1. Defining Government Theories of Government & Democracy

2. Government Definition: – The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for society. This definition leads to two basic questions: – How should we govern? – What should government do?

3. Politics Definition: – The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. Has a “distributive aspect” – Easton Lasswell – Politics: Who Gets What, When and How

4. Figure 1.3 The Policymaking System The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

5. People Interests Problems Concerns

6. Linkage Institutions Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups

7. Policy Agenda Political Issues – These are the “whats” that the various people want taken care of. Items at the top of the policy agenda are taken care of first. It may take years to get an item on the policy agenda, and then several more years to get it acted on.

8. Policymaking Institutions Legislature (Congress) Executive (President) Courts (Federal and State) Bureaucracies (Federal and State)

9. Policy Expenditures of money Raising or lowering taxes New laws or regulations Non-decisions (gridlock)

10. People Impacts of policies: Does it solve the problem? Does it create more problems?

11. Democracy Definition: – A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences. Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion

12. Theories of U.S. Democracy… 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. Groups will work together Public interest will prevail

13. Theories of U.S. Democracy… 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. Not all groups are equal Policies benefit those with money / power

14. Theories of U.S. Democracy… Hyperpluralism – A theory of government and politics contending that groups are so strong that government is weakened. Exaggerated / perverted form of pluralism Confusing / contradictory policies Gridlock- inability to act at all

15. Challenges to Democracy Increased Technical Expertise Limited Participation in Government Escalating Campaign Costs Diverse Political Interests