Download Dalton*s The Good Citizen Assignment Chapter 6: Is the

Chapter 6
IS THE GOVERNMENT THE
PROBLEM OR THE SOLUTION?
THE GOOD CITIZEN PROJECT BY:
MARIAH WILLIAMS
STEPHANIE OLSON
ELAINE SUTTER
HOW IS AGE A VARIABLE IN BEING A GOOD
CITIZEN?
• Older generation
• Wanted more limited government
• Younger Generation
• Expected government to be more involved and provide more to them
DALTONS MAJOR QUESTIONS
• “How are citizenship norms linked to Americans’ policy preferences?” (p.102).
• “How do citizenship norms shape an individual’s view of the overall scope of government
activity?”
• “What specific policy areas should receive more or less government spending?”
• “What is the relationship between citizenship norms and a range of domestic and foreign
policy issues?” (p.102).
Individuals Role In the Government
• Duty-based citizenship- Dalton describes this as a citizen wanting the
government to have a smaller part in their individual’s life.
• Focuses on person responsibility and the policy choices reflect that preference.
• Dalton States, “They usually oppose “social programs, redistributive policies, and ‘big
government’” (p.104).
• Lower support for governmental spending than engaged citizenships
• Thinks a larger governmental presence is needed to supply and preserve the
rights of the people.
•
Believes in “an activist government that provides for the needy, develops
social service programs, and is a guarantor of basic civil rights” (p.104).
• Desire an increase in “greater spending on welfare, support for programs to
aid cities, support for blacks, childcare, and drug addiction programs” (p111).
• Lean towards the support of foreign aid and an extension on foreign policy.
Dalton concluded that “norms of citizenship first shape individuals’ political behavior and
provide guidance on what they think a “good citizen” should do” (p.115).