american government and organization ps1301 thursday, 9 september

American Government American Government and Organizationand Organization

PS1301PS1301

Thursday, 9 SeptemberThursday, 9 September

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Take Quiz in Chapter 1-2Take Quiz in Chapter 1-2

Purchasing books on campusPurchasing books on campus

Separate Institutions with Shared Separate Institutions with Shared PowerPower

Congress passes legislation but President Congress passes legislation but President can use a vetocan use a veto

President appoints executive officers and President appoints executive officers and negotiates treaties.negotiates treaties.

Senate confirms top executive Senate confirms top executive appointments and ratifies treatiesappointments and ratifies treaties

Judicial review (established in Judicial review (established in Marbury vs. Marbury vs. MadisonMadison, 1803), 1803)

Examples of Supra MajoritiesExamples of Supra Majorities

Concurrent majorities (House and Senate)Concurrent majorities (House and Senate) Treaty requires 2/3rds of approval by SenateTreaty requires 2/3rds of approval by Senate Congress requires 2/3rds in both houses to over ride Congress requires 2/3rds in both houses to over ride

a presidential vetoa presidential veto Constitutional amendments require 2/3rds approval Constitutional amendments require 2/3rds approval

by both House and Senate by both House and Senate and and 3/4ths of states or3/4ths of states or 2/3rds in both houses of Congress and ratified by 2/3rds in both houses of Congress and ratified by

conventionsconventions in 3/4ths of the states (used once 21st in 3/4ths of the states (used once 21st Amendment--repealed prohibition)Amendment--repealed prohibition)

National constitutional convention call by 2/3rds of the National constitutional convention call by 2/3rds of the state legislaturesstate legislatures

Process for AmendmentsProcess for Amendments

Reforms at the National LevelReforms at the National Level

The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the The U.S. Constitution was designed to preserve the status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be status quo. However, it does allow for changes to be made through supra-majorities. made through supra-majorities. There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the There have been a total of 17 Amendments since the original Bill of Rights:original Bill of Rights:Examples:Examples:

Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15Voting extended to nonwhites (1870, 15 thth Amendment) Amendment) Direct election of senators (1913, 17Direct election of senators (1913, 17thth Amendment) Amendment) Women given right to vote (1920, 19Women given right to vote (1920, 19thth Amendment) Amendment) Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24Elimination of poll tax (1964, 24thth Amendment) Amendment) Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26Extend voting rights to 18 yr olds (1971, 26 thth Amendment) Amendment)

IdeologyIdeology

A package of ideas, a way of A package of ideas, a way of organizingorganizing one’s thinking about political issues and one’s thinking about political issues and leaders. Anchored by core values that leaders. Anchored by core values that serve to structure other ideasserve to structure other ideas

Liberal vs. conservativeLiberal vs. conservative

A core value that distinguishes them and influences their A core value that distinguishes them and influences their positions on a variety of issues is whether government positions on a variety of issues is whether government should actively promoteshould actively promote individual equality individual equality. . LiberalsLiberals favor active government intervention to promote favor active government intervention to promote equality of outcomesequality of outcomes

flat rate vs. regressive rateflat rate vs. regressive rate income tax vs. sales taxincome tax vs. sales tax

ConservativesConservatives believe that government should be limited believe that government should be limited to ensuring to ensuring equality of opportunitiesequality of opportunities in economic matter. in economic matter. In social matters, however, conservatives favor a more In social matters, however, conservatives favor a more expansive role for government expansive role for government

Right vs. LeftRight vs. Left

Direction comes from French political Direction comes from French political tradition tradition

Those who generally supported the Those who generally supported the policies of the monarch were seated to his policies of the monarch were seated to his right and those who proposed changes in right and those who proposed changes in the system were arranged to his left.the system were arranged to his left.

At the extremes individuals are extremely At the extremes individuals are extremely dissatisfied and want revolutionary changedissatisfied and want revolutionary change

Distribution of Ideology over TimeDistribution of Ideology over Time

Opinions about Government Opinions about Government SpendingSpending

Link to Figure 6.2 in the Text.Link to Figure 6.2 in the Text.

Opinions about Federal SpendingOpinions about Federal Spending

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Moderate SlightlyConservative

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Aids Research Crime Child Care

Source: American National Election Study (NES) 2002


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Conservative

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War on Terror Environment



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Welfare Defense Public Schools


Views of Ideological GroupsViews of Ideological Groups

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Conservatives Liberals


Views of Groups by IdeologyViews of Groups by Ideology

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Gays and Lesbians Femininsts Christian Fundamentalists


Views of Institutions by IdeologyViews of Institutions by Ideology

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Conservative

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erm

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gsSupreme Court Congress


Views of Interest GroupsViews of Interest Groups

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EnvironmentalistsBig Business


Interpersonal TrustInterpersonal TrustMost people can be trusted

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Distribution over timeDistribution over time

Who are the Liberals?Who are the Liberals?

PoorPoor

Low EducationLow Education

Low Strata OccupationLow Strata Occupation

MinorityMinority

UrbanUrban

Jew, CatholicJew, Catholic

DemocratsDemocrats

Who are the Conservatives?Who are the Conservatives?

WealthyWealthy

High EducationHigh Education

High Status OccupationHigh Status Occupation

WhiteWhite

SuburbanSuburban

ProtestantProtestant

RepublicanRepublican

Minimum WageMinimum Wage

Homosexuals Serving in the Homosexuals Serving in the MilitaryMilitary

Ideology and IssuesIdeology and Issues

american government and organization ps1301 thursday, 9 september

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