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Agenda Announcements: – HW: CE #1 due, Ch. 2 Rdg., Const. Scav. Hunt Colbert Clip Current Event G.R.R. Individual/Group Work Notes Analyzing Locke/D.O.I (Locke Article?) Finish Notes Defining America’s Core Values
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States’ Voter I.D. Requirements pre-Shelby Co. v. Holder Daily Show Discusses "R-Word" in America CBS News: N.C. Proposed Voting Laws Interactive Voting Rights Map
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Foundations of Government “There has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free.” Thomas Jefferson
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Government & Our Lives How does government impact your life? Why participate? – Those who participate in the political process are more likely to benefit from government programs & policies…Why? – For Your Own Good
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Activity: Step 1 Define the following terms…in your own words: – Democracy – Government – Politics – Political Power – Policy Agenda – Policy – Linkage Institution
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Activity: Step 2 Form a small group of 2-3 people and refine definitions. Come up with the best possible meaning for each term.
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What is Democracy? Democracy: Govt. in which supreme power is vested in the people… – Means of organizing govt so policy represents & responds to the public’s preferences Founders distrust of democracy led to – Indirect Democracy: People elect representatives to rule in their interest – Why?
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Political Cartoon Founders Distrust of Democracy
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What is Government? Govt: The institutions & processes thru which public policies are made for society How should we govern? What should government do? – Maintain National Defense – Provide Public Services Public Goods: Services that everyone shares; can’t be denied (use of highways, clean air & water) – Preserve Order – Collect Taxes
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What is Politics? Politics: process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. – Who gets what, when, where, & why Political Participation in U.S. – U.S. one of lowest voter participation rates in World Why? – How can you participate? – U.S. voters: distorted sample…who makes up the voting bloc? Elderly, Strong Party Affiliation, High SES
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U.S. Voter Participation Rates How does the U.S. stack up against other democracies?
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What Is Policy? Political Power: – power used to determine who will hold office and how the govt will behave. Policy: What Government Does… – Government + Politics = Policy Policy Agenda: – Issues that attract the attention of public officials Linkage Institution – Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, & Media… connect people to government/policy makers Policymaking Institutions?: – Legislature, Executive, Courts, & Bureaucracy
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Roots of American Government Influences: – Greeks: Idea of direct democracy with many people involved. The polis. – Enlightenment-the idea that government should rely on the consent of the people New Concepts: Social compacts about self-govt New Concept: People have natural rights
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Roots of American Government Historical Documents – Magna Carta (1215): Estbl. idea that the power of the monarch is not absolute and there are fundamental rights held by everyone. – Mayflower Compact (1620): Idea of colonial self- government – Petition of Rights (1628): challenged the idea of divine right and said the monarch had to obey the laws of the land. – English Bill of Rights (1688): William and Mary of Orange signed this and made representative govt. supreme
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Roots of American Government Hobbes & Locke – Hobbes People naturally fight so need govt for protection (stability) Social Contract – Locke: Govt’s purpose is to reserve and protect people’s inalienable rights/property Separation of Powers – Montesquieu: Separation of Powers
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Locke & U.S. Government Influence on Govt. – Govt. w/ consent of people – 3 fn. of govt.—laws, settle disputes, execute laws (sep. of powers) – Limited Government – Supreme power in the legislator Influence on D.O.I – Govt. w/ consent of people – Natural Rights – Right to overthrow unjust/despotic governments
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Jefferson & D.O.I What’s Jefferson’s goal in listing abuses by King George (& Parliament)? Abuses – 1-12: King George’s Estbl. of Tyrannical Rule in Place of Representative Govt. – 13-22: Involvement of Parliament in Destroying Self Rule (“King combined w/ others to…” – 23-27: Specific Actions King George Took to Abandon Colonies/Wage War
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Who Governs: Theories Elite Theory: A small # of rich, powerful people make the decisions; thus, it’s rarely responsive to the will of the people. – There is an identifiable group with a disproportionate share of power. Elite = powerful.. Pluralism: So many groups vying for resources, it’s impossible for any one group to win…thus, there is compromise. More than one interest supports a decision/action. Hyperpluralism: Too many groups to make any form of compromise → political gridlock.
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Responsibilities of Government Guarantees by National Government to States – Why? – A representative, republican form of govt. – Protect against invasion and domestic violence – Respect the boundaries – Admit new states-Manifest Destiny
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Responsibilities of Government Clauses Establishing Federal Government Full Faith & Credit Clause: – Each State has to honor the civil rulings and laws from other states; doesn’t apply to criminal matters. Supremacy Clause: – Sets up the hierarchy w/ the U.S. Constitution at the top. Necessary & Proper Clause: – Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all other powers vested by Constitution in the government.
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