1 Introducing Government in America

1 Learning Objectives ?v=lrk4oY7UxpQ&index=1&list= PL8dPuuaLjXtOfse2ncvffeelTrq vhrz8H

Essential Question: What are the key functions of government and explain why they matter?

 What is government? How should we govern? What should government do? Maintain a national defence Provide public goods and services Preserve order Socialize the young Collect taxes 1.1 Government

1.1 Transfer of Power We see in this photo a peaceful transfer of power in Congress. When Republicans won a majority of seats, Democrat Nancy Pelosi handed the gavel over to the new Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner.

Afghanistan 1.1 National defense is a key public service. The United States spends over $650 billion a year on national defense. As we learn from the caption, these troops are guarding the road in Afghanistan against explosive devices planted by Taliban insurgents.

1.1 Which of the following is not a duty of government? a.Collecting taxes b.Proving for national defense c.Promoting religion d.Preserving order 1.1

a.Collecting taxes b.Proving for national defense c.Promoting religion d.Preserving order Which of the following is not a duty of government?

Essential Question: Define politics in the context of democratic government.

 What is politics? Who gets what, when, and how  Political participation More than just voting 1.2 Politics

FIGURE 1.1: Political apathy among young and old Americans, 1972–

FIGURE 1.2: Age and political knowledge, 1972 and

FIGURE 1.3: Election turnout rates of young and old Americans, 1972–

 Single-issue groups e.g., abortion 1.2 Politics

Abortion rally 1.2

a.They increase voter participation. b.They negatively affect voter turnout. c.They vote just for politicians who support their issue. d.They force politicians to consider compromises Which is true of single-issue groups?

a.They increase voter participation. b.They negatively affect voter turnout. c.They vote just for politicians who support their issue. d.They force politicians to consider compromises Which is true of single-issue groups?

Essential Question: How do citizens impact public policy and how do policies impact people?

 People Shape Policy  Politics Impact People 1.3 Policymaking System The policymaking system is in effect a cycle. Citizens’ interests and concerns are transmitted through political parties and elections, interest groups, and the media. These concerns shape the government’s policy agenda. Congress, the presidency, and the courts choose the issues on the agenda they will address. The policies that are made, such as laws, executive orders, regulations, and court judgments, then influence people’s lives.

FIGURE 1.4: The policymaking system 1.3

 Linkage institutions  Parties, elections, interest groups, media  Connect people to the policy makers  Policy agenda  Issues that attract attention  Political issue  Result of people disagreeing about the problem  Policymaking institutions Congress Presidency Courts 1.3 People Shape Policy

 Public policy Statute Presidential action/executive action Court decision Budgetary choice Regulation  Policies should be effective –address the problem designed to solve  Policies must have a goal 1.3 Politics Impact People

Table 1.1: Types of public policies 1.3

a.Personal conviction b.Parental rule c.Congressional statute d.Religious edict Which of the following is an example of public policy?

a.Personal conviction b.Parental rule c.Congressional statute d.Religious edict 1.3

Essential Question: Identify the key principles of democracy and outline theories regarding how it works in practice. What challenges does democracy face today?

 Traditional Democratic Theory  Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy  Challenges to Democracy  American Political Culture and Democracy  A Culture War 1.4 Democracy in America

 Key principles of the democratic process (according to Dahl): Equality in voting- one person, one vote Effective participation – adequate and equal opportunities Enlightened understanding- free press and speech are important Citizen control of the agenda- everyone has a voice Inclusion-of all citizens  Majority rule and minority rights  Representation – should reflect the ideas and beliefs of the constituency 1.4 Traditional Democratic Theory

 Pluralism Groups of minorities working together  Elitism Power is held by the wealthy  Hyperpluralism Too many groups try to control policy 1.4 Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy

 Increased complexity of issues – people are not well informed  Limited participation in government- the young do not participate  Diverse political interests - Policy gridlock  Escalating campaign costs- $$ and politics is an ongoing challenge 1.4 Challenges to Democracy

1.4 Super PAC contributions

 Political culture based on American creed Liberty Egalitarianism Individualism Laissez-faire Populism 1.4 American Political Culture and Democracy

FIGURE 1.5: Pride in equal treatment of groups in the U.S. and other established democracies 1.4

 Polarization of liberal and conservative political culture – intense commitment to a candidate, a culture, or an ideology- separating one group definitively away form another Is it happening?  Testing a crisis of values Loss of traditional values (religion, family, education) Less patriotism – love for country Irreconcilable differences- ( gay marriage, abortion ) 1.4 A Culture War?

IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html 1 Video: In Context

1.4 Which of the following illustrates hyperpluralism? a.Use of the court system to try to set policy b.Decrease in patriotism c.Reliance on Congress to limit special interests d.Diversity in political interests 1.4

a.Use of the court system to try to set policy b.Decrease in patriotism c.Reliance on Congress to limit special interests d.Diversity in political interests Interest groups may turn to the courts instead of Congress, turning the court system in a battleground Which of the following illustrates hyperpluralism?

Essential Question: What are the central arguments of the debate in America and the scope of government?

 How Active Is American Government? 1.5 Scope of Government in America Politicians constantly debate whether the scope of government responsibilities is too vast, just about right, or not comprehensive enough. This debate concerns whether the goals that are agreed to be important are best achieved through government action or rather through means other than government.

IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Intro_v2.html 1 Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist

1.5 The political debate over programs that help low- income individuals continues. Do such programs expand the scope of government too much? Or do they help people to get by during hard times?

 Gross domestic product (GDP) The gross domestic product is the total value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States. The federal government spends about one-third of this, or $3.7 trillion a year, implementing public policies, and it employs about 24 million Americans.  Americans expect government to solve problems Unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration, energy, education, lack of access to health care 1.5 How Active Is American Government?

IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_IntroAmrGov_v2.html 1 Video: In the Real World