Introducing Government in America

Chapter 1

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?

Constitutional Democracy

Government

What should government do? Government should provide:

1. Equality

2. Consent of the governed

3. Right to Revolt

4. Limited Government

5. Popular Sovereignty

6. A Purposed Government (with all of the above)

Politics

Definition: The process by which we select our

governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produce. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.

Also consider Lasswell’s definition: Who gets what, when and how.

Figure 1.3

The Policymaking System

The Policymaking System

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time.

Is cyclical, and it is the process through which policies are made for society

People

Interests-are personal to people and varied

Problems-always exist, and must be solved in the most effective manner given the differences of people.

Concerns-are the root of all legislation and policymaking

Linkage Institutions

Political Parties-help people choose representatives for themselves

Elections-effective, acceptable way to choose reps. Who make policies for the society at large.

News & Entertainment Media-inform policymakers on public choice, and public on what policies the government makes.

Interest Groups-help to more directly influence government for a group of people.

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.

Policymaking Institutions

Legislature (Congress) Executive (President) Courts (Federal and State) Bureaucracies (Federal and State aka

state or national executive agencies)

Policy (common problems)

Expenditures of money-no one likes taxes, so there is never enough $.

Raising or lowering taxes- see above New laws or regulations-How will this

effect me (cell phones/school zones) Non-decisions (gridlock)-can’t we all

get along?

People

Impacts of policies: Does it solve the problem? Does it create more problems? Everyone sees this differently,

especially if you are political party oriented or belong to an interest group

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- we need to satisfy as many of these

concerns as possible when creating public goods (stuff paid for at taxpayer expense)

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

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

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

Challenges to Democracy (Questions YOU will decide)

Increased Technical Expertise Limited Participation in Government

ours participation is relatively low in the world.

Escalating Campaign Costs-does money by influence?

Diverse Political Interests-are there too many IG’s or not enough?

Questions About Democracy

Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know?

Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way?

Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters?

Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of ALL the people?

Questions about the Scope of Government

How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal government?

Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms?

Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued…

Do competing political parties make for better policies?

Do more interest groups create a bigger government?

Does the media help control the size and policies government?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued…

Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big?

Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups?

Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?

Questions about the Scope of Government, continued…

Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government?

Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?

Internet Resources

All resources can be found on the DHS All resources can be found on the DHS Resources Page, or www.firstgov.gov Resources Page, or www.firstgov.gov

Policy issues (1st Gov. Portal) Federalist Papers (DHS) Democracy in America (web page is

on the back of your text book) Yahoo’s Government www.yahoo.com