ap gov, chapter 1

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Alessandra Ferrante Period 6 Chapter 1 1. It is vital for the average person to comprehend the government because, the government is the institution that makes authoritative decisions for our society, the government makes decisions that influence our lives. The government and its policies impact individuals by providing services such as, schools, libraries, weather for castings, and public parks. The government also provides order for example at large riots the government may resort to calling the National Guard to stop the looting and arson as shown in the 1992 Rodney King verdict.

2. Modern media changed the manner in which people receive political news by focusing mainly on the whom of politics. This means that the media mainly focuses on the voters, candidates, groups and parties.

3. National governments have certain functions in common. They all maintain a national defense, provide public services, preserve order, socialize the young, and collect taxes. To maintain a national defense governments maintain their armed forces so that they can protect their national sovereignty. Governments spend billions of dollars to provide public services like libraries and halfway houses and provide services to people who cannot afford specific needs like education. When people protest, the government must preserve order by calling the National Guard or resorting to other extreme measures. To socialize the young governments provide schooling and lastly, by collecting taxes the government can pay for the many public goods and services they provide.

4. People shape policy by having interests, problems, and concerns. When people vote for candidates who express their opinions, join political parties, post messages on internet chats and, form interest groups they are shaping policy by having there opinions heard policymakers in government political parties and interest groups strive to ensure that their members concerns receive appropriate political attention.

5. According to Robert Dahl there is a list of five criteria that establishes an ideal democratic process they are: Equality in voting- voting must be universal but representative. Effective participation- citizens must have equal opportunities to express their opinions throughout the decision making process. Enlightened understanding- free press and free speech are essential. Citizens control of agendasociety should have the right to control the governments political agenda. Inclusion- The government must extend rights to all subjected under its law.

6. Besides Dahls criteria for a government to be democratic it must practice a policy of majority rules meaning that the will of over half the voters should be followed. Also the policy of minority rule which include freedom of speech and assembly. representation must also be upheld. Representation in politics means that the desires of the people should be replicated in government through the choices of the elected officials.

7. The three contemporary theories of American Democracy are: the pluralist theory, The elite and class theory, and the hyperpluralism theory. The Pluralist theory states that groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing their concerns through organized efforts, mainly a competition between groups, each one pushing for its own policies. The Elite and class theory contends that our society is divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite pulls the strings of government. Hyperpluralism states that many groups, not just the elite ones are so strong that government is unable to act. Stating that groups weaken the government. Hyperpluralism is an extreme version of the pluralism theory.

8. Some challenges to modern democracy are: Increased technical expertise, limited participation in government, escalating campaign costs, and diverse political interests. I believe that the challenge that is most testing of the democratic form of government is the challenge of limited participation in government. Limited participation in government challenges the foundation of democracy, in particular because young people represent the countrys future.

9. The American individualism is reflected in the scope of the U.S. government by having the American society vote for issues that would affect society as a whole. Dick Armey states There is mire wisdom in millions of individuals making decisions in their own self-interest than there is in even the most enlightened bureaucrat making decisions on their behalf This quote sums up how the scope of the United States government displays American individualism.