1Introducing Government in America

1Learning Objectives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrk4oY7UxpQ&index=1&list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrqvhrz8H

Essential Question: What are the key functions of government and explain why they matter?

What is government? How should we govern? What should government do? Maintain a national defence Provide public goods and services Preserve order Socialize the young Collect taxes

1.1Government

1.1Transfer of Power

We see in this photo a peaceful transfer of power in Congress. When Republicans won a majority of seats, Democrat Nancy Pelosi handed the gavel over to the new Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner.

Afghanistan 1.1

National defense is a key public service. The United States spends over $650 billion a year on national defense. As we learn from the caption, these troops are guarding the road in Afghanistan against explosive devices planted by Taliban insurgents.

1.1 Which of the following is not a duty of government?

a. Collecting taxes

b. Proving for national defense

c. Promoting religion

d. Preserving order

1.1

a. Collecting taxes

b. Proving for national defense

c. Promoting religion

d. Preserving order

1.11.1 Which of the following is not a duty of government?

Essential Question:

Define politics in the context of democratic government.

What is politics? Who gets what, when, and how

Political participation More than just voting

1.2Politics

FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–2008

1.2

FIGURE 1.2: Age and political knowledge, 1972 and 2008

1.2

FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of young and old Americans, 1972–2010

1.2

Single-issue groups e.g., abortion

1.2Politics

Abortion rally 1.2

a. They increase voter participation.

b. They negatively affect voter turnout.

c. They vote just for politicians who support their issue.

d. They force politicians to consider compromises.

1.21.2 Which is true of single-issue groups?

a. They increase voter participation.

b. They negatively affect voter turnout.

c. They vote just for politicians who support their issue.

d. They force politicians to consider compromises.

1.21.2 Which is true of single-issue groups?

Essential Question: How do citizens impact public policy and how do policies impact people?

People Shape Policy

Politics Impact People

1.3Policymaking System

The policymaking system is in effect a cycle. Citizens’ interests and concerns are transmitted through political parties and elections, interest groups, and the media. These concerns shape the government’s policy agenda. Congress, the presidency, and the courts choose the issues on the agenda they will address. The policies that are made, such as laws, executive orders, regulations, and court judgments, then influence people’s lives.

FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system

1.3

Linkage institutions Parties, elections, interest groups, media

Connect people to the policy makers

Policy agenda Issues that attract attention

Political issue Result of people disagreeing about the problem

Policymaking institutions Congress Presidency Courts

1.3People Shape Policy

Public policy Statute Presidential action/executive action Court decision Budgetary choice Regulation

Policies should be effective –address the problem designed to solve

Policies must have a goal

1.3Politics Impact People

Table 1.1: Types of public policies 1.3

a. Personal conviction

b. Parental rule

c. Congressional statute

d. Religious edict

1.31.3 Which of the following is an example of public policy?

1.3 Which of the following is an example of public policy?

a. Personal conviction

b. Parental rule

c. Congressional statute

d. Religious edict

1.3

Essential Question: Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice. What challenges does democracy face today?

Traditional Democratic Theory

Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy

Challenges to Democracy

American Political Culture and Democracy

A Culture War

1.4Democracy in America

Key principles of the democratic process (according to Dahl): Equality in voting- one person, one vote Effective participation – adequate and equal opportunities Enlightened understanding- free press and speech are important Citizen control of the agenda- everyone has a voice Inclusion-of all citizens

Majority rule and minority rights

Representation – should reflect the ideas and beliefs of the constituency

1.4Traditional Democratic Theory

Pluralism Groups of minorities working together

Elitism Power is held by the wealthy

Hyperpluralism Too many groups try to control policy

1.4Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy

Increased complexity of issues – people are not well informed

Limited participation in government- the young do not participate

Diverse political interests - Policy gridlock

Escalating campaign costs- $$ and politics is an ongoing challenge

1.4Challenges to Democracy

1.4Super PAC contributions

Political culture based on American creed Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism

1.4American Political Culture and Democracy

FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatmentof groups in the U.S. and other established democracies

1.4

Polarization of liberal and conservative political culture – intense commitment to a candidate, a culture, or an ideology-

separating one group definitively away form another

Is it happening?

Testing a crisis of values Loss of traditional values (religion, family, education)

Less patriotism – love for country Irreconcilable differences- (gay marriage, abortion)

1.4A Culture War?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html

1Video: In Context

1.4 Which of the following illustrates hyperpluralism?

a. Use of the court system to try to set policy

b. Decrease in patriotism

c. Reliance on Congress to limit special interests

d. Diversity in political interests

1.4

a. Use of the court system to try to set policy

b. Decrease in patriotism

c. Reliance on Congress to limit special interests

d. Diversity in political interests

Interest groups may turn to the courts instead of Congress,

turning the court system in a battleground.

1.41.4 Which of the following illustrates hyperpluralism?

Essential Question:What are the central arguments of the debate in America and the scope of government?

How Active Is American Government?

1.5Scope of Government in America

Politicians constantly debate whether the scope of government responsibilities is too vast, just about right, or not comprehensive enough. This debate concerns whether the goals that are agreed to be important are best achieved through government action or rather through means other than government.

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Intro_v2.html

1Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist

1.5The political debate over programs that help low-income individuals continues. Do such programs expand the scope of government too much? Or do they help people to get by during hard times?

Gross domestic product (GDP)• The gross domestic product is the total value of all goods and services produced

annually by the United States. The federal government spends about one-third of this, or $3.7 trillion a year, implementing public policies, and it employs about 24 million Americans.

Americans expect government to solve problems Unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration, energy,

education, lack of access to health care

1.5How Active Is American Government?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_IntroAmrGov_v2.html

1Video: In the Real World