Transcript Chapter 1

Chapter 1
People, Politics, and Participation
Why should you study American
Democracy
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Politics: The process of deciding who gets
what benefits in society and who is excluded
from benefiting.
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Changes in politics: Electronics, 9/11, Wars,
Death of Soldiers.
Technology
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World Wide Web has caused a massive change
in politics.
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Apply for student aid, S.S., contact congress
persons, find jobs, and shipping packages
Political Context Now
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9/11 caused a dramatic change in politics.
Since the 1970’s Americans did not trust the
government. ex: scandals, ect.
Gallup polls in 2000 stated that 64% undergrad
students did not trust the government. It lacked
efficacy. Only 36% went to vote in Presidential
election.
Efficacy: Citizens belief that they have the ability to
achieve something desirable and that the government
listens to the people.
Effect of 9/11
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60% of College students trusted the
government now.
92% considered themselves patriotic.
77% believed politics was relevant to their
lives now.
80% believed they were ready to run the
country.
President Bush and Congress received and
approval rating of 80% now.
Change in 2004 &2008 Election
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Voters 66-74 yrs old decreased in voting.
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Voters 18-21 yrs old especially 19yr olds
increased to rival people in the 30’s.
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In 2008 there was a 2.2 million 18-20yr.old
increase in voting. It was the first time since
1972.
What Government Does
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Government: the institution that creates and
implements policies and laws that guide the
conduct of the nation and its citizens.
Citizens: members of the polity who, through
birth or naturalization, enjoy the rights,
privileges, and responsibilities attached to
membership of a nation.
What Government Does cont.
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To protect their sovereign territory and their
citizenry and to provide national defense.
To preserve order and stability
To establish and maintain a legal system
To provide services ex: public goods
To raise and spend money
To socialize new generations
Types of Government
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Monarchy: government in which a royal
family has absolute authority.
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Oligarchy: government in which a few elite
hold all the power.
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Democracy: government in which the citizens
hold all the power.
Systems of Government
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Totalitarianism: government controls every aspect of
citizens lives.
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Authoritarianism: government has strong power but
is checked by some forces.
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Constitutionalism: government is structured by law
and power is limited.
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Limited government: government is restricted in
what they can do so peoples rights are protected.
Origins of American Democracy
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Greece: demokratia: power of people and
poleis : politics.
City-States ruled by the people. Only men
holding property.
Early European politics: Divine Right of
Kings.
Protestants challenge church and king.
Ex: 1517 Martin Luther hammered 95 theses
to Catholic Church door at Wittenberg Castle.
Origins Cont.
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16th Century Protestants wanted to purify the
Church more thus Puritans were formed.
Puritans were persecuted and fled to the New
World.
Mayflower Compact: 1620 the pilgrims made
a social contract before reaching shore.
Social Contract: An agreement to give some
of their freedoms to the government in return
for protection and order.
Modern Political Philosophy
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Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679): Believed in
social contract, the strong will prey upon the
weak. He believed that either a monarchy was
needed or a social contract because anarchy
would prevail if not.
Modern Philosophy Cont.
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John Locke (1632-1704): He took Hobbs theory one
step further. He did not believe in Kings ruling by
scriptures, but natural rights.
Life, Liberty, and Property
Locke believe the people should accept government
authority but if they do not protect these rights then
the people have a right to rebel.
Modern Philosophy Cont.
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778): He took
Lockes theory farther with the belief of popular
sovereignty.
Popular sovereignty: the theory that
government is created by the people and
depends on the people for authority to rule.
U.S. Experimental Representative
Democracy
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Direct Democracy: a structure of government
in which citizens discuss and decide policy
through majority rule. Ex: town meetings
Indirect Democracy: Sometimes called
representative government, a system in which
citizens elect representatives who decide
policies on behalf of their constituents.
Political Culture
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Political Culture: the people’s collective beliefs and
attitudes about government and political process.
Ideal Examples:
Liberty
Equality
Capitalism
Consent of the governed
Individual, Family, and Community.
Changing Democracy
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First Census: 1790. Population fewer than 4
million.
2010 Census: Projected amount is 300 million.
Between 1960-2000 the population increased
50%.
Population trends show that more people are
moving from mid-west to south and west.
Population is aging and the baby boom is
reaching the top of the age scale.
Changing Complexion: Race and
Ethnicity
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As of 2000 the Hispanic population surpassed
the black population. 12.5%
Asian and Pacific Islander has doubled in the
last decade from 2% to 4%.
African American population centered around
urban areas.
Hispanic population is centered in the Texas
and California, as well as along the boarder.
American Family
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American family has
changed since the
Women’s liberation of
the 1970’s.
Marriage between
couples has declined to
52%.
Female ran households
has remained the same.
Why Changing Population matters
to the Government
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Strain on resources.
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Strain on government programs
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Racial changes can affect political outcome.
Ideology
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Political Ideology: integrated system of ideas
or beliefs about political values in general and
the role of government in particular.
Liberalism
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Liberalism: advocates change in the social, political,
and economic realms to better protect the well being
of individuals and to produce equality within society.
Emphasize civil liberties, especial 1st Amendments
Separation of Church and State ex: prayer in public
school.
Support political equality, political rights of gays, and
voting rights disenfranchised.
Liberalism Cont.
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Roots are from Enlightenment- which is freedom of
thought and exchange of ideas, limited government,
rule of law in society, unfettered market economy,
free public education.
Modern Liberalism: believe in the government taking
a more active role in personal life.
Ex: increase in S.S., Medicare, Medicaid, government
regulation of business and workplace conditions.
Conservatism
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Conservatism: an ideology that emphasizes
preserving tradition and relying on community and
family as mechanisms of continuity in society.
Believe in individual initiative, rule of law, limited
Gov., unfettered market economy. Similar to
Liberalism.
Difference is limited government and more state
involvement.
Example: limit federal Gov. involvement with
welfare, Medicaid, ect.
Other ideologies on the traditional
spectrum
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Socialism: ideology that advocates economic
equality, theoretically achieved by having the
government or workers own the industry.
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Libertarianism: ideology believe that the
government should have a “hands off” policy
on most things. Ex: laissez- faire on the
property and the economy.
Neo-conservatism
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Neo-conservatism: advocates military over
diplomatic solutions in forging policy and less
concerned with restraining government activity
in domestic politics than traditional
conservatives.
Aka: Hawks
Gaining strength since war in Iraq, support the
state of Israel and against Arab nations that
harbor terrorist.
Acting on your views
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www.politicalcompass.org
Civic Engagement: individual and collective
actions designed to identify and address issues
of public concern.
Political Engagement: Citizen actions that are
intended to solve public problems through
political means.
Ex: Boycott or Buycott a good or service.