Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American...
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Transcript of Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics and government. American...
Introduction Politics and government matter. Americans are apathetic about politics
and government. American youth are not likely to be
informed about government and politics and rarely participate in politics.
Volunteerism among young Americans in civil society has increased.
Introduction
Types of Political Knowledgeand the Analytical ProcessPolitical analysis attempts to answer the what, why and
how questions about politics. Description
-The “what” questions based on facts Explanation
-The “why” and “how” something happens Prediction --the effects of decisions and non-decisions
Prescription-Value statement of what “should be done”
Scientific Knowledge Science - uses methods that allow people to
agree on results Search for regularities
Patterns or correlations Empirical
Observable or measurable Cumulative
Builds on previous foundation Testable
Others can evaluate and repeat analysis
Weber’s classification of types of authority:
Type Basis Example
Traditional Custom and Monarchy established way of
doing things
Charismatic intense commitment Many revolutionary to the leader and his leaders message
Legal-Rational rules and procedures bureaucracy; merit not connectionsRepresentative the office, not the persondemocracy
Legitimacy: rightful authority to rule—individuals within a state recognize the government’s right to make collective decisions; Today: legal and psychological right to govern
Politics Definition:
Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they produce—politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.
The process of deciding who benefits and who is excluded from benefiting in society.
Also consider Lasswell’s definition: Who gets what, when and how.
The Policymaking System
The process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time
Figure 1.4
Linkage Institutions Definition: Linkage institutions are the
political channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the policy agenda. Political Parties Elections News & Entertainment Media Interest Groups
Government Definition: Government is the institutions
and processes through which public policies are made for society.
This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern? What should government do?
Governments typically maintain a national defense, provide services, collect taxes, and preserve order.
Policymaking Institutions Definition: Policymaking institutions are
the branches of government charged with taking action on political issues. Legislature (Congress) Executive (Presidency)
Bureaucracies (Federal and State) Courts (Federal and State)
Policies Impact People
Public Policy: a choice that government makes in response to a political issue
Typesof
Governments:
Who Governs?
Monarchy:
A king or queen has absolute authority
over a territory and its government.
Oligarchy:
Only an elite few hold power.
Democracy:
The supreme power of governance
lies in the hands of citizens.
Typesof
Governments:
Functionand
Structure?
Totalitarianism:
A tyrannical government structure which
controls every aspect of their citizens’ lives.
Authoritarianism:
A government which holds strong powers,
but which is checked by other forces in society.
Constitutionalism:
A form of government structured by law
which provides for limited government.
Functions of Government Security Mediation Provision of public goods Allocation of resources To raise and spend money; control of
money supply Political socialization
U.S. and Capitalism Economic system characteristic of
a. private property b. free market with limited gov’t
interventionc. economic output determined by supply and demand
General Philosophy of Liberals and
ConservativesLiberals:1. More governmental regulation of economy2. More policies to help disadvantaged groups3. More policies to redistribute incomeConservatives:4. Fewer governmental regulations, more reliance on
market5. Fewer policies in the name of disadvantaged
groups6. Fewer tax laws that discourage business growth