Transcript Chapter_1
Chapter One The Foundations of American Government What is politics? • Chapter One • David Easton – “the authoritative allocation of values” • Harold Lasswell – “who gets what, when and how.” • most definitions refer to the struggle over the distribution of benefits What is Government? • a permanent structure of decision makers • who make society’s rules about conflict resolution • and who make rules about the allocation of resources and who possess the power to enforce those rule Why Do We Need Government? • to provide structure for conflict resolution • to provide public services • to establish and implement public policies Who Governs? • totalitarian regime – rule by a small group or an individual dictator. • oligarchy—rule by a few elites, who make decisions to benefit their own group • aristocracy – rule by the best suited, through virtue, talent or education (now means rule by the upper class) • anarchy – having no government or laws • democracy – political power is vested in the people Principles of American Democracy • universal suffrage • majority rule • limited government • popular sovereignty Do we have a democracy? • elite theory – the idea that society is ruled by a small group who exercise power in their self-interest • pluralism – a theory that views politics as conflict among interest groups, where decisions are made through bargaining and compromise • hyperpluralism – when interest groups are so powerful that they dominate decision-making, making individual input impossible What is Political Culture? • the collection of a beliefs and attitudes toward government and the political process held by a community or nation • individuals learn political culture through political socialization • political socialization occurs in many settings, including the family and schools The Fundamental Values of American political culture • liberty –the greatest freedom of individuals that is consistent with the freedom of other individuals in society • equality – all people are of equal worth • property – anything that can be subject to ownership Political Ideology • A set of beliefs about the goal of politics and the most desirable political order. • Ideologue: A person who believes strongly about how government should operate. • They can be placed on a continuum… Hot Links to Selected Internet Resources: • http://www.wadsworth.com/cgiwadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M2&discipline_number=20& product_isbn_issn=0534592651 • http://www.wadsworth.com/politicalscience • http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/govweb.html • http://www.puaf.umd.edu/IPPP