Introducing Government in America Chapter 1 Introduction l

Introducing Government in America Chapter 1

Introduction l Politics and government matter. l Americans are apathetic about politics and government. l American youth are less likely to be informed about government and politics and participate less in politics.

Introduction l The Political Disengagement of College Students Today (Figure 1. 1)

Introduction

Introduction l Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age (Figure 1. 3)

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 what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. l Also consider Lasswell’s definition: – Who gets what, when and how.

The Policymaking System l Figure 1. 3 The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time. Figure 1. 4

People l Interests l Problems l Concerns

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

Policy Agenda l Political Issues – These arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it. l Some issues will be considered, and others will not. l A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.

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

Policy Impacts People

Policy Impacts 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 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 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 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 contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. l There are too many ways for groups to control policy. l Confusing / contradictory policies

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

Questions About Democracy l Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know? l Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way? l Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters? l Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of ALL the people?

American Individualism l Individualism is the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the government. l Individualism is highly valued in the United States with a strong preference for free markets and limited government.

Questions about the Scope of Government l How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government? l Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms? l Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued l Do competing political parties make for better policies? l Do more interest groups create a bigger government? l Does the media help control the size and policies government?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued l Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big? l Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups? l Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued l Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government? l Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?