1. Political Forces of Change in Today’s World
Chapter 1
Political Forces of Change in Today’s World

2. What is Politics? A process that regulates conflict within a society
Three major conflicts:
People differ over their beliefs, either religious or personal.
People differ over the goals of society.
People differ over how the gov’t. spends its limited resources.
Harold Lasswell – “who gets what, when and how.”
Most definitions refer to the struggle over the distribution of benefits

3. What is government and why is it needed?
An institution, or permanent structures, of decision makers
who possess the power to enforce rules that impose order and stability on a society
Authority, Legitimacy, Power

4. Who Governs? Sources of Political Power: Totalitarian Regimes
Direct Democracies
Representative Democracies

5. Characteristics of American Democracy
Consent of the governed
Republican form of government
Limited government
Universal suffrage
Majority rule, but with the protections for minorities (Bill of Rights).

6. Theories of Democracy
Elite theory – the idea that society is ruled by a small group who exercise power in their self-interest
Pluralism – a theory that views politics as conflict among interest groups, where decisions are made through bargaining and compromise
Hyperpluralism – when interest groups are so powerful that they dominate decision-making, making individual input impossible

7. What is political culture?
The collection of a beliefs and attitudes toward government and the political process held by a community or nation
Individuals learn political culture through political socialization
Political socialization occurs in many settings, including the (#1) family and schools

8. Characteristics of American political culture
Liberty –the greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in society
Equality – all people are of equal worth
Property – anything that can be subject to ownership

9. The Changing Face of America

10. Ethnic Change in America

11. What is ideology?
A comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people, institutions and the role of government
American ideology tends to be moderate
Liberals advocate government action to improve the welfare of individuals
Conservatives advocate a limited role for the national government.

12. Political trends in ideology today:
Neo-conservatives
The Christian Right and Christian Coalition
American Family Association (1977)
Founder: Rev. Donald Wildom
Moral Majority (1979)
Founders: Rev. Jerry Falwell
Rev. Pat Robertson