1. American Government

2. The American Political Landscape

3. U. S.: same constitution for over 200 years. –Only 27 amendments. France: past 60 years, 5 republics! Dominican Republic: 1844 to 1966, 31 constitutions!

4. We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Prosperity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.

5. The American Political Landscape Factors contributing to stability of the US constitution? –It’s flexible –It’s open to interpretation “We the People” has changed a lot since 1787. Virtually the entire adult population regardless of race, gender, religion, or other socioeconomic indicators.

6. The Political Landscape Early days of the American republic, only people allowed to participate in ‘democracy’? White, land-owning men over 25 (actual voting age depended on the state in which he lived).

7. The Political Landscape Change a constant in the U.S. Past generations: –Govt a help –Post WWII: V.A. Mortgage Loans G.I. Bill education

8. The Political Landscape Post 9/11: –Surge of patriotism. –Many Americans don’t think much, or care much, about government. Many believe the government doesn’t promote the “general welfare” very much.

9. The Political Landscape For others, the future seems quite uncertain: –Disputed presidential elections of 2000. –Stock market collapse and war on terrorism of 2001. –Establishment of a new cabinet department-- the Office of Homeland Security.

10. The Roots of American Government Sir Issac Newton -Society could be improved through reason, science, open mindedness. Greeks: natural law. –Society governed by ethical principles that are part of nature and can be understood through reason.

11. The Roots of American Government Protestant Reformation: people could talk directly to God. –Led people to believe they might also have a say in their own governance. Implications: –Changed the way people thought about government. –Self government or democracy rather than divine right.

12. The Roots of American Government A Growing Idea: Popular Consent Individual empowerment of the Reformation a necessary precursor to democracy. –Covenants: self- governing congregation with no need of a hierarchy led to the idea that secular matters could also be self-governing.

13. The Roots of American Government Popular Consent cont’d Covenants evolved into the idea of the social contract: People consenting to be governed is one of the bases of democracy. Hobbes and Locke –Both believed. –Differed about the reasons for a contract and what life was like prior to the contract (the state of nature).

14. The Roots of American Government Thomas Hobbes: A pessimist: man’s basic state was one of war. Strong government was necessary to restrain man. Man must give up certain rights to government in order to survive. www.iep.utm.edu/h/hobmoral.htm

15. The Roots of American Government John Locke: Men form governments to preserve property and justice. If government fails to do so, people have a right to revolt since government broke the contract. www.utm.edu/research/iep/ l/locke.htmwww.utm.edu/research/iep/ l/locke.htm

16. The Roots of American Government Both Hobbes and Locke inspired the Founding Fathers. American system tries to strike a balance between the two views.

17. The Roots of American Government Devising a National Government Forms of government in vogue at the time of the founding? –Monarchy, oligarchy, and aristocracy. –All based on elite rule and give few rights to subjects. Colonists wanted escape from old regimes. Sought a new system: a democracy.

18. 7 Characteristics of American Democracy 1. Popular Consent 2. Popular Sovereignty 3. Majority Rule 4. Individualism 5. Equality 6. Personal Liberty 7. Civil Society

19. 7 Characteristics of American Democracy 1. Popular Consent Locke: governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed.

20. Characteristics of American Democracy 2. Popular Sovereignty Right of the majority to govern themselves. Political authority rests with the people. Terminology popularized during pre-Civil War debates over slavery.

21. Characteristics of American Democracy 3. Majority Rule Numerical majority of votes cast should elect officials and determine policies. Problems over protections of minority rights.

22. Characteristics of American Democracy 3. Majority Rule (cont’d.) Today, problems arise in that a minority of Americans participate in elections. Elections become the voice of the majority who voted.

23. Characteristics of American Democracy 4. Individualism Holds that the primary function of government is to enable the individual to achieve his or her highest level of development.

24. Characteristics of American Democracy 5. Equality Actually “political” equality: the notion of one person, one vote. Clearly some individuals wield more clout than others.

25. Characteristics of American Democracy 6. Personal Liberty Initially meant freedom from governmental interference. Today it includes demands for freedom to engage in a variety of practices free from governmental discrimination. 14th Amendment: equal protection under the laws.

26. Characteristics of American Democracy 7. Civil Society Society created when citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in an open debate about public policy.

27. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People Changing Size and Population 1790s: < 4 million people in 13 states. –Each Congressman represented 30,000 people. Today: > 285 million people in 50 states, plus territories, commonwealths, and dependencies. –A Congressman from Montana represents 905,000 people.

29. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People Changing Demographics 1. Changes in Racial and Ethnic Distributions Colonial era: Protestant Christian Anglo-Saxons. –Small numbers of slaves, Asian laborers, and indentured servants who had no rights. Immigration: –1900s (Peak)=Northern and Eastern Europeans. –1980s (Mini Peak): Asians and others.

30. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 1. Changes in Racial and Ethnic Distributions (cont’d.) U.S. Is no longer an Anglo- Saxon country. By 2025, Latinos/Hispanic Americans will outnumber African Americans and the Asian American population is expected to double.

31. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 2. Changes in Age Composition America is getting “grayer.” American life expectancy at founding? 35 on average. Modern life expectancy? In excess of 74. Implications for public policy, particularly health care and social security.

32. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 2. Changes in Age Composition (cont’d.) Age groups and generational labels. Groups are characterized by common characteristics formed on the basis of common political experiences. “Baby Boomers”: generation born after WWII. Experimental and liberal. JFK, the summer of love, the Beatles. Now approaching retirement. “Generation X-ers”: generation born in the late 60s through the 70s. “Generation Y”: most recent generation. Faith in capitalism and highly optimistic. Formative experiences in the boom 80s.

33. Not only are we bigger we are also more diverse. In colonial times most Americans were Anglo- Saxon. In 2000, the U.S. population was made up of… –whites 69.1% –African Americans 12.1% –Hispanics 12.5% –Asian 3.6% Changing Demographics

35. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 3. Changes in Family and Family Size Family sizes shrinking; single-parent families on the rise. Ideal family size, measured by polls? 1949 = 4 children Today = 0 to 2 children % of households as family households? 1940 = 90% Today = 55% two parent and 15% single-parent

38. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 4. Implications of These Changes Intensified the “us” vs “them” attitudes. Economic downturns impact relations between newer and more established groups in society. Changes in immigration and resistance to assimilation contribute to governing problems and complicate policy.

39. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 4. Implications of These Changes (cont’d.) Demographics are important because attitudes, values, and ideas affect: –Views on politics and government –How and whether we vote –What issues we support or oppose Examples: Baby Boomers want to protect Social Security Young parents want to improve public schools What about single people without children?

40. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. The Ideology of the American Public What’s your ideology? What do you feel is the correct role of government in general? In the following circumstances, what should the role of government be: –Poverty in general, child poverty, child abuse, marriage and divorce laws, privacy issues, defense issues? Do you consider yourself a liberal, conservative, or what? What does that mean to you?

41. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. The Ideology of the American Public (cont’d.) Political ideology is defined as a more or less consistent set of values that are reflected in the political, economic, social, and moral makeup of society. Examples of ideologies are “conservative”, “liberal”, and “libertarian”.

42. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. Ideology (cont’d.) In modern America, a conservative: Favors state action over federal action Emphasizes fiscal responsibility such as balanced budgets Feels many social issues such as poverty and homelessness are best addressed by the private sector

43. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. Ideology (cont’d.) In modern America, a liberal: Favors a more active government esp. in terms of regulation of the economy Calls for the protection of the rights of minorities, the elderly, women, and the environment Advocates social services for the poor and working classes

44. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. Ideology (cont’d.) In modern America, a libertarian: Believes in free market economics, personal privacy, and extremely limited government. Hardliners argue that government’s only legitimate role is national defense. Moderates favor limits on government and spending, but a larger role than just defense.

45. The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the American People 5. Ideology (cont’d.) Problem? Thoughtless application of labels. –Polarize political debate obscuring common ground. Labels misleading. –People often hold conflicting views instead of a true ideology. Need to be used carefully.

46. Political Culture and Views of Government Our ideology and experience affect how we view government. It’s become cultural to expect negative campaigns, dishonest politicians, and political pundits who bash leaders and institutions.

49. Political Culture and Views of Government Most people get their news from electronic media: –Network news, cable news, internet. News magazine shows and “scoops”. –Increased reporting of scandals and rumors that often turn out to be incorrect.

50. Political Culture and Views of Government Little thoughtful commentary and lots of shallow reporting. Emphasis on interesting images instead of important issues. Looking at the above gives us some idea why so many in our society today are uninformed and pessimistic.

51. Political Culture and Views of Government Four resulting cultural problems: 1. High expectations Demands that government fix our problems. Has led to the increased size and scope of government. Response to crises like war, depression, social unrest.

52. Political Culture and Views of Government 1. High expectations (cont’d.) Campaigns and campaign promises lead us to expect more of government. Public cynicism when promises aren’t met.

53. Political Culture and Views of Government 2. A missing appreciation of the good People: no idea what government does for them. Blame government rather than their own shortcomings. Little sense of history. –1970: 11% of people graduated college –2002: 26% –Poverty rate fairly constant the last 30 years

54. Political Culture and Views of Government 3. Mistrust of politicians Polls show that a plurality of Americans distrust politicians. Clinton/Lewinsky Newt Gingrich and ethics violations Congressman James Traficant’s conviction on corruption charges

55. Political Culture and Views of Government 4. Voter apathy Are people confronted with too many choices? Is there enough information about candidates and issues? Do we lack real choices? Do we think our vote doesn’t matter? Are we just too busy?

56. Redefining our Expectations Politics involves conflict. Government can’t solve all problems. Frustration and dissatisfaction come with change. But the United States has survived through slavery and emancipation, wars and depressions, and terrorist attacks and our Constitution and system remain intact. Chances are we’ll adapt to changes yet to come as well.