AP Government & Politics

Chapter 1 The Study of American Government

1. List the two basic questions to be asked about government in the United States (or any other nation) and show that they are distinct questions.

2. Explain what is meant by power, and by political power in particular. Relate the latter to authority, legitimacy, and democracy.

3. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to United Statesgovernment as democratic.

4. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter.

There are two major questions about government: Who governs? To what ends? Four answers have traditionally been given to the question of who governs.

Marxist: Those who own the means of production, controlling the economic system, will control the government.

Elitist: A few top leaders, drawn from the major sectors of the United States polity, will make all important decisions

Bureaucratic: Appointed civil servants control the government, without consulting the public.

Pluralist: Competition among affected interests shapes public policy decision-making.

Types of DemocracyDirect vs. representative democracy

Text uses the term “democracy” to refer to representative democracy

1. Constitution does not contain word “democracy” but “republican form of government”

2. Representative democracy requires leadership competition if system is to work – requires meaningful choice for voters, free communication, etc.

How is Power distributed in a Democracy?

Framers favored representative democracy 1. Government would mediate, nor mirror,

popular views

2. People were viewed as lacking knowledge and susceptible to manipulation

3. Framers’ goal: to minimize the abuse of power by a tyrannical majority or by officeholders

How is power distributed in a democracy?

Majoritarian politics• Leaders constrained to follow wishes of the

people very closely• Applies when issues are simple and clear

Elitism• Rule by identifiable group of persons who

possess a disproportionate share of political power

Four Theories on political elitesa. Karl Marx: government merely a reflection of

underlying economic forces, primarily the pattern of the ownership of the means of production; government is controlled

by the dominant social class; “Haves vs. have nots”b. C. Wright Mills: power elite, composed of key

corporate leaders, military leaders, and political leaders, control and are served by government

c. Max Weber: expertise, specialized competence (bureaucrats) will dominate

d. Pluralist view: no single elite has monopoly on power; hence must bargain and compromise while being responsive to followers

1. List the two basic questions to be asked about government in the United States (or any other nation) and show that they are distinct questions.

2. Explain what is meant by power, and by political power in particular. Relate the latter to authority, legitimacy, and democracy.

3. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to United Statesgovernment as democratic.

4. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter.