Defining Government Theories of Government Democracy Government l

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Defining Government Theories of Government & Democracy

Defining Government Theories of Government & Democracy

Government l Definition: – The institutions and processes through which public policies are made

Government l Definition: – The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. l This definition leads to two basic questions: – How should we govern? – What should government do?

Politics l Definition: – The process by which we select our governmental leaders and

Politics l Definition: – The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. l Has a “distributive aspect” – Easton l Lasswell – Politics: Who Gets What, When and How

The Policymaking System l Figure 1. 3 The process by which policy comes into

The Policymaking System l Figure 1. 3 The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

People l Interests l Problems l Concerns

People l Interests l Problems l Concerns

Linkage Institutions l Political Parties l Elections l News & Entertainment Media l Interest

Linkage Institutions l Political Parties l Elections l News & Entertainment Media l Interest Groups

Policy Agenda l Political Issues – These are the “whats” that the various people

Policy Agenda l Political Issues – These are the “whats” that the various people want taken care of. l Items at the top of the policy agenda are taken care of first. l It may take years to get an item on the policy agenda, and then several more years to get it acted on.

Policymaking Institutions l Legislature (Congress) l Executive (President) l Courts (Federal and State) l

Policymaking Institutions l Legislature (Congress) l Executive (President) l Courts (Federal and State) l Bureaucracies (Federal and State)

Policy l Expenditures of money l Raising or lowering taxes l New laws or

Policy l Expenditures of money l Raising or lowering taxes l New laws or regulations l Non-decisions (gridlock)

People l Impacts of policies: l Does it solve the problem? l Does it

People l Impacts of policies: l Does it solve the problem? l Does it create more problems?

Democracy l Definition: – A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so

Democracy l Definition: – A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. l l l Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Pluralist Theory – A theory of government and

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Pluralist Theory – A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. l Groups will work together l Public interest will prevail

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Elite and Class Theory – A theory of

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Elite and Class Theory – A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization. l Not all groups are equal l Policies benefit those with money / power

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Hyperpluralism – A theory of government and politics

Theories of U. S. Democracy… l Hyperpluralism – A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. l Exaggerated / perverted form of pluralism l Confusing / contradictory policies l Gridlock- inability to act at all

Challenges to Democracy l Increased Technical Expertise l Limited Participation in Government l Escalating

Challenges to Democracy l Increased Technical Expertise l Limited Participation in Government l Escalating Campaign Costs l Diverse Political Interests