People, Politics, and Participation

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Chapter 1

• People, Politics, and Participation

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Why should you study American Democracy

• Politics The process of deciding who gets what
  benefits in society and who is excluded from
  benefiting.
• Changes in politics Electronics, 9/11, Wars,
  Death of Soldiers.

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Technology

• World Wide Web has caused a massive change in
  politics.
• Apply for student aid, S.S., contact congress
  persons, find jobs, and shipping packages

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Political Context Now

• 9/11 caused a dramatic change in politics.
• Since the 1970s 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.

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Effect of 9/11

• 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.

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Change in 2004 2008 Election

• Voters 66-74 yrs old decreased in voting.
• Voters 18-21 yrs old especially 19yr olds
  increased to rival people in the 30s.
• In 2008 there was a 2.2 million 18-20yr.old
  increase in voting. It was the first time since
  1972.

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What Government Does

• 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.

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What Government Does cont.

• 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

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Types of Government

• Monarchy government in which a royal family has
  absolute authority.
• Oligarchy government in which a few elite hold
  all the power.
• Democracy government in which the citizens hold
  all the power.

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Systems of Government

• Totalitarianism government controls every aspect
  of citizens lives.
• Authoritarianism government has strong power
  but is checked by some forces.
• Constitutionalism government is structured by
  law and power is limited.
• Limited government government is restricted in
  what they can do so peoples rights are protected.

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Origins of American Democracy

• 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.

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Origins Cont.

• 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.

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Modern Political Philosophy

• 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.

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Modern Philosophy Cont.

• 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.

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Modern Philosophy Cont.

• 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.

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U.S. Experimental Representative Democracy

• 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.

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Political Culture

• Political Culture the peoples collective
  beliefs and attitudes about government and
  political process.
• Ideal Examples
• Liberty
• Equality
• Capitalism
• Consent of the governed
• Individual, Family, and Community.

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Changing Democracy

• 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.

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Changing Complexion Race and Ethnicity

• 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.

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American Family

• American family has changed since the Womens
  liberation of the 1970s.
• Marriage between couples has declined to 52.
• Female ran households has remained the same.

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Why Changing Population matters to the Government

• Strain on resources.
• Strain on government programs
• Racial changes can affect political outcome.

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Ideology

• Political Ideology integrated system of ideas or
  beliefs about political values in general and the
  role of government in particular.

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Liberalism

• 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.

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Liberalism Cont.

• 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.

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Conservatism

• 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.

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Other ideologies on the traditional spectrum

• Socialism ideology that advocates economic
  equality, theoretically achieved by having the
  government or workers own the industry.
• Libertarianism ideology believe that the
  government should have a hands off policy on
  most things. Ex laissez- faire on the property
  and the economy.

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Neo-conservatism

• 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.

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Acting on your views

• 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.