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The Study of American Government

The Study of American Government. Wilson Chapter One. Politics . Unity is rare D iffer in 2 areas Who governs? Will affect what they to and for us To what ends? How government affects our lives Separate questions Focus on who. To what ends?. What are the best things governments do?

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The Study of American Government

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  1. The Study of American Government Wilson Chapter One

  2. Politics • Unity is rare • Differ in 2 areas • Who governs? • Will affect what they to and for us • To what ends? • How government affects our lives • Separate questions • Focus on who

  3. To what ends? • What are the best things governments do? • Historic accomplishments • Top ten list • Page 4 • What are the worst things governments do? • Historic failures • Commission • Omission

  4. Who governs? • Power • Ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions • Congress passing legislation • President sending troops into combat OR • National press printing a photo • Speechwriter crafting a press release • How is power used to affect who holds office? • How is power used to affect what government does?

  5. Who governs? • Authority • The right to use power • Varies over time • Varies around the world • Legitimacy • Political authority conferred by law or by a state or national constitution • US Constitution • Democratic

  6. Democracy • Rule of the many • Direct • Participation • Few people • Narrow group • Simple issues • Representative • Elitist • Time • Expertise • Emotional

  7. Republic • Constitution • “republican form of government” • Representative democracy • Used interchangeably with democracy • Competition for leadership • Meaningful choices • Free communication • “public good” vs. “will of the people”

  8. Representative Democracy • Minimize the abuse of power • Overcome popular tyranny • Lack of knowledge • Susceptible to manipulation • Access to time and information • Rule of law • Best system?

  9. Distribution of power • Majoritarian politics • Leaders follow the wishes of the people • Applies when issues are simple and clear • Elitism • Persons who possess a disproportionate share of power • Four theories of elitist power

  10. Elitist power theories • Marxist • Reflection of production • Controlled by top capitalists • Power Elite • Served by government • Includes institutions outside of government • Bureaucratic • Appointed officials • Exercise of how laws play out • Pluralist • No single power group • Bargain and compromise lead to outcomes

  11. Self interest • Cynical view that each is out for political gain • Outcomes do not always follow authors’ motives • Inequalities within the system • Common good • Public spirit

  12. Political change • Who gets what? • Hard to quantify • Shared understanding • Common friendships • Communal organizations • Process of legislation • Administration of law • Avoid sweeping claims • Delay judgment until after observing wide range of behaviors

  13. Who Governs? • How is political power actually distributed in America? • What explains major political change?

  14. To What Ends? • What values matter most in American Democracy? • Are trade-offs among political purposes inevitable?

  15. Supplemental Readings • Woll page 10 • The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action • Woll page 31 • Framing the Constitution • Woll page 41 • Federalist 47, 48, 51 • FT5 page 3 • Taking the AP Exam

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