Introduction to Political Science Mr. Dupuis

Political Thinking: Becoming a Responsible Citizen Chapter 1

Learning to Think Politically Political thinking Political thinking Involves the careful gathering and sifting of information to form a knowledgeable view about a political issue Involves the careful gathering and sifting of information to form a knowledgeable view about a political issue Important for responsible citizenship Important for responsible citizenship 3

Learning to Think Politically Barriers to political thinking Barriers to political thinking Main barrier: unwillingness of citizens to make the effort to self-inform Main barrier: unwillingness of citizens to make the effort to self-inform Changes in media consumption: more people consume biased cable television and Internet blogs Changes in media consumption: more people consume biased cable television and Internet blogs “Spin” by political leaders and government entities “Spin” by political leaders and government entities Research shows faulty perceptions becoming more prevalent Research shows faulty perceptions becoming more prevalent 4

Learning to Think Politically What political science can contribute to political thinking What political science can contribute to political thinking Political science: the systematic study of government and politics Political science: the systematic study of government and politics A descriptive and analytical discipline; can increase ability to think politically A descriptive and analytical discipline; can increase ability to think politically Political science can provide deeper analysis Political science can provide deeper analysis 5

Politics and Power in America Politics: the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs Politics: the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting benefits and costs Harold Lasswell defines politics as conflict over “who gets what, when, and how” Harold Lasswell defines politics as conflict over “who gets what, when, and how” Power: the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments Power: the ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments Those who prevail in political conflicts are said to have “power” Those who prevail in political conflicts are said to have “power” 6

Democracy Definition: a form of government in which the people govern, either directly, or through elected representatives. Definition: a form of government in which the people govern, either directly, or through elected representatives. Direct Democracy: one person, one vote Direct Democracy: one person, one vote Representative democracy: a government in which citizens elect representatives to serve in their absence Representative democracy: a government in which citizens elect representatives to serve in their absence In practice, majority rule through the free and open election of representatives In practice, majority rule through the free and open election of representatives 7

Politics and Power in America Majoritarianism: the majority effectively determines what government does Majoritarianism: the majority effectively determines what government does One limit of this is that the “majority” is usually only clear on a few issues One limit of this is that the “majority” is usually only clear on a few issues Pluralism: a theory that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups Pluralism: a theory that holds that society’s interests are substantially represented through power exercised by groups The preference of special interest groups largely determine determines what the government does The preference of special interest groups largely determine determines what the government does Authority: the recognized right of officials to exercise power Authority: the recognized right of officials to exercise power 8

America’s Governing Systems and Related Sources of Power 9

Politics and Power in America A constitutional system A constitutional system The Constitution: elaborate checks and balances, Bill of Rights The Constitution: elaborate checks and balances, Bill of Rights Constitutionalism: idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power Constitutionalism: idea that there are lawful restrictions on government’s power Restraints on majority power Restraints on majority power Judicial action: the use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts Judicial action: the use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their rights and settle their conflicts 10

Lawyers per Million Persons 11

Politics and Power in America A free market system A free market system Operates mainly on private transactions Operates mainly on private transactions Some government intervention through regulatory, taxing, and spending policies Some government intervention through regulatory, taxing, and spending policies Tax rate much lower in U.S. than in European countries Tax rate much lower in U.S. than in European countries Corporate power: influence firms have over policymakers Corporate power: influence firms have over policymakers Elitism: power exercised by the influential few Elitism: power exercised by the influential few 12

Politics and Power in America Who does govern? Who does govern? Defining characteristic of American politics: widespread sharing of power Defining characteristic of American politics: widespread sharing of power Women and minorities initially excluded; their power will steadily grow over time Women and minorities initially excluded; their power will steadily grow over time 13