1 A. P. Government : Unit I Introduction to Government in America

2 What is government? An organization of people, offices, and processes, by which a state is ruled. The person or people who make the rules and enforce them. The people in charge of law-making and law enforcement.

3 What is a state? A body of people, organized politically, who are sovereign. Characteristics of a state: Population Territory Government Sovereignty

4 Sovereignty? Final authority or power within the borders of a state. No outside agency or nation is making or enforcing policy for the state. EX. Iraq is not a state because they have no sovereignty. US troops are making and enforcing policy. Iraq’s government does not have final authority.

5

6 Why is government necessary?Human Nature Hobbes: man is evil, gov’t exists to protect us from our own nature Locke: man is simply human, government is a choice used to protect the “good” from the “evil” Others?

7 Why is government necessary?Needs: Protection Foreign invasion Crime Natural Disasters Illness/Disease Etc…

8 Why is government necessary?Standardization Decision-making Rules/Laws Organization Economic Development Common moral standards/ political ideology Others?

9 Government’s impact on daily lifeTaxes! Traffic laws Education Standardized weights and measures Criminal law codes Guarantees of civil liberties/ rights Labor standards Licensing of Professionals Quality standards Protection/support for underprivileged Etc…

10 Theories of the origin of the state/governmentDivine Right of Kings/ Divine Right Theory God gives certain people the right to rule. Treason is a sin.

11 Force Theory One person or small group rule by military might.

12 Evolution Theory Government evolved slowly over time.Family to clan to tribe to government

13 Social Contract TheoryCreated by John Locke Two Treatises on Civil Government Natural Rights Law of Nature Government’s purpose is protection Right to revolution Consent of the people Majority rule/minority rights “contract” ; mutual obligations

14 Forms of Government

15 Forms of Government Monarchy Hereditary Rule Law of PrimogenitureTypes Absolute Constitutional

16 Oligarchy Rule by the few (wealth=power ; party membership=power)Examples:

17

18

19 Aristocracy Rule by rule by the few (nobility; title and land= power)Examples:

20 Anarchy No rules or laws No one is in charge!

21 Dictatorship One person or a small group rule by forceMilitary control Few rights are guaranteed One party rule

22

23 Types of DictatorshipsAuthoritarian (unchallenged power) Example: Iran Totalitarian (total control over all aspects of peoples’ lives) Example: China

24 Democracy A form of government in which the people are sovereign and the government guarantees rights to the people.

25 Forms of Democracy Democratic Centralism: government makes decisions in the best interests of the people. Example:

26 Direct/Participatory/Aristotelian/Pure Democracy: people make all rules and laws for themselves

27 Representative/Indirect/Republican/ Elite Democracy: people elect representatives in competitive elections to make the laws.

28 How do you know if your government is really a Representative Democracy?Do you have a written constitution? Does each adult have the right to vote? Are there regular, periodic, planned elections? Do you use secret ballots? Are there real choices on the ballot? Are people really guaranteed the right to speak, write, and associate? Do people have religious freedom? Do government officials have more rights than the people? Are government officials answerable to the people?

29 Systems of Government Key is location of sovereignty (power)Unitary: national government is sovereign; little or no local/regional government Confederate: divided sovereignty; States are supreme Federal: divided sovereignty; National government is supreme

30 Parliamentary/Unitary GovernmentNational government is sovereign People elect only House of Commons in Parliament directly; Commons elects PM Parliament(legislature) is dominant No fixed terms of office No constitutional separation of powers; all power is vested in Parliament No formal separation of powers Multi-party system

31 Presidential/Federal Government*Divided sovereignty; National supremacy People directly elect Congress, indirectly elect President No branch dominates; equal power Terms of office: House: 2 yrs Senate: 6 years Pres: 4 years Judges/Justices: Life (“good behavior”) *Branches are granted separate powers by Constitution *Extensive system of checks and balances exists * Two Party System

32 Why does democracy require free, fair, and frequent elections?

33 Why does democracy require free expression?

34 Why does democracy require the availability of alternative and independent sources of information?

35 Political Power Two essential questions: Who governs?To what ends? (why?)

36 Who Governs? Four Contending Theories: Marxist Elitist BureaucraticPluralist

37 Marxist Theory Government is the tool of the wealthy. Money=PowerGovernment is the servant of corporations Proof of? Evidence Against?

38 Elitist Theory The “Elites” have the real power.The Elites are the top corporate, political, labor, media, military, and educational leaders. All the Elites have a similar background and education Proof of? Evidence Against?

39 Bureaucratic Theory Government is really run by the career bureaucrats of the federal government. Power is in the bureaucracy since they will remain in office for their entire working life. Expertise=Power Proof of? Evidence Against?

40 Pluralist Theory No one group has all the power all the timeThere are too many interest groups, politicians, corporations, lobbyists, etc… for any one to maintain power over time. Proof of ? Evidence Against?

41 To What Ends? Why? Self Interest Public Interest

42

43 Power The ability to get someone to do what you want them to doExamples?

44 Political Power The ability to get someone to vote for you, support your policy or position, or to get them to do what you want in government.

45 Private V. Public MattersWhat should the government be allowed to regulate? What areas should always be private and not subject to government regulation? The enduring democratic debate!

46 Authority *General acceptance that one should be able to exercise a power

47 Legitimacy The right to use power granted by constitution, law, or the people.

48 To What Ends? Why has the government gotten involved in so many things? What did the government do initially (1787)? Why did government get more power? Do we really need or want them to regulate so much? What areas should the government regulate? Has 9/11 changed what we want the government to do? Would you be willing to give up some freedom for additional protection?

49 Four Kinds of Politics Majoritarian Interest Group ClientEntrepreneurial

50 Majoritarian PoliticsCosts and benefits of a policy are perceived to be widely distributed Everyone receives benefits and everyone pays for benefits Proposals for programs of this kind lead to intense ideological debates Can result in a change in US world view if passed Examples Social Security Medicare Obamacare NATO World War II

51 Interest Group PoliticsOne groups pays for a program while another distinct group receives the benefits Examples: National Labor Relations Board Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

52 Client Politics Costs of a program are paid by a majority of taxpayers while benefits are given to a small, well-organized group Examples: VA Benefits Flood Control Projects PORK! (gov’t research projects) Earmarks

53 Entrepreneurial PoliticsBenefits are perceived to be granted to the majority while a well-organized minority pays the costs Need a compelling symbol; emotional plea Media coverage (sympathy) is essential for success Examples: Investigation of Communists Brady Bill Meatpacking Regulations Clear Air/ Clean Water Acts

54

55 https://youtu.be/j7OHG7tHrNM

56

57 How did our government get so much power?Framers Jefferson Lincoln FDR JFK/LBJ 9/11 Today?

58 The End!!!! 30 multiple Choice 1 Free Response Question

59 Possible FRQ Topics Elites V. PluralistsSocial Contract Theory and Jefferson Forms of Democracy Laswell’s Model & 4 types of politics Fed/Pres V. Parl/Unitary Power, authority, legitimacy