Introduction Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics

and government. American youth are not likely to be

informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics.

Volunteerism among young Americans in civil society has increased.

Introduction

Types of Political Knowledgeand the Analytical ProcessPolitical analysis attempts to answer the what, why and

how questions about politics. Description

-The “what” questions based on facts Explanation

-The “why” and “how” something happens Prediction --the effects of decisions and non-decisions

Prescription-Value statement of what “should be done”

Scientific Knowledge Science - uses methods that allow people to

agree on results Search for regularities

Patterns or correlations Empirical

Observable or measurable Cumulative

Builds on previous foundation Testable

Others can evaluate and repeat analysis

Weber’s classification of types of authority:

 

Type Basis Example  

Traditional Custom and Monarchy established way of

doing things  

Charismatic intense commitment Many revolutionary to the leader and his leaders message  

Legal-Rational rules and procedures bureaucracy; merit not connectionsRepresentative the office, not the persondemocracy

Legitimacy: rightful authority to rule—individuals within a state recognize the government’s right to make collective decisions; Today: legal and psychological right to govern

Politics Definition:

Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they produce—politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.

The process of deciding who benefits and who is excluded from benefiting in society.

Also consider Lasswell’s definition: Who gets what, when and how.

The Policymaking System

The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time

Figure 1.4

Linkage Institutions Definition: Linkage institutions are the

political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups

Government Definition: Government is the institutions

and processes through which public policies are made for society.

This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern? What should government do?

Governments typically maintain a national defense, provide services, collect taxes, and preserve order.

Policymaking Institutions Definition: Policymaking institutions are

the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. Legislature (Congress) Executive (Presidency)

Bureaucracies (Federal and State) Courts (Federal and State)

Policies Impact People

Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue

Typesof

Governments:

Who Governs?

Monarchy:

A king or queen has absolute authority

over a territory and its government.

Oligarchy:

Only an elite few hold power.

Democracy:

The supreme power of governance

lies in the hands of citizens.

Typesof

Governments:

Functionand

Structure?

Totalitarianism:

A tyrannical government structure which

controls every aspect of their citizens’ lives.

Authoritarianism:

A government which holds strong powers,

but which is checked by other forces in society.

Constitutionalism:

A form of government structured by law

which provides for limited government.

Functions of Government Security Mediation Provision of public goods Allocation of resources To raise and spend money; control of

money supply Political socialization

U.S. and Capitalism Economic system characteristic of

a. private property b. free market with limited gov’t

interventionc. economic output determined by supply and demand

General Philosophy of Liberals and

ConservativesLiberals:1. More governmental regulation of economy2. More policies to help disadvantaged groups3. More policies to redistribute incomeConservatives:4. Fewer governmental regulations, more reliance on

market5. Fewer policies in the name of disadvantaged

groups6. Fewer tax laws that discourage business growth