AP U. S. Government-Ms. Baeslack Chapter 1

Definition: Institutions that make policy and decide on the allocation of resources and resolves conflicts. Government

Government- What type of government is depicted?

What was right with countries using this form of government? What was wrong? A Glimpse From History

Definition: Who is selected to be government leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. “Who gets what, when and how”- Laswell Model A process to decide; Who –gets …. What-which policies become law How- through political participation When-Timeframe Politics

Politics

What would your cartoon look like? Politics

Policymaking-Who shapes it in a Democracy?

Policymaking Institutions Legislature (Congress) Executive (President) Courts (Federal and State) Bureaucracies (Federal and State) Policymaking Institutions

Policymaking Institutions Political Parties Elections Media Interest Groups (including single issue groups) Policymaking Institutions

The Policy Making Process Policy Making Involves: a. Individuals or groups identify a problem b. The problem becomes part of the policy agenda c. Congress passes legislation d. The bureaucracy implements it e. Feedback leads to revisions The Policy Making Process

Policy Agenda Definition: The issues that government is addressing at a point in time Items at the top of the policy agenda are taken care of first. It may take years to get an item on the policy agenda and then several more years to enact policy. Policy Agenda

What policies are being considered in August/September 2017 Research: https://www.opencongress.org https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/ Policy Agenda

Policymaking, Case Study Camden N. J. Case study- Read the summary- in your group develop an action plan of policies that will make the changes. An action plan consists of a number of action steps or changes to be brought about in your community. A. Make a Vision-Goal-what do you want to accomplish? B. It describes the strategies that will be used to meet the goal C. What actions or changes will occur? 1.Who will carry out these changes? People, offices, community leaders 2.By when they will take place, and for how long? 3.What resources (i.e., money, staff) are needed to carry out these changes? 4.Communication (who should know what? D. List the steps Policymaking, Case Study

What is your definition of Democracy What is your definition of Democracy? What is included in the definition? Democracy

Democracy Definition: Equality in voting Effective participation A system with free and fair elections and civil rights and liberties. Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion Democracy

Democracy What is your opinion on the following issues: Immigration Laws- Giving illegal immigrants driver license Ferguson-like demonstrations Mandatory Health Care Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Abortion Laws Federal Budget Government Assistance Housing U.S. Troops sent to Middle East to fight ISIS State Graduation Assessments/NCLB Taxes placed on cyber-use Cable/Internet Monopolies Democracy

Theories of U.S. Democracy Pluralist Theory A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies. Groups will work together Public interest will prevail Theories of U.S. Democracy

Theories of U.S. Democracy Elite and Class Theory A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule. Policies benefit those with money / power Theories of U.S. Democracy

A super PAC is a political-action committee that is allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals and associations. Some nonprofit groups are allowed to contribute to super PACs without disclosing where their money came from. Elite and Class Theory

Challenges to Democracy Increased Technological Complexity Limited Participation in Government Escalating Campaign Costs Diverse Political Interests Challenges to Democracy

Questions About Democracy Are the people knowledgeable enough about government? Is low voter turnout a threat to democracy? Do political parties meet the needs of most American voters? Questions About Democracy

Questions about the Scope of Government How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government? Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms? Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms? Questions about the Scope of Government

Questions about the Scope of Government How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government? Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms? Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms? Questions about the Scope of Government

Questions about the Scope of Government Does the media adequately inform citizens of what is happening in government? Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government? Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve? Questions about the Scope of Government