Foundations of Government “There has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free.” Thomas Jefferson

Government & Our Lives How does government impact your life? Why participate? Those who participate in the political process are more likely to benefit from government programs & policies…Why? For Your Own Good Why? Politicians listen to voters, because that’s who’s going to vote during elections Become Informed: why do you have poor individuals who are against raising the taxes on the wealthy, but are dependent on Government programs like Unemployment Insurance, Medicaid, and soc. Prog. Medicare

Activity: Step 1 Define the following terms…in your own words: Democracy Government Politics Political Power Policy Agenda Policy Linkage Institution

What is Democracy? Democracy: Govt. in which supreme power is vested in the people… Means of organizing govt so policy represents & responds to the public’s preferences Founders distrust of democracy led to… Indirect Democracy: People elect representatives to rule in their interest Why? Aristotle on Democracy: “Rule of the Many” Representation-desire of people replicated in govt. thru choice of elected officials Founders didn’t trust ordinary Americans…uneducated…leads to Electoral College, state legislatures select senators originally Senators originally chosen by state legislators

Political Cartoon Founders Distrust of Democracy

What is Government? Government: The institutions & processes thru which public policies are made for society How should we govern? What should government do? Maintain National Defense Provide Public Services Public Goods: Services that everyone shares; can’t be denied (use of highways, clean air & water) Preserve Order Collect Taxes How should we govern? Democracy, Monarchy, Dictatorship (Add photos: Tanks/pearl harbor, highways, schools, nat’l guard, tax) What should government do? Maintain National Defense, Preserve Order Public services like school and medical care can be restricted to individuals who meet certain criteria but may be provided by public sector as well…Governments typically provide these services to make them accessible to those can’t afford public services Preserve Order: James Meredith—Univ. of Miss. 1962

What is Politics? Politics: process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Who gets what, when, where, & why Political Participation in U.S. U.S. one of lowest voter participation rates in World Why? How can you participate? U.S. voters: distorted sample…who makes up the voting bloc? How does this impact policy? Elderly, Strong Party Affiliation, High SES How can you participate? Vote, protest, civil disobedience

U.S. Voter Participation Rates How does the U.S. stack up against other countries?

Policy and Politics Political Power: Policy: What Government Does… power used to determine who will hold office and how the govt will behave. Policy: What Government Does… Government + Politics = Policy Policy Agenda: Issues that attract the attention of public officials Linkage Institution Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, & Media Connect people to government/policy makers Policymaking Institutions?: Legislature, Executive, Courts, & Bureaucracy

Roots of American Government Historical Documents Magna Carta (1215): Estbl. idea that the power of the monarch is not absolute and there are fundamental rights held by everyone. Mayflower Compact (1620): Idea of colonial self-government Petition of Rights (1628): challenged the idea of divine right and said the monarch had to obey the laws of the land. English Bill of Rights (1688): William and Mary of Orange signed this and made representative govt. supreme Research Magna Carta, Petition of Rights 1628, Bill of Right 1688, Mayflower Compact

Roots of American Government—Enlightenment Philosophers Hobbes & Locke Hobbes People naturally fight so need govt for protection (stability) Social Contract Locke: Govt’s purpose is to reserve and protect people’s inalienable rights/property Separation of Powers Montesquieu: Add photos of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

Locke, Jefferson, and the Declaration of Independence Primary Source Analysis

Locke & U.S. Government Influence on Govt. Influence on D.O.I Govt. w/ consent of people 3 fn. of govt.—laws, settle disputes, execute laws (sep. of powers) Limited Government Supreme power in the legislator Influence on D.O.I Govt. w/ consent of people Natural Rights Right to overthrow unjust/despotic governments

Jefferson & D.O.I What’s Jefferson’s goal in listing abuses by King George (& Parliament)? Abuses 1-12: King George’s Estbl. of Tyrannical Rule in Place of Representative Govt. 13-22: Involvement of Parliament in Destroying Self Rule (“King combined w/ others to…” 23-27: Specific Actions King George Took to Abandon Colonies/Wage War

Who Governs: Theories Elite Theory: A small # of rich, powerful people make the decisions; thus, it’s rarely responsive to the will of the people. There is an identifiable group with a disproportionate share of power. Elite = powerful.. Pluralism: So many groups vying for resources, it’s impossible for any one group to win…thus, there is compromise. More than one interest supports a decision/action. Hyperpluralism: Too many groups to make any form of compromise → political gridlock. Many theories as to who governs… Elitists: Argued that the Constitution is elite theory that benefitted the Founders Interest Group Theory: Underlying notion is that there will be winners and losers in the competitive system and the govt. chooses the winners and losers.