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The Scope of Government
• Fundamental Question: Is the government responsible for ensuring important societal goals (such as adequate healthcare or fair business practices) are achieved?
Young People are Politically Apathetic
• Why? – They think they can’t make a difference– They think the political system is corrupt– They don’t care
• What are the benefits of being informed? – Fostering Civic Virtues– Informed Voting– Active Political Participation
Government
• The institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society.
• Essential Questions– How should we govern? – What should government do?
Government
• Basic Functions of Government– Maintain National Defense– Provide Public Services– Preserve Order– Socialize the Young– Collect Taxes
Politics
• The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue.
• “Who gets what, when, and how.” (Lasswell)– Who: Voters, Candidates, Groups, Parties– What: Issues, Services, Benefits– How: Voting, Lobbying, Protesting
Politics
• Political Participation: All the activities used by citizens to influence the selection of political leaders and the policies they pursue. – Ex: voting, protesting, civil disobedience – Americans’ participation very low
Policymaking
• The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time
• Essential Components– People– Linkage Institutions – Policy Agenda– Policymaking Institutions– Policy
Politics
Democracy
• A system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
Democracy
• Democratic Theory– Equality in Voting – Effective Participation – Enlightened Understanding– Citizen Control of the Agenda– Inclusion • Majority Rule vs. Minority Rights
Democracy
• Three Theories of American Democracy – Pluralist Theory:• Politics is a competition among groups • No one group dominates
– Elite Theory: • An upper-class elite control government
– Hyperpluralism: • Many strong groups competing hinder government’s
ability to perform
Challenges to Democracy
• Increased Technical Expertise – Hard for citizens to make well-informed decisions
• Limited Participation in Government – Americans know little about leaders and policy
• Escalating Campaign Costs – Connection between money and politics– Increased influence of PACs
• Diverse Political Interests– Policy gridlock