What is the Purpose of Government? Which theory of Modern American Democracy is most accurate? Describe the basic steps and components of the policymaking system and include examples of each.

What is the Purpose of Government? Governments serve four (4) basic purposes: (1) Maintain social order (2) Provide public goods, service, and defense (3) Secure natural rights (4) Provides economic decision-making (how to collect and spend $)

How does the government get power?

Types of Democracy What is direct democracy? example: What is representative (Republic) democracy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Traditional Democratic Theory Equality in Voting Effective Participation Enlightened Understanding Citizen Control of the Agenda Inclusion Majority Rule and Minority Rights “Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.” –James Bovard

Today’s Theories of American Democracy: Pluralist Theory argues that there are many centers of influence/interest groups in which the groups compete with one another for control over public policy through bargaining and compromise. Hyperpluralist Theory argues that too many strong influential groups cripple the government’s ability to make coherent policy by dividing government and its authority…leads to policy gridlock Elite/Class Theory argues that society is divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite rules on the basis of its wealth, elite/wealthy interest groups dominate

Policy Implementation Policymaking Institutions The Policy-Making System Policy Implementation Policymaking Institutions Linkage Institutions Grass Roots