1. Over View for the Day Government Politics The Policymaking System
Democracy
The Scope of Government in America
Summary

2. Government Government makes public policies made for society.
Lecture Outline
Government consists of those institutions that make authoritative public policies for society as a whole.
Four key institutions make policy at the national level: Congress, president, the courts, and the federal administrative agencies (bureaucracy).
This chapter raises two fundamental questions about governing that will serve as themes for the text.
How should we govern?
What should government do?
Regardless of how they assumed power, all governments have certain functions in common.
Governments maintain national defense.
Governments provide public goods—things that everyone can share, such as clean air.
Governments have police powers to provide order—as when Chinese security forces crushed the student protest in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and when the National Guard was called in to restore order in Los Angeles after the 1992 Rodney King verdict.
Governments socialize the young into the political culture—typically through practices such as reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in daily exercises at public schools.
Governments collect taxes to pay for the services they provide.
Government makes public policies made for society.
4 Key institutions make policy at the national level…
Congress, President, the Courts and the federal administrative
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3. Governments must perform five basic functions.
Regardless of how governments assumed power, all governments have certain functions in common
Governments must perform five basic functions.
Maintain a national defense.
Provide public services.
Preserve order.
Socialize the young.
Collect taxes.

4. Politics
Lecture Outline
Politics determines whom we select as governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.
Harold D. Lasswell defined politics as “who gets what, when, and how.”
Political participation refers to the ways in which people get involved in politics.
Single-issue groups are interest groups whose members will vote on a single issue, such as pro-life and pro-choice groups that ignore a politician’s stand on everything except abortion.
Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.
Harold Lasswell defines politics as the struggle over who gets what, when, and how.
The who of politics is the voters, candidates, parties, and groups
The what is the benefits and burdens of government
The how is the various ways in which people participate in politics.
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5. Political Participation Refers to the ways in which people get involved
Single-issue groups are interest group whose member will vote on a single issue, such as pro-life and pro-choice

6. The Policymaking System
Lecture Outline
A policymaking system is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.
The Policymaking System
Policymaking system Is the process by which policy comes into being and evolves overtime
People Shape Policy
Policies Impact People
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7. LO 1.3
Figure 1.4 The Policymaking System
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8. The Policymaking System
LO 1.3
Lecture Outline
In a democratic society, parties, elections, interest groups, and the media are key linkage institutions between the preferences of citizens and the government’s policy agenda.
When people confront government officials with problems they expect them to solve, they are trying to influence the government’s policy agenda.
A political issue arises when people disagree about a problem or about a public policy choice.
People Shape Policy
People have interests, problems, and concerns.
In a democratic society, parties, election, interest groups and media are key linkage institutions between government’s policy agenda and the people
The four linkage institutions are political parties, elections, mass media, and interest groups.
People expect government officials to solve problems… this in turn influences the government’s policy agenda
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9. The Policymaking System
LO 1.3
Lecture Outline
The end product of government and politics is public policy.
Policymakers stand at the core of the political system, working within the three policymaking institutions established by the U.S. Constitution: the Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
People Shape Policy (cont.)
Policy agenda is the issues that attract the serious attention of public officials.
The four policymaking institutions are the legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch, and the bureaucracy.
The end product of government politics is public policy
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10. The Policymaking System
LO 1.3
Lecture Outline
Policy impacts are the effects policy has on people and on society’s problems.
There are many types of public policies, including congressional statutes, presidential actions, court decisions, budgetary choices and regulation.
Having a policy implies a goal: people who raise a policy issue usually want a policy that works.
Translating people’s desires into public policy is crucial to the workings of democracy.
Policies can be established through inaction as well as action.
Policies Impact People
Public policy is a choice that government makes in response to a political issue.
Many types of public policies statues, presidential actions, court decisions, budgetary choice and regulation
Policy impacts are the effects a policy has on people and problems.
Translating people's desires into public policy is crucial to the workings of democracy
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11. LO 1.3
Table 1.1 Types of Public Policies
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12. Democracy Traditional Democratic Theory
Lecture Outline
Democracy is a means of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Traditional Democratic Theory
Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy
Challenges to Democracy
American Political Culture and Democracy
A Culture War?
Preview Questions about Democracy
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13. Democracy Traditional Democratic Theory Democracy
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Traditional democratic theory rests upon several principles that specify how a democratic government makes its decisions.
Democratic theorist Robert Dahl refers to five criteria that are essential for “an ideal democratic process”:
Equality in voting—the principle of “one person, one vote” is basic to democracy.
Effective participation—political participation must be representative.
Enlightened understanding—free press and free speech are essential to civic understanding.
Citizen control of the agenda—citizens should have the collective right to control the government’s policy agenda.
Inclusion—citizenship must be open to all within a nation.
In addition, democracies must practice majority rule and preserve minority rights.
The relationship between the few leaders and the many followers is one of representation: the closer the correspondence between representatives and their electoral majority, the closer the approximation to democracy. Most Americans also feel that it is vital to protect minority rights, such as freedom of speech.
Traditional Democratic Theory
Rests upon several principles that specify how a democratic government makes its decisions
Democracy
is a system in which policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Five components of Traditional Democratic Theory are equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion.
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14. Democracy Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Pluralist theory contends that many centers of influence compete for power and control.
Groups compete with one another for control over public policy, with no one group or set of groups dominating.
There are multiple access points to our government, with power dispersed among the various branches and levels of government.
Bargaining and compromise are essential ingredients of our democracy.
Electoral majorities rarely rule; rather, as Dahl puts it, “all active and legitimate groups in the population can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the [policymaking] process.”
The recent increase in interest group activity is cited by pluralists as evidence of pluralism.
Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy
Pluralist Theory
Is a theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.
Aka Groups compete with one another for control over public policy, with no one group or set of groups dominating.
Bargaining and compromise are essential ingredients of our democracy.
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15. Democracy Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Elite and class theory contends that our society (like all societies) is divided along class lines.
An upper-class elite rules, regardless of governmental organization.
Wealth is the basis of class power: a few powerful Americans are the policymakers.
Big business and its power is at the center of most elite and class theories.
Some observers argue that elitism is increasing in recent times.
Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)
Elite and Class Theory
Contends that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule.
Big Business and it power is a the center of most elite and class theories
Policies benefit those with money and power.
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16. Democracy Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Hyperpluralism is pluralism gone sour.
Many groups are so strong that government is unable to act.
There are too many groups with access to the different levels and branches of government: these groups have multiple ways to both prevent policies they disagree with and promote those they support.
When politicians try to placate every group, the result is confusing, contradictory, and muddled policy (or no policy at all).
Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)
Hyperpluralism (pluralism gone sour)
Is a theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. ( too many groups)
Confusing and contradictory policies result from politicians trying to please every group.
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17. Democracy Challenges to Democracy
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
How can average citizens make decisions about complex issues?
What if citizens know little about their leaders and policy decisions?
Is American democracy too dependent on money?
Does American diversity produce governmental gridlock?
Challenges to Democracy
Increased complexity of issues make it harder for citizens to make decisions.
Limited participation in government, especially voting.
Escalating campaign costs stop people from running for office.
Diverse political interests result into policy gridlock.
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18. Democracy American Political Culture and Democracy
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Political culture is key to understanding American government.
America is unified by ideology and political culture—which is unusual compared to most countries with strong nationalistic characteristics and a longer history.
Five elements of political culture shape American democracy.
Liberty: Liberty is one of Jefferson’s inalienable rights and a cornerstone of the Bill of Rights.
Egalitarianism: Equality of opportunity, especially social equality, has promoted increasing political equality.
Individualism: American individualism developed in part from the western frontier and the immigrants’ flight from government oppression.
Laissez-faire economics: The American government taxes and regulates less than most countries at its equivalent level of development.
Populism: The common, ordinary citizens are idealized in American politics, and both liberals and conservatives claim to be their protectors.
American Political Culture and Democracy
Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a society.
Five elements of American political culture are liberty, egalitarianism, individualism, laissez-faire, and populism.
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19. Five elements of political culture shape American democracy.
Liberty: Inalienable rights and a cornerstone of the Bill of Rights
Laissez-faire economics: The American government taxes and regulates less than most countries at its equivalent level of development.
Egalitarianism: Equality of opportunity, especially social equality.
Populism: The common, ordinary citizens are idealized in American politics.
Individualism: American individualism developed in part from the western frontier and the immigrants’flight from government oppression.

20. Democracy Preview Questions about Democracy
LO 1.4
Lecture Outline
Are people knowledgeable about matters of public policy?
Do they apply what knowledge they have to their voting choices?
Are American elections designed to facilitate public participation?
Does the interest group system allow for all points of view to be heard, or do significant biases give advantages to particular groups?
Do political parties provide voters with clear choices, or do they intentionally obscure their stands on issues in order to get as many votes as possible?
If there are choices, do the media help citizens understand them?
Is the Congress representative of American society, and is it capable of reacting to changing times?
Does the president look after the general welfare of the public, or has the office become too focused on the interests of the elite?
Preview Questions about Democracy
Are people knowledgeable about matters of public policy?
If there are choices, do the media help citizens understand them?
Is Congress representative of American society, and is it capable of reacting to changing times?
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21. The Scope of Government in America
LO 1.5
The Scope of Government in America
Lecture Outline
National, state, and local governments in America collectively spend 29 percent of our gross domestic product (the value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States).
How Active Is American Government?
Spends $3.8 trillion yearly.
Employs 2.8 million civilians and 1.4 million in the military.
It owns one-third of the land in the United States.
It occupies 2.6 billion square feet of office space.
National, state, and local governments in America collectively spend 29 percent of our gross domestic product (the value of all goods and services produced annually by the United States).
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22. LO 1.1 Summary
Are the federal courts too active in policymaking, intruding on the authority and responsibility of other branches and levels of government?
Is the bureaucracy too acquisitive, constantly seeking to expand its budgets and authority, or does it simply reflect the desires of elected officials?
Is the bureaucracy too large and thus a wasteful menace to efficient and fair implementation of public policies?
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LO 1.1: Describe the key functions of government and explain why they matter.
Describe the key functions of government and explain why they matter.
All governments include maintaining a national defense, providing public services, preserving order, socializing the young, and collecting taxes.
These functions matter because they impact our lives.
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23. Which of the following is an example of a public good?
D. National defense (L.O. 1.1)
College education
Automobile insurance
Home ownership
National defense
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24. Which of the following is an example of a public good?
D. National defense (L.O. 1.1)
College education
Automobile insurance
Home ownership
National defense
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25. LO 1.2 Summary Define the various aspects of politics.
LO 1.2: Define the various aspects of politics.
Define the various aspects of politics.
Politics determines who our leaders are and what policies they pursue.
The who of politics is the voters, candidates, parties, and groups; the what is the benefits and burdens of government; the how is the various ways in which people participate in politics.
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26. LO 1.2
Politics determines who we select as our governmental leaders and policies these leaders pursue.
Politics determines who we select as our governmental leaders and policies these leaders pursue.
B. what (L.O. 1.2)
who
what
when
how
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27. LO 1.2
Politics determines who we select as our governmental leaders and policies these leaders pursue.
Politics determines who we select as our governmental leaders and policies these leaders pursue.
B. what (L.O. 1.2)
who
what
when
how
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28. LO 1.3 Summary
LO 1.3: Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people.
Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people.
Citizens’ interests and concerns are transmitted through linkage institutions to the policy agenda of the policymaking institutions.
The policies that are made then influence peoples’ lives.
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29. All of the following are considered linkage institutions EXCEPT
D. courts (L.O. 1.3)
the media.
interest groups.
political parties.
courts.
elections.
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30. All of the following are considered linkage institutions EXCEPT
D. courts (L.O. 1.3)
the media.
interest groups.
political parties.
courts.
elections.
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31. LO 1.4 Summary
LO 1.4: List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
Key principles of democracy are equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion.
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32. LO 1.4 Summary
LO 1.4: List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
The theories regarding how democracy works in practice are the pluralist theory, elitist and class theory, and hyperpluralist theory.
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33. LO 1.4 Summary
LO 1.4: List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.
Challenges democracy faces today are complexity of issues today, citizens’ limited participation, escalating campaign costs, and the policy gridlock resulting from diverse political interests.
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34. effective participation. enlightened understanding. majority rule.
According to Robert Dahl’s traditional democratic theory, an ideal democratic process should satisfy all of the following criteria EXCEPT
LO 1.4
According to Robert Dahl’s traditional democratic theory, an ideal democratic process should satisfy all of the following criteria EXCEPT .
D. majority rule. (L.O. 1.4)
equality in voting.
effective participation.
enlightened understanding.
majority rule.
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35. effective participation. enlightened understanding. majority rule.
LO 1.4
According to Robert Dahl’s traditional democratic theory, an ideal democratic process should satisfy all of the following criteria EXCEPT
According to Robert Dahl’s traditional democratic theory, an ideal democratic process should satisfy all of the following criteria EXCEPT .
D. majority rule. (L.O. 1.4)
equality in voting.
effective participation.
enlightened understanding.
majority rule.
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36. LO 1.5 Summary
LO 1.5: Explain the debate in America over the proper scope of government.
Explain the debate in America over the proper scope of government.
Politicians debate if the scope of government responsibilities is too vast, just about right, or not comprehensive enough.
This debate concerns whether the goals that are agreed to be important are best achieved through government action or rather through means other than government.
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