Transcript An Introduction to American Governmet

Mr. Lucas Plotnik
Culver City High School
I. Questions
A. How has government and politics affected your life?

I. Questions
A. How has government and politics affected your life?

I. Questions
A. How has government and politics affected your life?

I. Questions
A. How has government and politics affected your life?

B. Many people especially young people are apathetic about
politics.
Why?

B. Many people especially young people are apathetic about
politics.
Why?

People feel they can not make a difference
1.
2. They believe the system is corrupt
3. They don’t care

 http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-may-72012/virginia-s-enthusiastic-young-voters
C. Why is it important that people stay informed and
get involved?

C. Why is it important that people stay informed and
get involved?

It fosters civic virtues such as tolerance
1.
2. It helps citizens figure out which policies will benefit
them.
3. It promotes active participation
A. Those who participate in the political process
are more likely to benefit from government
programs
and policies.
II. Government
 A. The formal institutions that make policies or laws
on behalf of the people.


 What should the role of government be?
B. All governments are suppose to do three things

Maintain national defense and maintain public order
1.
2. Provide public services
3. Collect Taxes
4. Socialize the young
C. Linkage Institutions refer to the means in which
people interact with their government including
expressing their concerns
III. Public Policy

A. Government actions that are meant to control the
behavior of people.
Law and Policy are not the same thing!
Example: The law sets the speed limit at 65, yet the policy of
the police is not to pull you over unless you go over 70.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVzzGZfZXqw
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bgcUjiLvtk
IV. Types of Democracy

A. Direct and Representative (republic)
b. Criteria for Democracy

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Effective Participation
Enlightened Understanding
Citizens control the political agenda
Inclusion
Majority Rule
V. Theories of Democracy

A. Pluralist: People naturally are social and form
associations. Pluralist believe that politics is a
struggle among groups to obtain hold political
power, yet it is done in a democratic fashion.
B. Elitism or Class Theory: Believe that wealth is the
basis of all power.
C. Hyper Pluralism : Interest Groups become too
powerful and dominate the decision making
process.
VI. Challenges to
Democracy

1.
2.
3.
4.
The Law is becoming increasingly technical
Limited Participation
Escalating Campaign Costs
Diverse political Interest
Videos

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFjh2dl16Zs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNqOSORjg4g
Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_emb
edded&v=ZBm4G62e1qc#!