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Understanding American Government

Understanding American Government. The Role of Government in America John DeGraca POS 2041. Outline. Why do we have Government The Founders Conceptions Reasons for Government Expansion Americans’ Ambivalence about Government Opinions about Gov’t in the Obama Years

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Understanding American Government

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  1. Understanding American Government The Role of Government in America John DeGraca POS 2041

  2. Outline • Why do we have Government • The Founders Conceptions • Reasons for Government Expansion • Americans’ Ambivalence about Government • Opinions about Gov’t in the Obama Years • Trust and confidence in Government

  3. Why have Government In Democracies To have a measure of control over the people To have a monopoly on the use of military power To protect personal freedom To regulate society 2. In Dictatorships and Totalitarian nations Regulate every aspect of life 3. Stateless state

  4. How did the US developed the size of government we have? 1. The Founders conceptions Early Settlers Religious reasons Economic reasons The Constitution Tenth Amendment (delegation of Power) Flexibility to allow Constitution to expand The Role of the People To vote for members in the House of Rep

  5. Reasons for Government Expansion Why does Government Grow? Civil War Industrial Revolution Great Depression (1929-1933) New Deal; 16th Amendment (income, Tax) World War II and the Cold War Civil Rights Era Great Society (9) Backlash to Government Growth

  6. Americans’ Ambivalence about Government • Public Opinion about Government Spending • Americans are of two minds about government size and activity • Cut spending • Increase number of programs • The Diversity of Antigovernment Groups • Supporters of smaller government shows their displeasure • They challenge power to tax • They challenge power to regulate • States rights

  7. Opinions about Government in the Obama Years • Impact of Recession • 2008-2009 level of unemployment • Loss of jobs • High mortgage rates • Bailouts • Reaction to President Obama • Many people did not trust him in matters of national economy; issues of birthplace; citizenship; religion • Reaction to Democratic Policies • Health care reform; climate change measures; education reform; and stabilize the economy

  8. Trust and Confidence in Government

  9. Conclusion • Founders distrusted government and today people have similar sentiments • The role of government should be minimal • Market forces should regulate the economy

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