Government Government Introduction Introduction

Introducing Government in Introducing Government in AmericaAmerica

Why Government? Why Government?

Politics and government matterPolitics and government matter– Age you drive, drink alcohol and voteAge you drive, drink alcohol and vote– TaxesTaxes– Student loansStudent loans– HolidaysHolidays– Rent an apartment Rent an apartment – Gas pricesGas prices– Only 36 percent of college freshmen Only 36 percent of college freshmen

“keep up with politics”“keep up with politics”

Introducing Government in Introducing Government in AmericaAmerica Government-Institutions and Government-Institutions and

Processes through which public Processes through which public policies are made for society policies are made for society

Politics- the processes by which we Politics- the processes by which we select our government leaders select our government leaders

Democracy-organizing government Democracy-organizing government so policy represents will of the so policy represents will of the peoplepeople

What should government do? What should government do? – National defense, provide public National defense, provide public

services, preserve order, educate the services, preserve order, educate the young, collect taxesyoung, collect taxes

DemocracyDemocracy Majority rule with minority rights Majority rule with minority rights Three contemporary theories: Three contemporary theories:

Pluralist, Elite/class, hyper-pluralist Pluralist, Elite/class, hyper-pluralist (also Majoritarian)(also Majoritarian)

Pluralist- the belief that competition Pluralist- the belief that competition among all affected interests shapes among all affected interests shapes public policy (interest groups)public policy (interest groups)

Elite- group or persons possess a Elite- group or persons possess a disproportionate share of public policy disproportionate share of public policy

Hyper-pluralist- groups are so strong Hyper-pluralist- groups are so strong government is weakenedgovernment is weakened

Democracy cont.Democracy cont.

Traditional Democratic Theory: Traditional Democratic Theory: – Equality in voting (Voting Rights Act of Equality in voting (Voting Rights Act of

1965, poll taxes, etc.) 1965, poll taxes, etc.) – Effective Participation (Elections...but Effective Participation (Elections...but

more)more)– Enlightened understanding (linkage Enlightened understanding (linkage

institution)institution)– Citizen control of the agenda (initiatives Citizen control of the agenda (initiatives

and referendums)and referendums)– Inclusion (all legal citizens)Inclusion (all legal citizens)

How active is Government? How active is Government? Spends 2.8 trillion annuallySpends 2.8 trillion annually Employs 2 million people Employs 2 million people Owns 1/3 of the land in the U.S.Owns 1/3 of the land in the U.S. Occupies 2.6 billion square feet of Occupies 2.6 billion square feet of

office spaceoffice space 400,000 nonmilitary vehicles 400,000 nonmilitary vehicles

Forms of GovernmentForms of Government Autocracy – king or dictator Autocracy – king or dictator

– Monarchy- rule by hereditary elite until death or Monarchy- rule by hereditary elite until death or abdication abdication

Oligarchy- small group controls most of the Oligarchy- small group controls most of the decisions decisions

Theocracy- authoritarian govt. drawing its power Theocracy- authoritarian govt. drawing its power from divine authority from divine authority

Anarchy- the absence of government Anarchy- the absence of government Representative democracy/republic- populace Representative democracy/republic- populace

selects reps who play a role in governmental selects reps who play a role in governmental decisions decisions

Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly on laws Direct Democracy- citizens vote directly on laws and policies (initiatives or referendums)and policies (initiatives or referendums)

Limited government- (more an idea)- principle that Limited government- (more an idea)- principle that a government has powers that are defined and a government has powers that are defined and limited by a constitution limited by a constitution

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Economics within a CountryEconomics within a Country

Laissez-Faire capitalism– “leave Laissez-Faire capitalism– “leave alone”- hands off economy alone”- hands off economy

Social Democracy- mostly private Social Democracy- mostly private ownership, but extensive Govt. ownership, but extensive Govt. control control

Regulated/mixed capitalism- private Regulated/mixed capitalism- private ownership and some govt. control ownership and some govt. control

Socialism- Complete government Socialism- Complete government ownership and control ownership and control

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