AP Government Chapter One

Introducing Government in America

Thomas Jefferson once said that there has

never been, nor ever will be, a people who are

politically ignorant and free.

Government: Institutions that make

Authoritative decisions for any given society

1. Maintain national defense

2. Provide public services

3. Preserve order

4. Socialize the young

5. Collect taxes

Key TermsPolitics: “Who gets what, when, and

how”—Harold D. Lasswell

Linkage Institutions: Policymaking

systems that transmit the preferences

of Americans to the policymakers in

government (i.e.. Parties, interest

groups, media, elections)

Has our nation become more or less democratic over the past 200 years?

Discuss with your neighbor.

Writers of the Constitution had no fondness for democracy as many of them doubted the ability of ordinary Americans to make informed judgments about what government should do

--Lineberry

Our Views have Changed…or have they?

Roger Sherman, delegate to Constitutional Convention, said the people “Should have as little to do as may be with the government”Much later, Americans came to cherish democracy and believe that all citizens should actively participate in choosing leaders

Abraham Lincoln stated in the famous Gettysburg Address, “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”…

Moving us closer to our democratic, all inclusive society today

Traditional Democratic Theory

According to Robert Dahl, democracy, ideally,

should satisfy 5 criteria:1. Equality in voting = “One person, one vote”

2. Effective Participation

3. Enlightened Understanding

4. Citizen Control of the Agenda

5. Inclusion = Must include and extend rights to all subject to laws

Democratic TermsMajority Rule: in choosing among alternatives, will of over half the voters should be followed

Minority Rights: Basic principles such as freedom of speech and assembly are inviolable minority rights, which the majority cannot infringe upon

Theories of American Democracy

Theories about who has power and influence in a society

Who really governs in our nation?

Three Theories1. Pluralist Theory

2. Elite and Class Theory

3. Hyperpluralism

Pluralism

Pluralist Theory

Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pressing concerns through organized efforts

NRA, NOW, UAW are examples of organized groups that compete with one another for control over policy and yet no one group or set of groups dominates the political arena

Generally optimistic that public interest will eventually prevail in making public policy through a complex process of bargaining and compromise

Groups of “minorities” working together

Thoughts on Pluralism…

Robert Dahl “All active and legitimate groups in population can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the process”Alexis de Tocqueville (1830s’) “nation of joiners” which he attributes high levels of associational activities as a crucial reason for success of American democracyRobert Putnam argues that many of the problems of American democracy stems from a declines in group-based participation because technology (TV, Internet) has served to increasingly isolate Americans

PTA, Elks, Shriners, League of Women Voters all have been declining for decades

Believes that Americans’ activities are becoming less tied to institutions and more self-defined

“Bowling Alone” explains that membership in bowling has dropped sharply while at the same time, more people are bowling

Elite and Class Theory

Elite & Class Theory

Contends that our society is divided along class lines and that upper class elite pulls the strings of governmentWealth (property, stocks, bonds) is the basis of this power 1/3 of nation’s wealth held by 1% of populationWealthy 1% control most policy decisions because they can afford to finance election campaigns and control key institutions, such as large corporationsDon’t merely influence policymakers but are policymakers=power

Hyperpluralism

Hyperpluralism

Pluralism gone sour; Groups are so strong that government is weakened

Many groups are so strong that the government is unable to act

Too many ways for groups to control policy (any policy requiring the cooperation of national, state, and local levels of government can be hampered by reluctance of any one of them

Groups have become sovereign and government is merely their servant

These powerful groups divide the government and its authority

Government gives in to every conceivable interest and single issue group

When this happens, policies are confusing; contradicting and muddled…if policy can be created at all