1. The Political Landscape
Chapter 1
The Political Landscape
American Government: Continuity and Change
9th Edition
(to accompany Comprehensive, Alternate, Texas, and Essentials Editions)
O’Connor and Sabato
Pearson Education, Inc. © 2008

3. Government: What It Is & Why We Need It
Governments
The formal vehicle through which policies are made and affairs of state are conducted
Actions are binding on its citizens
Citizens
Members of the political community
Rights and obligations attached to them
Politics
Study of who gets what, when, and how
How policy decisions are made

4. Functions of Government
Establishing Justice
Ensuring Domestic Tranquility
Providing for the Common Defense
Promoting the General Welfare
Securing the Blessings of Liberty

5. Types of Government Monarchy Totalitarianism Oligarchy Democracy
Power vested in hereditary kings and queens
Totalitarianism
Economic system in which government controls the economy
Oligarchy
Form of government in which the right to participate is conditioned on the possession of wealth, social status, military position, or achievement
Democracy
System of government that gives power to the people, whether directly or through elected representatives

7. Roots of American Government
The Reformation and the Enlightenment
Enlightenment: Philosophers and scientists such as Sir Isaac Newton questioned fate and divine right of kings.
Reformation: Radical Protestants split from the Church of England.
Protestants and Puritans believed in the ability to speak directly to God.
Pilgrims: established self-governing congregations
Mayflower Compact- a social contract
An agreement between people and their government, signifying consent to be governed

8. Hobbes, Locke, and a Social Contract Theory of Government
Argued that individuals were free and equal by God-given natural right
This required that all men and women give their consent to be governed.
Hobbes argued that man’s natural state was war and without government life would be “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short”; a struggle to survive. Therefore, there is a need for a single, strong ruler to guarantee the rights of the weak against the strong.
Locke took the basic survival of humanity for granted.
Government is necessary to preserve private property.
Denied divine right
Individuals born equal and with natural rights no king had the right to void

9. Devising a National Government in the American Colonies
Colonists rejected system with strong ruler
Supported more participatory forms
Direct democracy
Members of the polity meet to discuss all policy decisions and then agree to abide by majority rule.
Indirect democracy (representative)
Gives citizens the opportunity to vote for representations who will work on their behalf
Republic
Rooted in the consent of the governed; representative or indirect democracy

10. American Political Culture & the Characteristics of American Democracy
Commonly shared attitudes, beliefs, and core values about how government should operate
American political culture emphasizes:
Personal Liberty
Equality
Popular Consent
The idea that governments must draw their powers from the consent of the governed
Majority Rule
Central premise of direct democracy in which only policies that collectively garner the support of a majority of voters will be made into law
Popular Sovereignty
Right of the majority to govern themselves based on natural law (ethical principles that are part of nature and understood by reason)

11. American Political Culture
Civil Society
A society created when citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in open debate about public policy.
Individualism
Important political value
Concept changed over time
Religious Faith
Lens through which many Americans perceive policy and political issues
Most Americans have strong religious beliefs.
Overwhelmingly Christian
Major role in shaping current political agenda

12. Changing Characteristics of the American People
Size and Population
Growth both in size and population
Changing Demographics
Racial and Ethic Composition
Immigration has changed the nation.
Racial balance is changing dramatically today.
Proportion of Hispanics growing at the quickest rate
40% of Americans under the age of 25 are members of a minority group.

15. Changing Characteristics of the American People
Changes in Age Cohort Composition
No longer nation of young
Average life expectancy: women: 80, men: 75
Types of services and policies demanded from government change
Baby Boomers (born in late 1940s-early 60s)
76.8 million people
Will reach age 62 and qualify for Social Security in 2011 and at age 65 qualify for Medicare
Potential political impact? Will pit young against old.

17. Changing Characteristics of the American People
Changes in Family and Family Size
Large families were the norm and gender roles were clearly defined.
Industrialization and knowledge of birth control methods began to shrink family size.
% said 4 or more children was an ideal family size
2004-only 12% favored large families
By 2004, 67.8 percent of children under 18 lived with both parents.

18. Implications of These Changes
Debate over illegal immigration
History of debate on immigration
Demographic changes led to us vs. them mentality for some

19. Ideology of the American Public
Political Ideology
A set or system of beliefs that shapes the thinking of individual and how they view the world
Perform four key functions:
Explanation, Evaluation, Orientation, Political Program
Libertarian
Favors a free market economy and no governmental interference in personal liberties
Conservative
A government is best that governs least; a big government can only infringe on individual, personal, and economic rights.
Social conservative
Believes that traditional moral teachings should be supported and furthered by the government

22. Ideology of the American Public
Liberal
Favors extensive governmental involvement in the economy and the provision of social services; takes an activist role in protecting rights of women, elderly, minorities, and the environment
Problems with Political Labels
May not predict political opinions
Often opinions are mixed; conservative on some issues, liberal on others
Cut across ideological boundaries
Most people prefer to be categorized as moderates.

26. Current Attitudes Toward American Government
Americans’ views about and expectations of government affect the political system.
High expectations
Do not appreciate the good
Mistrust politicians
Voter apathy
Redefining our Expectations

27. Trust in Government