Introducing Government in America

Chapter 1

Introduction
Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American youth are not likely to be informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics.

Introduction

Introduction

Introduction

Government
Definition: 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? What should government do? Governments typically maintain a national defense, provide services, collect taxes, and preserve order.

Politics
Definition: Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they producepolitics produces authoritative decisions about public issues. Also consider lAsswells definition: Who gets what, when and how.

The Policymaking System

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

Linkage Institutions
Definition: Linkage institutions are the politicAl chAnnels through which peoples concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups

Policy Agenda
Definition: 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, & others will not. A governments policy AgendA chAnges regularly.

Policymaking Institutions
Definition: 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)

Policies Impact People

Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue.

Democracy
Definition: Democracy is a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the publics preferences. Components of Traditional Democratic Theory: Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion

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 through bargaining and compromise

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 upperclass 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.

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

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 Egalitarianismfavors equality Individualism Laissez-faireleAve it Alone Populismappealing to the average guy