ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is power? What is political power? Who has the power?

WHAT IS POWER? Politics 101

DICTIONARY DEFINTION Power is the exercise of political authority over the actions, affairs, etc., of a political unit, people, etc., as well as the performance of certain functions for this unit or body; the action of governing; political rule and administration  

POWER The ability to get someone to do what you want them to do Examples?

WHAT IS POWER? Ability to make decisions Ability to control change Having influence over others Causing another to act on your intentions

POLITICAL POWER The ability to get someone to vote for you, support your policy or position, or to get them to do what you want in government.

WHAT IS POLITICAL POWER? •“Who gets what, when, and how.” -Harold Laswell Political Power deals with people and their..... -NEEDS: $, protection, food, shelter, etc -VALUES: religion, morals, ethics -ATTITUDES: conservative vs liberal, etc

WHAT IS POLITICAL POWER? Political Power is based on 2 principles: AUTHORITY- accepted expert LEGITIMACY- Support of the people; Consent of the governed- Voting

AUTHORITY *General acceptance that one should be able to exercise a power

LEGITIMACY The right to use power granted by constitution, law, or the people.

WHO HAS POWER? The RICH? The INTELLIGENT? The MILITARY? The MEDIA? The MAJORITY usually but not always -Whites? -Protestants? -Males?

PRIVATE v. PUBLIC MATTERS What should the government be allowed to regulate? What areas should always be private and not subject to government regulation? The enduring democratic debate!

TO WHAT ENDS? Why has the government gotten involved in so many things? What did the government do initially (1787)? Why did government get more power? Do we really need or want them to regulate so much? What areas should the government regulate? Has 9/11 changed what we want the government to do? Would you be willing to give up some freedom for additional protection?

TO WHAT ENDS? Framers Jefferson Lincoln FDR JFK/LBJ 9/11 Today?

GOVERNMENT IMPACT Taxes! Traffic laws Education Criminal law codes Standardized weights and measures Guarantees of civil liberties/ rights Labor standards Quality standards Licensing of Professionals Protection/support for underprivileged Etc…

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS What is power? What is political power? Who has the power?