POLS 021E THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM FALL SEMESTER 2017 Professor Holmes
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT POWER & PURPOSE Chapter 1 Introduction: Making Sense of Government and Politics Theodore J. Lowi Benjamin Ginsberg Kenneth A. Shepsle Stephen Ansolabhere
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. (Who is the most recent justice on the U.S. Supreme Court? Who nominated this person? How many senators voted to confirm the nomination?) By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. Analytical questions: Asking questions related to why the empirical reality around us is the way that it is. By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. Analytical questions: Asking questions related to why the empirical reality around us is the way that it is. (What explains why Gorsuch was the nominee chosen? Why did all Republican senators vote for him, and nearly all Democratic senators vote against him? Why did a few Democratic senators support his confirmation? By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. Analytical questions: Asking questions related to why the empirical reality around us is the way that it is. Normative questions: The “should” questions, related to how the world should be. By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. Analytical questions: Asking questions related to why the empirical reality around us is the way that it is. Normative questions: The “should” questions, related to how the world should be. (Should Democrats have supported Gorsuch’s appointment? Should President Trump have been able to replace Justice Scalia?) By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
How Political Scientists Study Government and Politics Political scientists ask three basic kinds of questions: Empirical questions: Asking about identifiable facts and patterns that are true in the world around us. Analytical questions: Asking questions related to why the empirical reality around us is the way that it is. Normative questions: The “should” questions, related to how the world should be. By empirical we mean that the question aims to identify facts and patterns that are true in the world around us
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order Hobbes (1588-1679): Life in the “state of nature” is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order Hobbes (1588-1679): Life in the “state of nature” is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Protect property
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order Hobbes (1588-1679): Life in the “state of nature” is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Protect property John Locke (1632-1704)
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order Hobbes (1588-1679): Life in the “state of nature” is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Protect property John Locke (1632-1704) Provide public goods
Why is Government Necessary? Maintain order Hobbes (1588-1679): Life in the “state of nature” is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Protect property John Locke (1632-1704) Provide public goods Avoiding the “free rider” problem
What kind of political system does the United States have? Democracy
What kind of political system does the United States have? Democracy Representative democracy/Indirect democracy/Republic
What kind of political system does the United States have? Democracy Representative democracy/Indirect democracy/Republic Vs. Pure democracy/Direct democracy
What kind of political system does the United States have? Democracy Representative democracy/Indirect democracy/Republic Vs. Pure democracy/Direct democracy Constitutional Government/Limited Government
What kind of political system does the United States have? Democracy Representative democracy/Indirect democracy/Republic Vs. Pure democracy/Direct democracy Constitutional Government/Limited Government Federalist System