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Chapter 1

Chapter 1. The Political Landscape. “We the people…” (1787). White Land-owning Over 25 Male. “We the people” (2013). What is a government?. Made up of institutions and individuals Makes and enforces policies Conduct affairs of state Uses force if needed to keep order.

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 The Political Landscape

  2. “We the people…” (1787) • White • Land-owning • Over 25 • Male

  3. “We the people” (2013)

  4. What is a government? • Made up of institutions and individuals • Makes and enforces policies • Conduct affairs of state • Uses force if needed to keep order

  5. What is a government? Authoritarian Regime… …has a government that rules over subjects who have no rights. Democratic State… • …has a government elected by citizens who have rights and responsibilities.

  6. Citizens belong to democratic communities… • Citizenship comes from: • Place of birth • Naturalization • Citizenship by blood

  7. Citizens have… Responsibilities Obey the laws Vote Pay taxes Submit to military service Subjects have the responsibility to do what they are told. Rights • Rights and freedoms are crucial to a democratic society • “Subjects” live under the rule of the few or the one, have no rights or responsibilities

  8. Politics is…. “… the study of who gets what, when, where, and how.”

  9. Functions of Government • Establish Justice • Ensure Domestic Tranquility • Provide for the Common Defense • Promote the General Welfare • Secure the Blessings of Liberty

  10. Types of Government • Monarchy • Rule of one in the interest of all • Aristocracy • Rule of the few for the benefit of the many • Tyranny • Rule of a single person to benefit only themselves • Oligarchy • Rule of a few to benefit only the ruling group • Polity • Rule of the many for the public good • Democracy • Rule of the many in their individual interests

  11. Roots of American Government: The Protestant Reformation

  12. The Social Contract • People must give their consent to be governed • One basis of democracy

  13. Social Contract Theory John Locke Men form government to preserve property and justice. People have the right to revolt if government has broken the contract. Thomas Hobbes • Man’s basic state is war. • Strong government is necessary to restrain man.

  14. A Republic • Direct Democracy • “Mob rule” • Practiced in “town hall” meetings in New England • Representative Democracy • Through elected assemblies (House of Burgesses, Virginia 1619)

  15. Seven Attributes of American Democracy • Personal Liberty • Equality • Popular Consent and Majority Rule • Popular Sovereignty • Individualism • Civil Society • Religious Faith

  16. Personal Liberty Freedom To Use Public Transportation Go to Work Go to School (a.k.a. Civil Rights) Freedom From • Government interference • Infringements on speech, religion • Unreasonable searches and seizures (a.k.a Civil Liberties)

  17. Equality • Political Equality: One person, one vote • Does it really exist? Or is it an ideal we fall short of? Place of Residence Money Race Representation Orientation

  18. Popular Consent and Majority Rule • Popular Consent: Governments must draw their consent from the consent of the governed. (John Locke, Social Contract Theory) • What does it mean when people do not vote? • Majority Rule: The majority (50% plus 1) decides elections and policies. • How are minorities protected? Why should we protect them? • Popular Sovereignty: The ultimate authority in society rests with the people. • Natural Law: Society should be based upon ethical principals that are part of nature and can be understood by reason.

  19. Individualism • The primary function of government is to help individuals reach their highest level of development. • Individuals are able to fail. • Many Western democracies favor a more group-centered approach. • Some individuals struggle to live independently of others – create a demand for government services.

  20. Civil Society • “Society created when citizens are allowed to organize and express their views publicly as they engage in an open debate about public policy.” • Citizenship in a democracy requires education and effort! • People who have not lived in democratic society – who have grown up under authoritarian regimes – often do not have the skills or experience to participate in their own government.

  21. Religious Faith • Religion plays an important role in American public policy. • Elected officials declare their faith, defend their faith, act to reassure voters that they share their faith. • The United States is the most churchgoing nation on Earth. • 69% of Americans agree that the President should have “strong religious beliefs” (2007). • America is overwhelmingly Christian. Evangelicals play an important role in political life. • Social policy issues are heavily influenced by religious faith: contraception, abortion, gay rights, stem cell research.

  22. Political Ideology • A set of values and/or beliefs about the size and power of government. • Held by individuals and groups. • Influenced by: • Nationalism • Religious Beliefs • Racism • Gender • Turns ideas into action.

  23. Four functions of Ideology • Explanation • Why are things the way they are? Why do people act the way they do? • Evaluation • How do we judge the state of the economy? Social conditions? • Orientation • A sense of identity • Political Program • Guides action and voting behavior

  24. American Ideology Conservative Values personal liberty over other attributes of American democracy. “He governs best who governs least” Values to status quo. Believes social welfare is best improved by the private sector. Liberal • Values equality over other attributes of American democracy. • Supports changing the status quo to promote equality. • Supports social welfare programs.

  25. American Ideology • Libertarian • Believes in no government interference • Believes in free markets • Rep. Ron Paul • Social Conservative • Government should enforce traditional moral values. • Government should regulate social behavior (sex, marriage). • Often confused with/merged with Political Conservatives.

  26. “We the People” has changed • Population • Racial and Ethnic Composition • Age • Family

  27. “We the people” are dropping out of civil society • 2012 Election: 57.2% of eligible voters participated. (ABC News). 93 million eligible voters did not participate. • Why are Americans losing their faith in the institutions of government and society (text p. 26)?

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