Introducing Government in America

1. Introducing Government in America 1

2. 1 Video: The Big Picture http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch01_Introducing_Government_in_America_Seg1_v2.html

3. 1 Learning Objectives Identify the key functions of government and explain why they matter 1.1 Define politics in the context of democratic government 1.2

4. 1 Learning Objectives Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people 1.3 Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice and the challenges democracy faces today 1.4

5. 1 Learning Objectives Outline the central arguments of the debate in America over the proper scope of government 1.5

6. 1 Video: The Basics http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_IntroAmrGov_v2.html

7. 1.1 Government • What is government? • How should we govern? • What are the options? • Discuss • What should government do? • Maintain a national defence • Provide public goods and services • Preserve order • Socialize the young • Collect taxes

8. 1.1 Transfer of Power

9. 1.1 Ferguson

10. 1.1 1.1 Which of the following is not a duty of government? • Collecting taxes • Proving for national defence • Promoting religion • Preserving order

11. 1.2 Politics • What is politics? • Who gets what, when, and how • Political participation • More than just voting

12. 1.2 FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–2008

13. 1.2 FIGURE 1.2: Age and political knowledge, 1972 and 2008

14. 1.2 FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of young and old Americans, 1972–2010

15. 1.2 Politics • Single-issue groups • e.g., abortion

16. 1.2 Abortion rally

17. 1.2 1.2Which is true of single-issue groups? • They increase voter participation. • They negatively affect voter turnout. • They vote just for politicians who support their issue. • They force politicians to consider compromises. Answer

18. 1.3 Policymaking System • People Shape Policy • Politics Impact People

19. 1.3 FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system

20. Linkage institutions Policy agenda Political issue Policymaking institutions Congress Presidency Courts 1.3 People Shape Policy

21. Public policy Statute Presidential action Court decision Budgetary choice Regulation Policies should be effective Policies must have a goal 1.3 Politics Impact People

22. 1.3 Table 1.1: Types of public policies

23. 1.3 1.3Which of the following is an example of public policy? • Personal conviction • Parental rule • Congressional statute • Religious edict Answer

24. 1.4 Democracy in America • Traditional Democratic Theory • Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy • Challenges to Democracy • American Political Culture and Democracy • A Culture War

25. Key principles of the democratic process (according to Dahl): Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion Majority rule and minority rights Representation 1.4 Traditional Democratic Theory

26. Pluralism Groups of minorities working together Elitism Power is held by the wealthy Hyperpluralism Too many groups try to control policy 1.4 Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy

27. Increased complexity of issues Limited participation in government Diverse political interests Policy gridlock Escalating campaign costs 1.4 Challenges to Democracy

28. 1.4 Super PAC contributions

29. Political culture based on American creed Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism 1.4 American Political Culture and Democracy

30. 1.4 New Hampshire license plate

31. Political culture based on American creed Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism 1.4 American Political Culture and Democracy

32. 1.4 FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment of groups in the U.S. and other established democracies

33. Political culture based on American creed Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism Can you explain why we find such discrepancies in an area where we also find complete public support for the basic principles? How might we reconcile such competing perspectives? 1.4 American Political Culture and Democracy

34. Polarization of liberal and conservative political culture Is it happening? Testing a crisis of values Loss of traditional values Less patriotism Irreconcilable differences 1.4 A Culture War?

35. 1 Video: In Context http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html

36. 1.4 1.4 Which of the following illustrates hyperpluralism? • Use of the court system to try to set policy • Decrease in patriotism • Reliance on Congress to limit special interests • Diversity in political interests Answer

37. 1.5 Scope of Government in America • How Active Is American Government? • The political debate over programs that help low-income individuals continues. • Do such programs expand the scope of government too much? • Or do they help people to get by during hard times?

38. Gross domestic product (GDP) Government spends 1/3 Government employs 24 million people Americans expect government to solve problems Unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration, energy, education, lack of access to health care 1.5 How Active Is American Government?

39. 1.5 1.5About one-third of the GDP is spent by • The federal government • State governments • Local governments • All three governments combined Answer