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Chapter 1
Government
in America
“There has never been,
nor ever will be, a
people who are
politically ignorant
and free.”
-- T. Jefferson
Political Knowledge
• Fosters civic virtues (e.g. political tolerance)
• Helps ID beneficial policies and affects voting
• Promotes participation
> Young people score less than ½ on political
knowledge test as those 65+
Why are young people so deficient?
• Perception/reality of little policy impact
• Changes in media > multiplicity and
narrowcasting
• Diminished cultural interest contributes to
lack of political culture
• Busier
“Government”
• Institutions that make decisions
“HOW should we govern?”
“WHAT should government do?”
Functions of Government
• Maintain defense
• Provide services
• Preserve order
• Socialize the young
• Collect taxes
“Politics”
• Process whereby we select leaders & policies
• Political Participation: activities to influence
leaders and policies
– Voting is most common method
• Single-Issue Groups
Policymaking System
• How policy is made
• How does gov’t. know the interests and
priorities of people?
 Linkage Institutions
(parties, elections, Interest Groups, media,
activities/demonstrations, etc.)
POLICY AGENDA: priorities of gov’t. action(s)
“Democracy”
• Government that represents & responds to
public’s preferences
• Democratic Process:
– Equality in voting
– Effective participation
– Free Speech & Press
– Collective control of agenda
– Inclusion
Majority Rule
(policies should reflect will of majority)
vs.
Minority Rights
(restraints on the majority via rights of
minorities)
Who Really Governs?
• Pluralism: competing interest groups set
agenda and policy
• Elitism: small upper-class holds power and
makes policy
• Hyperpluralism: strong competing groups
cripple efficient governmental policy
Challenges to Democracy
•
•
•
•
Complex Issues
Limited participation
Escalating costs of campaigns
Diverse interests
– “Policy Gridlock”
Political Culture
• How is the U.S. a ‘Nation’?
– Shared beliefs and values
Liberty, Equality, Individualism,
Laissez-Faire, & Populism
Scope of American Government
U.S. governments spend ~1/3 of GDP
(nearly $4 trillion)
Employ ~24 million people
(~8% of population)
Differing opinions on the scope of government is
a source of continuing controversy