a constructive or destructive force. It can help harness national energies, but in multi-ethnicstates, the nationalist feelings of minority groups can tear the country apart.

12. In dealing with internationalissues, it is especially important for government leaders to considerother viewpoints. Each side is often influencedby its own culturalbeliefs, individualinterests, and history. It's difficult to reach a compromise or a solution if the different sides do not understandeach other's points of view. International Issues (“Hot Spots”) Russia& Chechnya Israel& Palestine Iran& NuclearWeapons Different Viewpoints on International Issues