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Introducing Government in America

This video provides an introduction to the key functions of government, the principles of democracy, the scope of government in America, and the impact of politics on public policy. It also explores the challenges democracy faces today.

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Introducing Government in America

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  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 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 Afghanistan

  10. 1.2 Politics • What is politics? • Who gets what, when, and how • Political participation • More than just voting

  11. 1.2 FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–2008

  12. 1.2 FIGURE 1.2: Age and political knowledge, 1972 and 2008

  13. 1.2 FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of young and old Americans, 1972–2010

  14. 1.2 Politics • Single-issue groups • e.g., abortion

  15. 1.2 Abortion rally

  16. 1.3 Policymaking System • People Shape Policy • Politics Impact People

  17. 1.3 FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system

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

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

  20. 1.3 Table 1.1: Types of public policies

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

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

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

  26. 1.4 New Hampshire license plate

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

  28. 1.4 FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment of groups in the U.S. and other established democracies

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

  30. 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?

  31. 1 Video: In Context http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html

  32. 1.5 Scope of Government in America • How Active Is American Government?

  33. 1 Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Intro_v2.html

  34. 1.5

  35. 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?

  36. 1 Video: In the Real World http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_IntroAmrGov_v2.html

  37. 1 Video: So What? http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch01_Introducing_Government_in_America_Seg6_v2.html

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