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Chapter 1 The Study of the American Government The Study of the American Government
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Objectives Students should be able to: 1.List the two basic questions to be asked about government and show that they are distinct questions. 2. Explain how political change tends to make political scientists cautious in stating how politics works or what values dominate it. 3. Explain what is meant by political power. Relate it to authority, legitimacy, and democracy. 4. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to American government as democratic. 5. Provide definitions and examples of the four different types of policy outputs of government. 6. Explain the function of public opinion in the four types of policy outputs and indicate under what circumstances the public is most influential and least influential. 7. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter. 8. Describe the Marxist, elitist, bureaucratic, and pluralist theories. Indicate the advantages and shortcomings of each theory as described by the text. Students should be able to: 1.List the two basic questions to be asked about government and show that they are distinct questions. 2. Explain how political change tends to make political scientists cautious in stating how politics works or what values dominate it. 3. Explain what is meant by political power. Relate it to authority, legitimacy, and democracy. 4. Distinguish among the three concepts of democracy mentioned in the chapter, explaining in which of three senses the textbook refers to American government as democratic. 5. Provide definitions and examples of the four different types of policy outputs of government. 6. Explain the function of public opinion in the four types of policy outputs and indicate under what circumstances the public is most influential and least influential. 7. Differentiate between majoritarian politics and elitist politics, explaining the four major theories on the latter. 8. Describe the Marxist, elitist, bureaucratic, and pluralist theories. Indicate the advantages and shortcomings of each theory as described by the text.
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Readings Chapter 1, American Government,Wilson Pluralism reading-courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School The Power Elite reading- courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School Chapter 1, American Government,Wilson Pluralism reading-courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School The Power Elite reading- courtesy of H.T. Reynolds, Ph.D. Univ. of Delaware & David K. Miller, Northport High School
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Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton
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What is Democracy?
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Democracy = “government of the people” Democracy = “government of the people”
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Aristotle’s “rule of many” Greek city-states Direct Democracy Describe If this classroom were a direct democracy? If this school were a direct democracy? Positives? Negatives? Aristotle’s “rule of many” Greek city-states Direct Democracy Describe If this classroom were a direct democracy? If this school were a direct democracy? Positives? Negatives?
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Democratic system: acquire power through vote Representative democracy / republic Democratic system: acquire power through vote Representative democracy / republic
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. Government is based on the consent of the governed. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. Government is based on the consent of the governed.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. In a democracy, the people are sovereign; they are the highest form of political authority. DO YOU FEEL SOVEREIGN -- EXPLAIN. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. In a democracy, the people are sovereign; they are the highest form of political authority. DO YOU FEEL SOVEREIGN -- EXPLAIN.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organization, preparation, and training of political parties, electoral officials, and civil society organizations who monitor the process. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organization, preparation, and training of political parties, electoral officials, and civil society organizations who monitor the process.
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Democracy is not easy.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life. HOW DO YOU PARTICIPATE? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. The key role of citizens in a democracy is to participate in public life. HOW DO YOU PARTICIPATE?
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all citizens. HOW DO PEOPLE DECIDE WHO TO VOTE FOR? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Voting in elections is another important civic duty of all citizens. HOW DO PEOPLE DECIDE WHO TO VOTE FOR?
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC????? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC????? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. Participation can also involve campaigning for a political party or candidate, standing as a candidate for political office, debating public issues, attending community meetings, petitioning the government, and even protesting. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC?????
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC????? People should question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government authority. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. PROTESTING IS DEMOCRATIC????? People should question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government authority.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. WHAT ARE HUMAN RIGHTS?
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. You have the right to have your own beliefs, and to say and write what you think. No one can tell you what you must think, believe, and say or not say. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. You have the right to have your own beliefs, and to say and write what you think. No one can tell you what you must think, believe, and say or not say.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. There is freedom of religion. Everyone is free to choose their own religion and to worship and practice their religion as they see fit. Every individual has the right to enjoy their own culture, along with other members of their group, even if their group is a minority. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. There is freedom of religion. Everyone is free to choose their own religion and to worship and practice their religion as they see fit. Every individual has the right to enjoy their own culture, along with other members of their group, even if their group is a minority.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from them. These rights are guaranteed under international law. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?????? Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from them. These rights are guaranteed under international law. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS??????
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. HOWEVER, everyone has an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. HOWEVER, everyone has an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens. Democracy is a system of rule by laws, not by individuals. In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government. Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens. Democracy is a system of rule by laws, not by individuals. In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government.
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Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens. All citizens are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender. CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 50s/60s Democratic system: Representative democracy / republic FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES 4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens. All citizens are equal under the law. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender. CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 50s/60s
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WHAT GROUPS ARE STILL DISCRIMINATED AGAINST?
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Democratic system: acquire power through vote Representative democracy / republic Positives Negatives Democratic system: acquire power through vote Representative democracy / republic Positives Negatives
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WHY DO WE HAVE THE LATTER? How is the Democratic System working in the United States? WHY DO WE HAVE THE LATTER? How is the Democratic System working in the United States?
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SO ……. Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton SO ……. Democracy is like blowing your nose-- you may not do it well, but you ought to do it yourself. -G.K. Chesterton
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What is power?
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Power = the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Examples of power????? BAD GOOD DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO Power = the ability of one person to get another person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions Examples of power????? BAD GOOD DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO
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What is authority?
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Authority = the right to use power Examples of authority????? Authority = the right to use power Examples of authority?????
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Authority = the right to use power Political offices - the authority lies in the offices not the person Respect the office even if you don’t respect the person. What grants authority? Authority = the right to use power Political offices - the authority lies in the offices not the person Respect the office even if you don’t respect the person. What grants authority?
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What is legitimacy?
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Legitimacy = source of power What establishes legitimacy in the United States? Legitimacy = source of power What establishes legitimacy in the United States?
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Legitimacy = the Constitution 1787 Constitutional Convention Civil War A continuation of the American Revolution FDR’s New Deal SIZE!!!!!! Court Packing!!!!!! Legitimacy = the Constitution 1787 Constitutional Convention Civil War A continuation of the American Revolution FDR’s New Deal SIZE!!!!!! Court Packing!!!!!!
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It is legitimate if it is Democratic… Alexander Hamilton worried we were too Democratic. George Mason worried that we were not Democratic enough. WHO WAS RIGHT? It is legitimate if it is Democratic… Alexander Hamilton worried we were too Democratic. George Mason worried that we were not Democratic enough. WHO WAS RIGHT?
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“ In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. ” – Federalist No. 51 “ In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself. ” – Federalist No. 51
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Can government be strong enough to govern without threatening freedom? WHO SHOULD GOVERN? TO WHAT ENDS SHOULD THEY GOVERN? Can government be strong enough to govern without threatening freedom? WHO SHOULD GOVERN? TO WHAT ENDS SHOULD THEY GOVERN?
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Who governs?
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WHO GOVERNS? Unions Big Business Special Interest Wall Street Bureaucrats Unions Big Business Special Interest Wall Street Bureaucrats Politicians The People The Military The Media White Males Politicians The People The Military The Media White Males
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TO WHAT END? 1935 - 96% of all American families paid no federal income tax 1935 - 96% of all American families paid no federal income tax Today - Most Americans pay 21% of their income Today - Most Americans pay 21% of their income
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