Introducing Government in America

The Scope of Government

• Fundamental Question: Is the government responsible for ensuring important societal goals (such as adequate healthcare or fair business practices) are achieved?

Government Matters

Young People are Politically Apathetic

• Why? – They think they can’t make a difference– They think the political system is corrupt– They don’t care

• What are the benefits of being informed? – Fostering Civic Virtues– Informed Voting– Active Political Participation

Government

• The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society.

• Essential Questions– How should we govern? – What should government do?

Government

• Basic Functions of Government– Maintain National Defense– Provide Public Services– Preserve Order– Socialize the Young– Collect Taxes

Politics

• The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue.

• “Who gets what, when, and how.” (Lasswell)– Who: Voters, Candidates, Groups, Parties– What: Issues, Services, Benefits– How: Voting, Lobbying, Protesting

Politics

• Political Participation: All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders and the policies they pursue. – Ex: voting, protesting, civil disobedience – Americans’ participation very low

Policymaking

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

• Essential Components– People– Linkage Institutions – Policy Agenda– Policymaking Institutions– Policy

Politics

Democracy

• A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.

Democracy

• Democratic Theory– Equality in Voting – Effective Participation – Enlightened Understanding– Citizen Control of the Agenda– Inclusion • Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights

Democracy

• Three Theories of American Democracy – Pluralist Theory:• Politics is a competition among groups • No one group dominates

– Elite Theory: • An upper-class elite control government

– Hyperpluralism: • Many strong groups competing hinder government’s

ability to perform

Challenges to Democracy

• Increased Technical Expertise – Hard for citizens to make well-informed decisions

• Limited Participation in Government – Americans know little about leaders and policy

• Escalating Campaign Costs – Connection between money and politics– Increased influence of PACs

• Diverse Political Interests– Policy gridlock

American Political Culture

• Political Culture: An overall set of values shared by most members of society

• Elements of American Political Culture: – Liberty – Egalitarianism – Individualism– Laissez-Faire – Populism