AP COMP GOV A civilization that proves incapable of solving the problems it creates is a decadent civilization. A civilization that chooses to close its eyes to its most crucial problems is a stricken civilization. A civilization that uses its principles for trickery and deceit is a dying civilization. Aimé Cesairé

DO NOW According to the author, people who have experienced disenfranchisement understand fissures in our society better. What is your opinion on this?

Egypt & the Arab Spring Your thoughts…continued

Interest Articulation The method in which people and social groups let their needs and demands be known to a government Individual Level: Citizen Action Voting: Electing our representatives Informal Group (Community or neighborhood groups working collectively to address a common need) Direct Contact: Personal or Policy: Writing to an elected official (Veterans writing letters in response to conditions at VA medical centers) Protest Activity: Spontaneous, sometimes violent focused action (Ferguson Protests in response to Michael Browns shooting) Political Consumerism: Buying or Boycotting a product (Clothing companies for using sweatshop labor)

Protest Activity

How do different forms of citizen action vary in their potential to influence policymakers? How does a “civil” society differ from a noncivil society? What are the consequences when an interest group works through legitimate channels of influence rather than coercive channels?

The Arab Spring vs. Occupy Wall Street Voting? Informal Groups? Direct? Protest Activity? Political Consumerism?

Citizen Participation Where do we rank? Britain Russia Mexico China Iran

United States of America “However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” George Washington, Farewell Address, September 17, 1796 Was he right?

American Politics from an outsider’s view “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.” Alexis DeToqueville, Democracy in America, 1835 Was HE right?