Agenda• Announcements:

– HW: CE #1 due, Ch. 2 Rdg., Const. Scav. Hunt• Colbert Clip• Current Event G.R.R.• Individual/Group Work • Notes• Analyzing Locke/D.O.I (Locke Article?)• Finish Notes• Defining America’s Core Values

States’ Voter I.D. Requirements pre-Shelby Co. v. Holder

Daily Show Discusses "R-Word" in America

CBS News: N.C. Proposed Voting Laws

Interactive Voting Rights Map

Foundations of Government

“There has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free.”

Thomas Jefferson

Government & Our Lives

• How does government impact your life?

• Why participate?– Those who participate in the political process are

more likely to benefit from government programs & policies…Why?

– For Your Own Good

Activity: Step 1

• Define the following terms…in your own words:– Democracy– Government– Politics– Political Power– Policy Agenda– Policy– Linkage Institution

Activity: Step 2

• Form a small group of 2-3 people and refine definitions. Come up with the best possible meaning for each term.

What is Democracy?

• Democracy: Govt. in which supreme power is vested in the people… – Means of organizing govt so policy represents &

responds to the public’s preferences

• Founders distrust of democracy led to– Indirect Democracy: People elect representatives

to rule in their interest– Why?

Political Cartoon

• Founders Distrust of Democracy

What is Government?• Govt: The institutions & processes thru which

public policies are made for society

• How should we govern?

• What should government do?– Maintain National Defense– Provide Public Services

• Public Goods: Services that everyone shares; can’t be denied (use of highways, clean air & water)

– Preserve Order– Collect Taxes

What is Politics?

• Politics: process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue.– Who gets what, when, where, & why

• Political Participation in U.S.– U.S. one of lowest voter participation rates in World

• Why?– How can you participate? – U.S. voters: distorted sample…who makes up the voting

bloc?• Elderly, Strong Party Affiliation, High SES

U.S. Voter Participation Rates

• How does the U.S. stack up against other democracies?

What Is Policy?• Political Power:

– power used to determine who will hold office and how the govt will behave.

• Policy: What Government Does…– Government + Politics = Policy

• Policy Agenda:– Issues that attract the attention of public officials

• Linkage Institution– Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, & Media… connect people to

government/policy makers

• Policymaking Institutions?: – Legislature, Executive, Courts, & Bureaucracy

Roots of American Government

• Influences:– Greeks: Idea of direct democracy with many

people involved. The polis.– Enlightenment-the idea that government should

rely on the consent of the people• New Concepts: Social compacts about self-govt• New Concept: People have natural rights

Roots of American Government• Historical Documents

– Magna Carta (1215): Estbl. idea that the power of the monarch is not absolute and there are fundamental rights held by everyone.

– Mayflower Compact (1620): Idea of colonial self-government

– Petition of Rights (1628): challenged the idea of divine right and said the monarch had to obey the laws of the land.

– English Bill of Rights (1688): William and Mary of Orange signed this and made representative govt. supreme

Roots of American Government• Hobbes & Locke

– Hobbes• People naturally fight so need govt

for protection (stability)• Social Contract

– Locke:• Govt’s purpose is to reserve and

protect people’s inalienable rights/property

• Separation of Powers

– Montesquieu: • Separation of Powers

Locke & U.S. Government

• Influence on Govt.– Govt. w/ consent of

people– 3 fn. of govt.—laws,

settle disputes, execute laws (sep. of powers)

– Limited Government– Supreme power in the

legislator

• Influence on D.O.I– Govt. w/ consent of

people– Natural Rights– Right to overthrow

unjust/despotic governments

Jefferson & D.O.I

• What’s Jefferson’s goal in listing abuses by King George (& Parliament)?

• Abuses– 1-12: King George’s Estbl. of Tyrannical Rule in

Place of Representative Govt.– 13-22: Involvement of Parliament in Destroying

Self Rule (“King combined w/ others to…”– 23-27: Specific Actions King George Took to

Abandon Colonies/Wage War

Who Governs: Theories• Elite Theory: A small # of rich, powerful people

make the decisions; thus, it’s rarely responsive to the will of the people. – There is an identifiable group with a disproportionate

share of power. Elite = powerful..

• Pluralism: So many groups vying for resources, it’s impossible for any one group to win…thus, there is compromise. More than one interest supports a decision/action.

• Hyperpluralism: Too many groups to make any form of compromise → political gridlock.

Responsibilities of Government

• Guarantees by National Government to States– Why? – A representative, republican form of govt.– Protect against invasion and domestic violence– Respect the boundaries– Admit new states-Manifest Destiny

Responsibilities of Government

Clauses Establishing Federal Government• Full Faith & Credit Clause:

– Each State has to honor the civil rulings and laws from other states; doesn’t apply to criminal matters.

• Supremacy Clause: – Sets up the hierarchy w/ the U.S. Constitution at the

top. • Necessary & Proper Clause:

– Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all other powers vested by Constitution in the government.