1. Politics: Who Gets What, and How?
Chapter 1

2. After you’ve read this chapter, you will be able to:
Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

3. After you’ve read this chapter, you will be able to:
Explain the historical origins of American democracy
Describe the enduring tension in the United States between self-interested human nature and public spirited government
Apply the five steps of critical thinking to this book’s themes of power and citizenship in American politics
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

4. What’s at State…in a call to action
Mass movements, political demonstrations, etc.
Occupy Wall Street Movement
It Gets Better Project
Black Lives Matter
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

5. What is Politics?
Politics: who gets what, when, and how; a process of determining how power and resources are distributed in a society without recourse to violence
Politics arranges our lives into some kind of social order
Using the “who gets what, when, and how” definition above, can you come up with examples of politics on campus?
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

6. What is Politics?
Power: the ability to get others to do what you want.
The way power is managed must be legitimate or there will be violence
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

7. What is Politics? The tools of politics are:
Compromise and cooperation
Discussion and debate
Deal making
Horse trading
Bargaining
Story telling
& even bribery and deceit
What is key about the tools of politics?
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

8. Politics and Government
Government: a system or organization for exercising authority over a body of people
Authority: the power that people recognize as legitimate
What could happen if a government ceases to be regarded as legitimate?
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

9. Rules and Institutions
Rules and Institutions have an effect on how power is distributed…
Rules: directives that specify how resources will be distributed or what procedures govern collective activity
The “how” of who gets what, and how
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

10. Rules and Institutions, Cont.
Institutions: organizations in which government power is exercised
The “where” of the political struggle
What are some examples of both rules and institutions on campus?
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

11. Power and Information
The Political Narrative: the story that people believe about who has power, who wants power, who deserves power, what someone has done to get and maintain power
It’s a crucial resource
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

12. Power and Information, Cont.
Information Bubble: where all the information we receive reinforces what we already think and no new ideas get in to challenge what we think we know
What are some examples of citizens using communication resources to change and/or create their own narratives?
Learning objective #1: Describe the role politics plays in determining how power and resources, including control of information, are distributed in a society
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

13. Politics and Economics
Economics: the production and distribution of a society’s material resources and services
Both politics and economics focus on the distribution of society’s resources
Economics was meant to be private, whereas politics was meant to be public. Why do you think this distinction was made?
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

14. Capitalism
Capitalism: market determines production, distribution, and price decisions
Regulated capitalism has government procedural guarantees, whereas laissez-faire capitalism doesn’t
Do you believe that Americans truly understand capitalism? Do you? How would you explain it to someone else?
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

15. Capitalism, Cont.
Laissez-faire capitalism: an economic system in which the market makes all decisions and government plays no role
Regulated capitalism: a market system in which the government intervenes to protect rights and make procedural guarantees
Government assurance that the rules will work smoothly and treat everyone fairly, with no promise of particular outcomes
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

16. Socialism
Socialist economy: the state determines production, distribution, and price decisions; property is government owned
Few nations still claim allegiance to socialism
Substantive guarantees: government assurance or particular outcomes or results
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

17. Social Democracy
Social democracy: a hybrid system combining a capitalist economy and a government that supports equality
What are some examples of hybrid systems?
American politicians have become increasingly likely to accuse one another of being socialist. Can you think of recent examples of this? How accurate is this portrayal?
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

18. Social Democracy, Cont.
See NPR’s “Bernie Sanders Explains Democratic Socialism In 6 Clips”
“Eugene V. Debs Museum Explores History Of American Socialism”
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

19. Political Systems and the Concept of Citizenship
Competing ideas about power and the social order
Political systems can be divided into two types:
Those where the government has the power
Those where individuals exercise power
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

20. Authoritarian Systems
In authoritarian systems, the state holds all power, people cannot effectively claim rights again the state
It can take many forms:
Dictatorship or Monarchy: Sovereignty can be vested in an individual
Theocracy: Sovereignty can be vested in God
Fascism: Sovereignty can be vested in the state itself
Oligarchy: Sovereignty can be vested in a ruling class
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

21. Authoritarian Systems
When a system combines an authoritarian government with a socialist economy, the system is referred to as: Totalitarian
A totalitarian system exercises its power over every part of society
Example: Soviet Union
Authoritarian states may also limit their own power – its referred to as authoritarian capitalism
Example: Singapore
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

22. Non-Authoritarian Systems
Anarchy (the most extreme form): the absence of government and laws
Anarchy, apocalypse, and societal collapse have become popular subjects in pop culture in recent years. Can you think of examples, i.e. TV shows and movies? Why do you think we are fascinated by this topic?
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

23. Democracy
Democracy: government that vests power in the people; based on popular sovereignty
Popular sovereignty: the concept that the citizens are the ultimate source of political power
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

24. Types of Democracy
Elite democracy: limits the citizens’ role to choosing among competing leaders
Pluralist democracy: citizen membership in groups is the key to political power
Participatory democracy: citizens should actively and directly control all aspects of their lives and participate in all aspects of lawmaking
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

25. The Role of the People
In authoritarian systems, individuals are subjects of their state government:
They are obliged to submit to a government authority against which they have no rights
In democratic systems, individuals are citizens:
They are members of a political community having both rights and responsibilities
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

26. The Role of the People, Cont.
What are some examples of the rights that come with citizenship? The responsibilities?
Why do we differentiate between rights and responsibilities? How important is it that citizens both give and receive in a democracy?
Learning Objective #2: Compare different economic and political systems in terms of how power is distributed between citizens and government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

27. Origins of American Democracy
Ancient Greece ( BCE): Athenian democracy
“Rule by the people”
Defined narrowly – excluded women, slaves, youth, etc.
Learning Objective #3: Explain the historical origins of American democracy
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

28. Origins of American Democracy, Con’t.
Middle Ages ( AD): politics based largely on the divine right of kings (the principle that earthly rulers receive their authority from God)
The Protestant Reformation ( AD): claimed that individuals could pray directly to God and receive salvation on faith alone, without the church’s involvement
Age of Reason/Enlightenment ( AD): divine right discredited, notion that citizenship confers both rights and responsibilities emerged
Learning Objective #3: Explain the historical origins of American democracy
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

29. The Social Contract
John Locke ( ): legitimate government requires that people consent to it and if government breaks contract, people may form a new one
Thomas Hobbes ( ): government did not exist due to divine right; instead, people agree to be governed for their own protection
Learning Objective #3: Explain the historical origins of American democracy
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

30. The Social Contract
The foundation of government is reason, not faith
Social contract theory: society is based on an agreement between government and the governed in which people agree to give up some rights in exchange for the protection of others
Learning Objective #3: Explain the historical origins of American democracy
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

31. Citizenship in America
James Madison feared “pure democracy” because people may create “factions”
Factions: groups that might pursue only their self-interest
Instead, he preferred a republic
Republic: a government in which decisions are made through representatives of the people
Learning Objective #4: Describe the enduring tension in the United States between self-interested human nature and public spirited government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

32. Citizenship in America, Cont.
Madison did not trust average Americans to act beyond their own interests
His view contrasted with the idea of republican virtue: citizens can put interests of community ahead of their own
American citizenship today illustrates elements of both views
Learning Objective #4: Describe the enduring tension in the United States between self-interested human nature and public spirited government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

33. American Citizenship Today
Individualistic
Collectivistic
Human nature is to be self-interested, individual participation in government should be limited, and “too much” democracy is a bad thing
Faith in the citizen’s ability to act virtuously, not just for his or her own good but for the common good as well
Learning Objective #4: Describe the enduring tension in the United States between self-interested human nature and public spirited government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

34. American Citizenship Today, Cont.
Which view do you subscribe most closely to?
What are some examples of both views in politics, or in a particular stance on a political issue?
Do you think that certain areas of the country or certain demographics tend to subscribe to one over the other?
Learning Objective #4: Describe the enduring tension in the United States between self-interested human nature and public spirited government
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

35. Thinking Critically About American Politics
Think critically about American politics: analyze and evaluate ideas and arguments based on reason and evidence
Analysis: understanding how something works by breaking it down into its component parts; see how it works
Evaluation: assessing how well something works or performs according to a particular standard or yardstick
Learning Objective #5: Apply the five steps of critical thinking to this book’s themes of power and citizenship in American politics
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.

36. Thinking Critically About American Politics, Cont.
Citizenship and power
Analyze American politics by asking three questions:
Who are the parties involved?
What do they have at stake?
How do the rules shape the outcome?
Evaluate politics
Learning Objective #5: Apply the five steps of critical thinking to this book’s themes of power and citizenship in American politics
C. Barbour, G. Wright, Keeping the Republic: Power and Citizenship American Politics. SAGE Publishing, 2018.