Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Insert: Book Cover (when available)

Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Insert: Book Cover (when available)



To understand the nature of politics, we must examine:

Politics and Power The Bases of Political Power Politics and Government


The Nature of Politics

Politics and Power Politics: A process by which values are authoritatively

allocated for a society. Political power: The ability to influence the political

behavior of others.



The Bases of Political Power Legitimacy, which can come from 3

sources: Tradition Personal charisma An accepted body of laws



Politics and Government Government: The institutions and processes by which

rules and decisions are made and enforced for all members of a society.


To understand the meaning of democracy, we must examine:

The Bases of Democracy


The Meaning of Democracy

Democracy: A form of government in which government’s decisions are grounded in the freely given consent of the people, who are guaranteed essential rights. Direct democracy:

Citizens participate directly in making policy decisions.

Representative democracy: Citizens transfer their power to people they elect to

represent them.



A New England town meeting, an example of direct democracy



The Bases of Democracy Self-Government

People are sufficiently rational to govern themselves.



The Social Contract John Locke (1632–1704) believed

that government protects citizens’ natural rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property.

John Locke (1632–1704)



The Social Contract People come together in civil society, agreeing on a form

of government and laws. If government fails to protect the rights of the people,

they have the right to abolish it. Locke’s ideas influenced Thomas Jefferson in writing the

Declaration of Independence.


The Meaning of Democracy“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that, whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government . . . ”

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)



Majority Rule Under civil society, people are protected but not entirely

free. They must live under the will of the majority.

Minority Rights In a democracy, the minority retains essential rights.



Limited Government Limits on government power protect minority rights. In a constitutional democracy, a written constitution

defines government’s limits and limits majority power.



Democratic Institutions The U.S. Constitution established 3 branches of

government: Legislative Executive Judicial

This separation of powers prevents a concentration of authority.



Free Elections Allow citizen to express their policy preferences Encourage responsiveness of elected officials Allow for a peaceful transfer of power



An Organized Opposition A democracy allows opens criticism of those in office. The major parties are free to criticize acts of the

president’s administration and the other major party in Congress.



Free Expression of Ideas Democratic dialogue relies on freedom of speech, press,

and assembly, and the right to petition government.



Equality Economic equality Legal and political equality

Universal Education Jefferson believed public education was needed for a free

nation.


Understanding Democracy and Diversity


Democracy and Diversity

The U.S. population continues to increase, particularly in the South and West.

The population is aging. The population is becoming more diverse.

Hispanics are the largest and fastest-growing group.


Democracy and Diversity

Newly naturalized citizens take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

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Copyright © 2012 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Insert: Book Cover (when available)