Introducing Government in America

Introduction

• Politics and government matter.

• Americans are apathetic about politics and government.

Introduction• The American Youth:

– Few keep up with politics.– Less likely to be informed.

Introduction

Introduction• Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Age (Figure 1.3)

Government

• Definition:– The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society.

• This definition leads to two basic questions:– How should we govern?– What should government do?

Politics

• Definition:– How we elect our leaders and what our leaders do with government.

– In other words, politics is…•Who gets what, when and how.

Figure 1.3

The Policymaking System

• The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

• Policymaking begins and ends with the people!

Figure 1.4

People

• Interests• Problems• Concerns

Linkage Institutions

• The “institutions” that LINK the American people it their government!– Political Parties– Elections– News & Entertainment Media– Interest Groups

Policy Agenda

• Political Issues– These arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.

• Some issues will be considered, and others will not.

• A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.

Policymaking Institutions

• Legislature – Congress

• House of Representatives• Senate

• Executive – President– Cabinet & Executive Offices

• Courts – Federal and State

• Bureaucracies – Federal and State

Policy Impacts People

Policy Impacts People

• Impacts of Policies:– Does it solve the problem?– Does it create more problems?

Democracy

• Definition:– A system of voting in representatives to do the work of government for us.

• Key beliefs:– Equality in voting– Effective participation– Informed citizenry– Citizen influence on politics– Inclusion

Theories of U.S. Democracy

• 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.

• Groups will work together• Public interest will prevail

Theories of U.S. Democracy

• 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.

• Not all groups are equal• Policies benefit those with money / power

Theories of U.S. Democracy

• Hyperpluralism– A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.

• There are too many ways for groups to control policy.

• Confusing / contradictory policies

Questions About Democracy

• Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know?

• Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way?

• Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters?

• Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of ALL the people?

Questions about the Scope of Government

• How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government?

• Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms?

• Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?

Questions about the Scope of Government,

continued• Do competing political parties make for better policies?

• Do more interest groups create a bigger government?

• Does the media help control the size and policies government?

Questions about the Scope of Government,

continued• Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big?

• Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups?

• Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?

Questions about the Scope of Government,

continued• Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government?

• Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?