Introduction

Learning Objectives Overview of government and its roles Overview of government and its roles Overview of American Political Culture and how it compares to the rest of the world Overview of American Political Culture and how it compares to the rest of the world Introduction to key concepts in American government Introduction to key concepts in American government

Key Terms Social Contract Social Contract Civic Participation Civic Participation Political Ideology Political Ideology Federalism Federalism

Introduction I.The Social Contract: A. Democratic government is basically a simple concept— it is a social contract in which people agree to join in partnership to carry out functions that as individuals they cannot otherwise accomplish. B. Examples: build and run schools, highways, criminal justice systems, create monetary and banking systems, insure national defense. II. The Contract Restricts Independence: A. Even the most enlightened social contracts require citizens to give up some of their personal freedom, independence and wealth. B. All of us must follow majority rules, although enlightened governments protect the fundamental rights of all citizens, and provide ways to influence and change the government.

Popular Consent Social Contract Theory People are source of power People are source of power People give consent to government to rule People give consent to government to rule Government provides protection of natural rights Government provides protection of natural rights

The Theory of Democratic Government Direct democracy Direct democracy Indirect democracy Indirect democracy Republic Republic

Direct Democracy A system in which all come together periodically to discuss policy and abide by majority rule. A system in which all come together periodically to discuss policy and abide by majority rule. New England town meeting New England town meeting

Indirect Democracy A system of government that allows citizens to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf. A system of government that allows citizens to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.

Republic A government rooted in the consent of the governed. A government rooted in the consent of the governed.

III. Involuntary: You and I have no choice about being a part of the social contract. We were born or perhaps immigrated into it. Short of moving to another country, we are obligated to obey its laws, but, since we live in a democracy, we can work to change them. IV Impact: Government has a huge impact on all of us. As one measure of the impact of government on each of us, over our lifetime as workers, we will give governments about 1/3 of all the money we earn.

V. The Role of Civic Participation: A. Self-governance, or political participation, lies at the heart of a representative democracy. B. That is why the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring you to take this course. The hope is that an informed citizen, will be an active citizen. C. Unfortunately, for many of you, this required course comes at the wrong time in your life. D. Studies show that young adults are the most politically apathetic age group in our society. E. There are good reasons. Many of you are not yet homeowners, parents, and serious taxpayers. When you are, you will more clearly see the valve, role and impact of government.

VI. Who Does Participate? A. Educated and higher-income Americans are the most politically informed and politically active members of our society. B. In any community, you will find an educated and generally upper-income elite that plays a major role in the political process. A few hundred people have a great deal of political power in Houston. C. Very busy people take the time to participate because they know how important a role government plays in society. D. We have more elections than any other democracy.

Voting Turnout by Age, 2000 (Figure 6.3) Turnout by Age, 2000 (Figure 6.3)

Americans Are Not Very Knowledgeable About the Specifics of American Government

Governments around the World Governments around the World Most governments on the earth today, and in the past, have been tragic failures. Most governments on the earth today, and in the past, have been tragic failures. Most governments on the earth today are not really based on any type of viable system of self-governance. Many do not even pretend to allow their citizens to play a role in their government. Look at the modern world. There are about 190 nations that are members of the United Nations. Most are not real democracies. Most are not very competent; many are very badly run dictatorships. China, most African nations, most of Central and Latin America, most of the Middle East nations are governmental failures of one type or another.

Percentage of the World’s Population, 2003

IX The Founding Fathers: A. The framers of the constitution of 1788 (the constitution our government is based on) had seen a lot of bad governments. They wanted to avoid what they thought of as the worst flaws. B. One primary goal was to design a government that could not be seized by a small group of people. C. As a precaution, they divided the government into three branches Executive, Legislative, Judiciary. D. Additionally, they build checks and balances into the system. Each branch has some power over the other branches. E. And, last, they created an independent judiciary to safe guard it from corrupting political forces.

F. One result is a rather conservative government. One that makes fundamental changes carefully and usually slowly. G. Over the course of the semester, we will examine how our government is designed, how our government has evolved over time to become a more viable democracy, how the basic institutions function, and how public policies are made.

Americans Have Grown Increasingly Skeptical of the National Government

The Public Thinks There Is a Lot of Waste In Government

The American People Population Growth, Demographics, Cultural Values

U.S. Population by Race and Ethnicity, 2000 and 2025

Population of Nations 1. China1.3 billion 2. India1.1 billion 3. USA300 million 4. Indonesia219 million 5. Nigeria 160 million 6. Russia144 million 7. Japan130 million 8. Mexico105 million 9. Germany82 million 10. Iran68 million 11. France60 million 12. Sweden9 million 13. Norway4.5 million

Graying of America The growth of the population age 65 and older will affect every aspect of our society, presenting challenges as well as opportunities to policymakers, families, businesses, and health care providers. The growth of the population age 65 and older will affect every aspect of our society, presenting challenges as well as opportunities to policymakers, families, businesses, and health care providers. In 2011, the “baby boom” generation will begin to turn 65, and by 2030, it is projected that one in five people will be age 65 or older.

Texas Age 65+ Percentages Anglo Black Hispanic Other

Texas Race & Ethnicity Percentages Anglo Black Hispanic Other

Americans Are Far More Involved with Religion Than People Elsewhere

Americans Emphasize Individual Responsibility Much More Than People Elsewhere

Americans Are Far Less Supportive Than People Elsewhere of Government Actions to Reduce Economic Inequality

Income Inequality in U.S. vs. Other Countries

Americans Are Much More Optimistic About Their Chances of Getting Ahead Than People Elsewhere

Even Racial and Ethnic Minorities Share the Individualist Values of the Larger Society

Even Less Affluent Americans Share the Individualist Values of the Larger Society

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies Political Ideology: Political Ideology: A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. A coherent set of beliefs about politics, public policy, and public purpose. Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Who Are the Liberals and Conservatives? Views change over time Views change over time

What Americans Value: Political Ideologies

U.S. Tax Burden vs. Other Democracies

U.S. Debt vs. Other Countries

Summary Our government is a social contract that we are born or immigrated into that restricts our independence in order to provide safety and basic services. Our government is a social contract that we are born or immigrated into that restricts our independence in order to provide safety and basic services. Participation in the system has been declining. Participation in the system has been declining. Democracy and Self-Governance are relatively new ideas that are spreading, but there are still many countries that are not free. Democracy and Self-Governance are relatively new ideas that are spreading, but there are still many countries that are not free. Our government was the first democracy. Our government was the first democracy. The founding fathers designed the government very carefully to guard against tyranny with separation of powers, checks and balances, and an independent judiciary. The founding fathers designed the government very carefully to guard against tyranny with separation of powers, checks and balances, and an independent judiciary.

Summary The United States is an immigrant society with an increasing number of minorities. The United States is an immigrant society with an increasing number of minorities. There are two major ideologies liberal and conservative. Moderates are those in the middle. There are two major ideologies liberal and conservative. Moderates are those in the middle. The Federal Budget is an important part of the government because it is composed of various types of taxes and pays for all the services our government provides. The Federal Budget is an important part of the government because it is composed of various types of taxes and pays for all the services our government provides. We have a system of federalism where power is distributed between the national, state, and local governments. We have a system of federalism where power is distributed between the national, state, and local governments.

Discussion Questions Given this information about declining turnout, lack of knowledge, and who actually participates, what are the implications for our government and the social contract? Given this information about declining turnout, lack of knowledge, and who actually participates, what are the implications for our government and the social contract? Is the spread of Democracy inevitable? How and why does it spread? Is the spread of Democracy inevitable? How and why does it spread?

Discussion Questions Is there a relationship between the fact that the US is an immigrant society and the values of individualism we discussed? If so what? Is there a relationship between the fact that the US is an immigrant society and the values of individualism we discussed? If so what? Why do you think the tax burden is less here than in other countries? What are the implications does this have? Why do you think the tax burden is less here than in other countries? What are the implications does this have?

Supplemental

Federalism The Relationship Between the Federal and State Governments The Relationship Between the Federal and State Governments

The Bureaucrats Growth in Civilian Government Employees (Figure 15.1) Growth in Civilian Government Employees (Figure 15.1)

Where Are the Key Buildings in Washington?

Party Eras in American History Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.3) Party Coalitions Today (Figure 8.3)

The Party in the Electorate