Chapter 1 The Political Landscape  To Accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, and Texas Editions American Government: Roots and Reform, 10th edition Karen O’Connor and Larry J. Sabato  Pearson Education, 2009

Roots of American Government Governments are policymaking vehicles. A citizen is a member of the community. Politics are who gets what, when, and how.

Functions of Government Ideas drawn from Preamble to the Constitution. Establishing justice. Ensuring domestic tranquility. Providing for the common defense. Promoting the general welfare. Securing the blessings of liberty.

Types of Government Monarchy vests power in one in the interest of all. Totalitarianism vests power in one in self-interest. Oligarchy vests power in few in their own interest. Democracy is power for the people.

Table 1.2- Types of Government  Back

Philosophical Origins Enlightenment changes views on government. Mayflower Compact as example of a social contract. Hobbes and Locke’s social contract theory. Hobbes wants a single ruler to protect the weak. Locke believes the protection of property is key.

Government in the Colonies Colonists fear British-style monarchy. New England uses direct democracy. Most later colonies use indirect democracy. Citizens prefer the term republic to democracy.

American Political Culture Personal liberty, or freedom from government. Political equality. Popular consent and majority rule. Popular sovereignty, which is based in natural law. Civil society, or the society created by the people. Individualism. Religious faith.

Table 1.1- Symbols of the United States  Back

Political Ideology Ideologies are beliefs that shape worldviews. Libertarians favor free markets and personal liberty. Conservatives want little regulation of economy. Social conservatives favor regulation of morality. Liberals want an active government. Labels can be problematic.

Figure 1.2- Adult Self-Identification  Back

Changing American People Population is increasing in size. Racial and ethnic composition is shifting. Country is aging. Families are becoming smaller and less traditional.

Figure 1.4- U.S. Population Growth  Back

Figure 1.5- Race and Ethnicity  Back

Figure 1.6- America Is Getting Older  Back

Attitudes Toward Government Demographics shape our perspective. American dream is a goal for many citizens. People have high expectations. Voters can be apathetic. Americans may lack faith in leaders. The standard of living is quite high.

AV- Faith in Institutions  Back

Figure 1.1- Allocation of the Budget  Back

Figure 1.3- 2008 Presidential Election  Back

Table 1.3- Cost of Health Care  Back