The Game of Politics

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The Game of Politics
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Political culture refers to all the ways people
think and feel life should be in shared society.

• In what ways can we resolve our conflicts
  peacefully in the public square?

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There are shared values such as

• liberty.
• equality.
• civic duty.

E Pluribus Unum
Can you think of any others?
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Tolerance is a key value today, referring to
differing values.

• (What really is tolerance and how has it been
  distorted today?)
• Key question in all this What beliefs do we
  share?

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How come those values have been inconsistent with
practice?

• An example is slavery.
• Didnt we say a long time ago All men are
  created equal ?

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Problem is that these values can be vague.

• Again (weve asked these before)
• What does equality really mean?
• How much liberty should one have?

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And that is why many times there are conflicting
rights claims!

• Many times you claim you can do something and I
  claim I can do something else!
• And this situation is always much more complex
  than we think!

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When large groups of people are involvedSuch as
in this country

• Then politics plays a big part!
• (And that means youre in there somewhere!)

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But involvement in government depends on
feelings of efficacy.
(How effective one can be in the public square.)

• This is how much an individual feels he or she
  can affect political events.

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All people want change for the better!

• The question really is, How much do I have to
  do to have an impact on my community or nation?
  
• For many, the cost is too high! So they do
  little. ?.

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Fundamental efficacy

• First Gaining knowledge, and then building
  convictions.
• Conviction Standing firm with what you know is
  true.

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The Political Spectrum
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The Political Spectrum
A spectrum is where you have a range of
possibilities with two extremes.
One extreme
The other extreme
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The Political Spectrum
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The Political Spectrum
Left
Right
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The Political Spectrum
Conservative
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The Political Spectrum
Liberal
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The Political Spectrum
Moderate
Be careful about committing to being moderate!
Many moderates are indecisive or wishy-washy.
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The Political Spectrum
The most important thing is that you are always
willing to learn!
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The Political Spectrum
There is always a right wrong to every issue,
even if very complex!
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Fundamental efficacy

• Secondly Become active, participate
• Voting / speaking out formally.
• Campaigning, working for a candidate or issue.
• Running for office.

Voting information
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Political parties are an inescapable part of the
process.

• What are they?
• They are organizations based on common political
  principles used to affect public policy on a wide
  scale.
• They seek to control government by gaining and
  holding public office.

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Political parties are an inescapable part of the
process.

• What do they do?
• Nominate candidates.
• Inform the public.

• Organize government.
• Approve legislation.
• Keep party in power in check.

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Their number one objective

• To get candidates elected!

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Originally, the founders did not anticipate
having them.

• Today, the Republicans and the Democrats
  are the two major parties.

Vote Dems!
Vote GOP!
Party Quiz
What about others?
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Interest groups are also designed to have an
impact on government affairs.

• What are these?
• People with specific objectives who try to
  influence policy makers in government.

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What interest groups do

• Represent concerns of common citizens. (You can
  join one ?!)
• Help citizens explain complex views to public
  officials.
• Raise public awareness of particular issues of
  concern.

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What interest groups do

• Inform public officials with detailed
  information about specialized subjects.
• Serve as a check on public officials and other
  interest groups. (So no one person or group has
  too much power!)

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How are interest groups different from political
parties?

• Their concerns are much more narrow in scope.
• They dont have candidates themselves.
• They just want to influence office holders.

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The individuals who actually visit members of
Congress to try to get them to vote they way they
want are called lobbyists.

• Comes from waiting in the lobby outside the
  Senate and House chambers.
• They must be very persuasive!

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An important arm of interest groups are
PACs

• Political Action Committees
• Their specific purpose is to raise and give
  money to candidates.

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What can be the problem with all this?

• Think about it

Lobbyist
Politician
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What can be the problem with all this?

• Think about it

Lobbyist
Politician
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Examples of Interest Groups

• AARP
• American Association of Retired Persons
• NEA
• National Education Association
• MADD
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving

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Examples

• Sierra Club
• Chamber of Commerce of the United States
• AFL-CIO
• League of Women Voters
• Consumers Union
• AMA
• American Medical Association

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Examples

• NRA
• National Rifle Association
• NAACP
• National Association for the Advancement of
  Colored People
• American Bar Association
• National Council of Churches

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Examples

• ACLU
• American Civil Liberties Union
• CFR
• Council on Foreign Relations
• Common Cause
• AAA
• American Automobile Association

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Examples

• National Audubon Society
• MALDEF
• Mexican American Legal Defense and Education
  Fund
• Associated Milk Producers
• International Brotherhood of Teamsters
• Tulip Growers Association

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You guys ready to get out of here and eat already?
Heres your lunch you cute little brats! These
peas are especially good, I got them from a can I
pulled from way in the back!

• Well, all right, then

If you eat all your lunch you can have our
special dessert! Fudge Jello Celery Surprise!