Chapter One The Study of American Government

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Presentation transcript:

Chapter One The Study of American Government

Two Key Questions HOW should we govern? What should government DO? Who are the decision makers? What is our system that we use for decision making? What should government DO? What should be the role of government in our lives? What is the purpose of government?

What is Politics? The way of reconciling competing interests The making of Public Policy The process of policy making: Df. Government laws or regulations which solve a perceived problem Should be a process of “give and take”— compromise

What is Political Power? Control over others—can be extreme—ex. China Political elite: a person that has a disproportionate amount of political power Ex. . . . Elites: can have power even if they are not elected Authority: the right to use power Competitive elections gives the President and members of Congress authority. Legitimacy: what gives one the right to use power. The Constitution grants legitimacy to the government All government authority must be traceable back to the Constitution

What Kind of Elite?

Types of Democracy - not in your textbook Direct democracy: Rule by the people citizens participate by direct vote on all important decisions. Ex. referendum Representative democracy: elected leaders make decisions. Representative democracy is called republican government

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 2013 SCORING GUIDELINES ® UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS 2013 SCORING GUIDELINES Question 1 Points 1. There are several different approaches to representation within a democratic political system. (a) Define direct democracy. (b) Define republican form of government. (c) Describe one reason the framers of the United States Constitution chose a republican form of government over a direct democracy. Part (a): 1 point (SCORING ON THIS ANSWER!) One point is earned for a correct definition of direct democracy: Individual participation on legislation or policy • Rule by the people + OR Making decisions without delegating authority to elected representatives

Making Decisions in a Representative Democracy Majoritarian Politics When leaders get a clear message from the public as to what a public policy should be—and they act on it. This rarely happens: Public opinion is often split or fragmented Public opinion is often ill-informed and changeable Ex. National Health Care; taxes; reproductive rights; war

The Framers’ View Government should mediate what the people say they want—not reflect it A rejection of straight majority rule Framers’ goal: minimize the abuse of power by a tyrannical majority or by officeholders

1. Elitist: A few top leaders will make all important decisions Theories of Government - starts on pg. 14 1. Elitist: A few top leaders will make all important decisions The Power Elite by C.W. Mills a small powerful group of elites: the President, Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Military, Corporate Leaders, Key members of Congress. Ex. The military-industrial complex

2. Bureaucratic: (not in the text book) Appointed civil servants control the government Max Weber-- a German sociologist His thesis: The more technical a society becomes, the more power “experts” have. The “technocrats” have knowledge—knowledge is power Ex. Economists

During the Obama administration policy of NSA surveillance of U. S During the Obama administration policy of NSA surveillance of U.S. citizens without a warrant (which is required by the Constitution), the controversy surrounding this policy deals with: a. what constitutes legitimate government authority b. what constitutes power c. who gets what and why d. should the majority always rule e. there is no right to privacy

During the 2014, 2015, & 2016 events in which police officers have killed civilians, there have been several contentions about what public policy should be. Which of the following best relates to the concepts of Fundamental Democracy? Police need to protect themselves, and should be treated differently than those without authority. The legitimacy of the police as authorities, who might beat, choke, or shoot civilians, is a concern for us and our lawmakers. Review of legitimate authority fits into our concept of democracy. Civilians who are harmed by police, intentional or not, have no ability to use Grand Juries for prosecuting the police officers who use deadly force. Police powers are given to our states, but state governments only respond to political pressure. Mass protests are the number one tool of pressure that citizens have used in the past 40 years to change this.

3. Pluralist: Competition among interests shapes public policy decision-making There are numerous organized interests Ex. Healthcare policy: doctor groups, hospitals, insurance companies, citizen groups, interest groups like AARP Coalitions of interests form around a specific policy A coalition is a “group of groups” NOTE: The various groups ARE NOT equal in resources or power

The pluralist model seems to best describe how policy is generally made in the United States. Examples of interest groups in society today:

4. Hyper-pluralism There are so many interests competing that no coherent public policy is possible Ex. Tobacco Policies Government subsides for tobacco farmers Government policies to stop tobacco use

Important Terms not in the book: Civil society all institutions that comprise a society with a functioning democratic political system. They include: A free press Open and fair elections Independent organizations such as churches, labor unions and interest groups (see next photos) the media, political parties

Walter Ruether, President of the UAW, The next 3 photos: Walter Ruether, President of the UAW, Flanking Martin Luther King, Jr. during protests and marches in 1960’s.

What happened in Iraq after the invasion in 2003? Lawlessness/looting Violent armed factions formed A civil way broke out Why? No viable civil society existed to manage political conflict

Linking institutions – Institutions that connect the people and government. Examples are: Political parties The media Interest groups [ & Elections ] The People The Government

Aspects of direct democracy – not in the text book Recall—a special election to remove an office holder before his term is up Initiative—a process which allows voter to put an issue (legislative matter) to a direct vote of the people (Proposals . . . ) Referendum—a voting process where the people can repeal or reject a law passed by the state legislature

Voters in Troy RECALL Janice Daniels, Nov. 2012 Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Recall Election 2012 WALKER WINS, KEEPS JOB as GOVERNOR

Answer the following: (a)Explain what is meant by power. (b)How does power relate to each of the following: authority, legitimacy, and democracy.   (a)Distinguish between the two concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter and discussed in class. (b) In what sense is the United States a democratic nation? Support your answer?