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AP Gov Ch 1 What is government? Theories about government. Core ideas of American democracy
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Government – the institution….
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How does government effect your life? Name specific roles of government.
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What is government? The institute that makes collective decision for our society Makes public policy decisions Promotes the common good
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American Apathy – the evidence Knowledge of government and politics Voter turnout Watch presidential speeches Follow politics Fed up - polarization Can Americans “be free, yet ignorant?” T. Jefferson
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U.S. Voter Turn-out vs.. Other Democracies
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Political Efficacy – What is it? Who feels it? And why?
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Why are American Youth Turned Off/ uninformed? (Chart 1.2) Politics dirty? Knowledge gap - internet Political efficacy – or lack thereof Sense of civic virtue? Consumerism – me first Loss of social capital – Putnam theory Fragmentation of culture – other stuff more interesting Voting is not easy or convenient No burning issue (war, draft…) Too busy?
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Why do over 60 year olds vote and participate at a higher rate? Remember – those who participate the most gain the most.
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3 Levels of American government 500,000 elected officials
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electscottcraig.com
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The functions/purposes of all governments. National defense/Defend Sovereignty - $650 B.+ on Defense General welfare/Promote Public good – dignity and worth of every individual – parks, public schools… Preserve order/Enforce Rule of law – 1.5 m. in jail – courts, prosecutors… Collect taxes/revenue – 33% of all USA GDP Socialize youth – patriotism – obedience? – Hard work? How far is too far?
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Politics – “Who gets what, when, and how.”
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Apply Who gets what, when and how to Medicaid expansion in Michigan 450,000 new enrollees $7 million per day cost paid by the federal gov. Once implemented, 30% of total Michiganders will receive (70% will pay for the 30%) Based on 133% of the federal poverty line
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Forms of political participation Voting Joining single issue/special interest groups Surveys Internet – social media, blogs… Donate $$ Lobby Pressure elected officials – letters, calls Protest
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Public Policy – All actions (or inactions) taken by government on issues of public concern Goal – results – Obama economic stimulus package??? Reagan’s inaction on the AIDS crisis
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Policy Making System The process by which public policies come into being, evolve, change The Players
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Public Agenda - issues that attract serious public concern Agenda Setting – Top issues of concern
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Linkage Institutions Work in concert to shape public policy
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3 Branches of the U.S. governmental System – Balance of Power
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What is democracy? Direct vs. Indirect or representative democracy 5 th century AthensSenate in Rome
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Why Democracy? So that policies respond to and represent the will of the people – public preferences
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Founder’s fears about democracy Rule by the mob - ignorance Fear of taxation – majority takes and redistributes wealth from the minority Social class differences – reconcillable?
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Gradual Expansion of Democracy expansion of suffrage Religion Property ownership African-Americans – former slaves Women D.C. residents 18 year olds Immigrant debate today – future voters?
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Lincoln Quote, “Of the people, for the people, and by the people.” Popular Sovereignty. Is this what the Founding Fathers had in mind?
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Core or Traditional Ideas about Democracy Equality – Of opportunity/ not results Effective participation - adequate and equal opportunity Marketplace of ideas – informed citizens and civic virtue Citizen control of the agenda – wealth effect? Inclusion – rights to all.
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Majority Rule – Minority Rights
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3 Modern Theories about American Democracy Pluralists Elite and class theory hyper pluralism
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Challenges to Democracy Complex technologies Low participation Escalating campaign costs Polarized political interests - gridlock
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American Political Culture – Declaration of independence Creed Liberty – Max freedom, without… Egalitarianism – political and economic opportunity Individualism – boot strap analogy Laissez-faire – free market – “cowboy capitalism” Populism – Lincoln “of – for – by the people”. – popular sovereignty – the people grant powers to the gov.
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Modern culture war – hot button issues Polarizing Issues
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Scope of American Government – What we expect from government Is the government too big – doing too much? Entitlements and deficit spending Reagan/Bush/ and Republican POV on smaller government and lower taxes
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Total government spending (state, local, federal) $3.8 B. total Defense 18% Social Security 20% Medicare and Medicaid – over 24% National debt $17 Trillion+ Annual deficit 3013 – $900 B
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