American Government: Basics Lecture #1
What is political power? Terms Power: ability for one body (person, government) to get another person or government institution to do something Is force used? Does the government have too much power? Who decides? Authority: right to use power Tend to only have authority to use power if you have…. Legitimacy: determination of who has authority Can the President issue a travel ban? Can Congress pass healthcare legislation? Can the Courts legalize gay marriage?
What is American Political Culture? American political culture: set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share Natural Rights: Lockean views life, liberty, property Social contract: people allow their government to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society Popular sovereignty: government’s right to rule derives from people republicanism (small “r”): system which authority of government comes from people representative democracy
Different Types of Democracy Direct: every citizen participates in the decisions government must make (everyone plays equal role) Examples: Ancient Greece Indirect/Representative: Examples: current US government; student government at PFHS
Who Governs? Marxist Theory Control economic system, control government Based on writings from Karl Marx Elitist Theory Top, powerful leaders (some economic, some not) make decisions and do not typically represent popular beliefs Started with C. Wright Mills, American sociologist
Who Governs? 3. Bureaucratic Theory Appointed civil servants (public actors) who operate and control the government Marxism is flawed because it forgets the many government institutions that exist In other words, capitalists (rich business elites) AND government workers can come to power Based on Marx’s protege→ Max Weber 4. Pluralist Theory Competition exists and no single group has all the power because there are so many different resources (money, prestige, media, etc) and levels of government that no group can control all gov’t
Institutions, Systems, & Power US Constitution forms basis for nation’s government, its purpose, and the framework for political institutions Political institutions: structure of government US is a constitutional republic: democratic system with elected representatives in which the Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Ms Ottenberg’s Docket 8/26-8/27 Students will research current events and find examples of the five purposes of government as listed in the Preamble of the Constitution To do: Chapter 1 Notes Review textbook access (LCPS GoTextbooks Launchpad) Purpose of news chart: due Monday, September 2 11:59 PM