Chapter 1

Government in America

“There has never been, nor ever will be, a

people who are politically ignorant

and free.”-- T. Jefferson

Political Knowledge

• Fosters civic virtues (e.g. political tolerance)• Helps ID beneficial policies and affects voting• Promotes participation

> Young people score less than ½ on political knowledge test as those 65+

Why are young people so deficient?

• Perception/reality of little policy impact• Changes in media > multiplicity and

narrowcasting• Diminished cultural interest contributes to

lack of political culture• Busier

“Government”• Institutions that make decisions

“HOW should we govern?”

“WHAT should government do?”

Functions of Government•Maintain defense•Provide services•Preserve order•Socialize the young•Collect taxes

“Politics”

• Process whereby we select leaders & policies• Political Participation: activities to influence

leaders and policies– Voting is most common method• Single-Issue Groups

Policymaking System

• How policy is made• How does gov’t. know the interests and

priorities of people? Linkage Institutions

(parties, elections, Interest Groups, media, activities/demonstrations, etc.)

POLICY AGENDA: priorities of gov’t. action(s)

“Democracy”

• Government that represents & responds to public’s preferences

• Democratic Process:– Equality in voting– Effective participation– Free Speech & Press– Collective control of agenda– Inclusion

Majority Rule (policies should reflect will of majority)

vs.

Minority Rights

(restraints on the majority via rights of minorities)

Who Really Governs?

• Pluralism: competing interest groups set agenda and policy

• Elitism: small upper-class holds power and makes policy

• Hyperpluralism: strong competing groups cripple efficient governmental policy

Challenges to Democracy

• Complex Issues• Limited participation• Escalating costs of campaigns• Diverse interests– “Policy Gridlock”

Political Culture

• How is the U.S. a ‘Nation’?– Shared beliefs and valuesLiberty, Equality, Individualism,

Laissez-Faire, & Populism

Scope of American Government

U.S. governments spend ~1/3 of GDP (nearly $4 trillion)

Employ ~24 million people (~8% of population)

Differing opinions on the scope of government is a source of continuing controversy