1. Introducing Government in America
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy
Thirteenth AP* Edition
Edwards/Wattenberg/Lineberry
Chapter 1
Introducing Government in America
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Bellringer 2/1
Political knowledge
A. is greater among youth than the elderly
B. fosters political tolerance
C. is not that important in a democracy
D. is generally high in the US
E. none of the above
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Introduction
Politics and government matter.
Politics: The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what polices these leaders pursue.
Government: the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society
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Introduction
Americans are apathetic about politics and government.
American youth are not likely to be informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics.
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Introduction
Why are young people apathetic?
Vote doesn’t matter/count (political efficacy)
Time/interest
Lack of knowledge
Greater distractions/accessibility
Why does this matter?
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Government
Government is the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society.
This definition leads to two basic questions:
How should we govern?
Who holds power and influences policies?
Types of Government
What should government do?
How government works and what is does
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Government
Governments typically:
Maintain a national defense
Provide services
Public goods
Private
Collect taxes
Socialize the young
Preserve order
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Politics
Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they produce
politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.
Also consider who gets what, when and how.
Who: voters, candidates, groups, parties
What: substance of politics
How: voting, supporting, lobbying
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9. The Policymaking System
The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time
Figure 1.4
The six items are hyperlinked to their own slide. A return button is also on the slide.
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People
Interests
Problems
Concerns
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Linkage Institutions
Linkage institutions are the political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda.
Political Parties
Elections
News & Entertainment Media
Interest Groups
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Policy Agenda
The policy agenda are issues that attract the serious attention of public officials.
Political issues arise when people disagree about a problem and how to fix it.
Some issues will be considered, and others will not.
People's concerns
A government’s policy agenda changes regularly.
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13. Policymaking Institutions
Policymaking institutions are the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues.
Legislature (Congress)
Executive (President)
Courts (Federal and State)
Bureaucracies (Federal and State)
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14. Policies Impact People
Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue
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15. Policies Impact People
Impacts of Policies:
Does it solve the problem?
Does it create more problems?
Depending on the answer, policy impacts carry the political system back to its point of origin: the concerns of people.
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Democracy
Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Direct: (initiative and referendum)
Representative: relationship between the few leaders and the many followers
How did the founders feel about democracy?
Power in the people’s hands?
What type of government is America?
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Democracy
Components of Traditional Democratic Theory:
Equality in voting
Effective participation
Enlightened understanding
Citizen control of the agenda
Inclusion
Democracies must practice majority rule, however there are certain restraints.
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18. Bellringer 2/3
Which of the following is not one of the cornerstones of an ideal democracy?
A. enlightened understanding
B. effective participation
C. citizen control of the agenda
D. economic equality
E. equality in voting

19. Theories of U.S. Democracy
Theories of American democracy are theories about who has power and influence.
“Who really governs in our nations?”
Theories
Pluralist
Elite and class theory
Hyperpluralism
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20. How is political power distributed?
Theories of American democracy are theories about who has power and influence.
“Who really governs in our nations?”
Theories
Majoritarian politics
Concept where nearly everyone has a say in making a decision
Will of the majority; populist view
Elitist politics
Concept where decisions are made by groups with a disproportionate amount of political power

21. How is political power wielded?
When do majoritarian politics prevail?
Why?
When do elitist politics prevail?
Are there groups you feel have too much power?
Examples?
Is their authority legitimate?

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Elite and Class Theory
A theory of government and politics contending that societies are divided along class lines and that an upper-class elite will rule, regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization
Class: influenced by economic elites-those who control the economy, control the government.
Capitalists dominate the economy and therefore government
Elite: Tied to those in government making decisions based on political favors
Not all groups equal; Policies benefit those with money and power
Trailer
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Pluralist Theory
A theory of government and policies emphasizing that politics is mainly a competition among groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies
Policy is the outcome of political haggling, compromise, & shifting alliances among groups
Public interest will prevail through bargaining and compromise
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Hyperpluralism
A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened.
Groups control policy and prevent government from acting
Difficulty in coordinating policy implementation
Confusing and contradictory policies result from politicians trying to placate every group
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Bureaucratic Theory
Government power is in the hands of a small group of bureaucrats (civil servants) who translate law into policy.
Bureaucrats enforce policies according to their own guidelines.
Bureaucrats are hired for expertise but rarely fired for incompetence.
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Theories of Democracy
Pros and Cons of each theory…
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27. Challenges to Democracy
Increased Technical Expertise
Limited Participation in Government
Escalating Campaign Costs
Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)
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28. American Political Culture and Democracy
Political Culture: An overall set of values widely shared within a society.
American culture is diverse and comprised of:
Liberty
Egalitarianism
Individualism
Laissez-faire
Populism
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29. Questions About Democracy
People
Are people knowledgeable about policy?
Do they apply what the know when they vote?
Linkage institutions
Do interest groups help the process or get in the way?
Does the media help citizens understand?
Institutions
Is Congress a representative institution?
Does the president look after the general welfare?

30. Questions about the Scope of Government
Public and Linkage Institutions
Does the public favor a large, active government?
Do elections control the scope of government?
Does pressure from interest groups create a bigger government?
Elected institutions
Can the president control a large government?
Is Congress predisposed to support big government?
Nonelected institutions
Are the federal courts too active in policy making and intruding on the other branches
Is the bureaucracy constantly trying to expand its budget or is it simply reflecting the desires of elected officials?
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