2. Introduction: Government by the People
The Mayflower Compact was a governing document created and signed by the free men who sailed on the Mayflower providing for self-government in Plymouth Colony. It is a precursor of the U.S. Constitution.
John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825–1829, reflected that the signing was “perhaps the only instance in human history, of that positive, original social compact, which speculative philosophers have imagined as the only legitimate source of government. Here was a unanimous and personal assent by all the individuals in a community, to the association by which they became a nation.”

3. The Idea of America Intro Individualism Popular Sovereignty
This course is about the experiment in self-government launched more than two centuries ago with the U.S. Constitution. We will examine the historical context and current practices of the institutions and political processes of American government. Our textbook focuses on the role played by the people in their government.
In many respects, the early experience of the Pilgrims mirrors a set of enduring elements that form what we might call the idea of America. These elements include:
• individualism,
• a desire for self-government,
• the pursuit of opportunity,
• and a commitment to equality of opportunity, to freedom of religion, and the importance of economic liberty.
Individualism
Popular Sovereignty
Equality of Opportunity
Freedom of Religion
Economic Liberty

4. Individualism Intro Philosophy of individual rights
Individualism emphasizes the importance of individual rights, worth, freedom, and well-being. The idea of individualism is central to democracy. Each person has one vote. Individualism is central to economic liberty, because individuals may own property.
In the United States, individual economic freedoms are protected, as are political freedoms. The rhetoric of contemporary political campaigns and the arguments politicians make often center on the value of individualism.
Philosophy of individual rights
Moral, ethical basis
Central to democracy
Individual has vote
Individual owns property
Individual has rights and liberties

5. Popular Sovereignty Intro Political authority rests with the people
The Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution illustrate the American view of politics. The ultimate political authority rests with the people and that only the people can legitimately create, alter, or abolish governments.
Popular sovereignty is a political extension of individualism. The notion that individuals have rights, including political and economic rights, supports popular sovereignty.
As we will discuss further in this course, government by the people is both a right and a responsibility.
Political authority rests with the people
Legitimacy based on consent of governed
The governed create, alter, and abolish governments
Political extension of individualism
Both a right and a responsibility

6. Equality of Opportunity
Intro
Equality of Opportunity
In the United States, which core value is more important to us, liberty or equality?
(Ask students to offer their ideas before revealing the answer.)
Liberty is much more important to Americans. Equality means different things to different people, and our notions of equality are changing all the time. We care much more for liberty, which is expressed in the value of equality of opportunity.
Equality of opportunity means that all individuals regardless of race, gender, or circumstance have the same opportunity to participate in politics, self-government, and the economy. Have we achieved that objective?
Liberty or equality?
Notions of equality vary
Objective for Americans is equality of opportunity

7. Freedom of Religion Intro Colonists sought religious freedom
Because some of the colonists who settled on the land that became the United States immigrated seeking religious freedom, this right has been important throughout American history. They belonged to many different religious sects and some were fleeing a state church in which membership was obligatory.
The Framers understood the importance of freedom of conscience and freedom of worship to a free society. Central to the view of the Framers was the importance of a separation of church and state. The Constitution requires, in part, that there be no religious test for public office and that there be no national church.
Colonists sought religious freedom
Belonged to many different sects
Freedom of conscious critical to a free society
No state church
No religious tests for public office

8. Economic Liberty Intro Economic application of individualism
Now let’s turn to economic liberty, which is the economic application of the idea of individualism.
A driving force for much of the immigration to the United States from the Mayflower Pilgrims to the present day has been the pursuit of economic opportunity. Pilgrims and those who followed believed that, in this new world with its abundant natural resources and no feudal system restricting land ownership, individuals could shape their own destinies. Known as the myth of the “American Dream,” this belief persists today.
Critical to economic liberty was limited government regulation of the economy. In the modern world, government plays a larger role in economic affairs, but the idea that individuals are free to pursue their own self-interests and be rewarded for their innovations remains central.
Economic application of individualism
Myth of the “American Dream”
Abundant natural resources
Government should have limited power to regulate the economy
Plays much larger role today

9. Distinctive Constitutional Democracy
Intro
Distinctive Constitutional Democracy
Before moving ahead, we need to define some of the basic terms we will use throughout this course. Government refers to the procedures and institutions, such as elections, courts, and legislatures, by which a people govern and rule themselves.
Politics is the process by which people decide who shall govern and what policies shall be adopted. Such processes invariably require discussions, debates, and compromises about tactics and goals.
Politicians are the people who fulfill the tasks of overseeing and directing a government. Some politicians come to office through election. Nonelected politicians may be political party officials or aides, advisers, or consultants to elected officials.
Political science is the academic study of the principles, procedures, and structures of government. It is also the analysis of political ideas, institutions, behaviors, and practices.
A social contract is an agreement whereby individuals voluntarily commit to establish a government that will protect the common interests of all.
An understanding of history is important to putting government and politics in context. As we will learn, the framers of the U.S. Constitution were well-versed in political philosophy and the structures of successful and failed governments from ancient times.
Basic terms
Government
Politics
Politicians
Political science
Social contract
American government today

10. Intro
James Madison
James Madison can be thought of as the architect of the Constitution. He was its principal author and one of its strongest supporters as a contributing author of the Federalist Papers. Madison, in commenting on human nature and government, famously said, “If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary.”
In other words, human nature as Madison understood it required some type of government to regulate citizens’ behavior and some type of control over that government to regulate politicians’ behavior, as well.

11. American Government Today
Intro
American Government Today
We have just seen why it is important for the people to have a say in government to prevent encroachment on rights and liberties. We also depend upon government for protection from foreign invasions, natural disasters, disease epidemics and other threats. We expect it to provide education and information and to efficiently ensure public health and safety.
For a people who have a fear and distrust of government, we expect an awful lot from our government. This course will explore that seeming contradiction.
Government and politics matter
Economy
Education
Public health
Natural disasters
Reliance on government
Safety
Security
Accurate information

12. Government Of, By, and For the People
Intro
Government Of, By, and For the People
Your textbook contains special features entitled Of, By, and For the People, which are intended to help you understand how the theory of self-government is put into practice and see the important role that you play as a citizen in this country’s present and future.
The idea that government shall be “of the people” has been central to the legitimacy of American government since its founding but the meaning of that phrase has changed over time, as we shall see in these special features.
The meaning of the phrase “by the people” has also changed dramatically as the franchise has expanded and citizens have found more ways to make a difference through involvement in government.
Since government exists “for the people,” what is good for the people should guide the government’s aims. But how these lofty aims get translated into policies is a challenge that endures and will be part of your experience as a citizen.
Although the subject of this course is government and politics in the United States of America, the country does not exist in a vacuum. It is part of a larger global community and there are important lessons to be learned from how other societies are governed. Given our emphasis on the role of people in government, each chapter of your textbook also includes a comparison of how people in different countries and cultures view the same question or challenge through the feature The Global Community.
The study of government and politics should invite you to critically evaluate the subject. To assist you with this critical learning, there is a box in each chapter called You Will Decide. This feature asks a question that you as a citizen will decide. There is no right or wrong answer—what is important is that you have considered multiple ways to answer the question.
Special Features
Of the People: Diversity in America
By the People: Making a Difference
For the People: What Government Can Do
Global Community
You Will Decide

13. Learning Objectives Intro What are learning objectives?
Learning objectives highlight important concepts, skills, motivation, and knowledge you should have acquired by the end of the course. They include understanding the historical foundations and development of American government, being able to identify and discuss the governmental and political institutions, and being able to think critically and analytically about important issues.
Chapter learning objectives appear in each section of each numbered chapter in your textbook. These are the specific concepts you should understand after studying each chapter. For example, in the chapter on the Constitution, you’ll see the objectives include such goals as being able to describe the basic structure of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, analyzing how the Constitution limits and separates power between the branches, and explaining how we make changes to the Constitution.
The learning objectives can help guide you in your reading and studying of the course material, but asking your own questions as you read will also help you understand and apply the material.
What are learning objectives?
Chapter learning objectives
Ask your own questions, too

14. Discussion Question Intro What are the central themes around which
your textbook is organized? What should you
have learned by the completion of this course?