ORDERORDERVS.VS.

EQUALITYEQUALITYVSVS

FREEDOMFREEDOM

WHICH ONE IS MORE WHICH ONE IS MORE IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND

WHY?WHY?

WHY SHOULD THIS QUESTION EVEN MATTER TO ME?

MILLENNIAL GENERATIONMILLENNIAL GENERATION

What do the Millennial’s supposedly What do the Millennial’s supposedly support?support?Do you agree?Do you agree?

American youth are less likely to be American youth are less likely to be informed about government and politics informed about government and politics and participate less in politicsand participate less in politics

YouTube - Digital Age-Wll the Millennials Win It For Obama.url YouTube - Managing Millennials.url

The Political Disengagement of College Students Today

SINCE 9/11, COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE BECOME A BIT MORE INTERESTED IN POLITICS

THERE IS A GENERATIONAL THERE IS A GENERATIONAL POLITICAL KNOWLEDGEPOLITICAL KNOWLEDGE

Presidential Election Turnout Rates Presidential Election Turnout Rates by Ageby Age

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTEWHY SHOULD PEOPLE VOTEThose who participate in the political Those who participate in the political

process are more likely to benefit from process are more likely to benefit from gov’t programs and policiesgov’t programs and policies It is true that the elderly have more political It is true that the elderly have more political

clout than young people clout than young people Old people voteOld people vote

Voter turnout for people under the age of Voter turnout for people under the age of 25 has dropped from 50% in 1972 to 33% 25 has dropped from 50% in 1972 to 33% in 2000in 2000There has not been an event that youth have There has not been an event that youth have

wanted to pay attention to until 9/11wanted to pay attention to until 9/11

National Exit Polls - Election Center 2008 - Elections & Politics from CNN.com.url

AN UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHAN UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH

2/32/3rdsrds of a national sample reported that of a national sample reported that they they do notdo not understand government understand government

Sample of U.S. Immigration and NaturalizatiSample of U.S. Immigration and Naturalization teston test

Legitimacy: the degree to which a Legitimacy: the degree to which a political system is acceptedpolitical system is accepted

Problem: how can the U.S. political system Problem: how can the U.S. political system be legitimate, if 66.7% of the population be legitimate, if 66.7% of the population doesn’t understand their own gov’t?doesn’t understand their own gov’t?

YouTube - This is Democracy.url

GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENTGAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

YOU AND YOUR GOV’T DETERMINE WHETHER THIS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

Webcast (2).url

A SIMPLE FACT:A SIMPLE FACT:

Fact: the gov’t uses force to rule societyFact: the gov’t uses force to rule societyProblem: most people don’t like being Problem: most people don’t like being

controlledcontrolledAmericans cherish their FREEDOMAmericans cherish their FREEDOM

Problem: if the gov’t exists to control its Problem: if the gov’t exists to control its constituents, how can it maintain its constituents, how can it maintain its legitimacy?legitimacy?Answer: people surrender some of their Answer: people surrender some of their

FREEDOMS in order to obtain the benefits FREEDOMS in order to obtain the benefits offered by the gov’toffered by the gov’t

NPR The Patriot Act Key Controversies.urlYouTube - September 11 Attacks - South Tower - Multiple News Networks.url YouTube - Guantanamo Bay - USA.url

GovernmentGovernment

Definition:Definition: The institutions and processes through which public The institutions and processes through which public

policies are made for societypolicies are made for society Legislative-makes the lawsLegislative-makes the laws Executive-enforces the lawsExecutive-enforces the laws Judicial-interprets the lawsJudicial-interprets the laws

This definition leads to two basic questions:This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern?How should we govern?

Ideal vs. Real DemocracyIdeal vs. Real Democracy

What should government do?What should government do? Does gov’t do what we want it to do?Does gov’t do what we want it to do?

YouTube - Founding Fathers The Threat of Tyranny.url

PoliticsPoliticsDefinition:Definition:

The process by which we select our governmental The process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders produceleaders and what policies these leaders producePolitics produces authoritative decisions about public Politics produces authoritative decisions about public

issuesissues

Also consider Harold D. Lasswell’s definition:Also consider Harold D. Lasswell’s definition:WhoWho gets gets what, when,what, when, and and howhow

Who-voters, politicians, interest groupsWho-voters, politicians, interest groups Income, safety, and deference drives politicsIncome, safety, and deference drives politics Only a minority of people get what they want.Only a minority of people get what they want.

What-substance of politics and gov’t (issues)What-substance of politics and gov’t (issues)How-voting, compromising, and lobbyingHow-voting, compromising, and lobbying

Political participation and single-issue groups (NRA)Political participation and single-issue groups (NRA)

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE(S) OF WHAT IS THE PURPOSE(S) OF GOV’T?GOV’T?

The gov’t is held responsible for the The gov’t is held responsible for the following:following:Maintaining ORDERMaintaining ORDERPromoting EQUALITYPromoting EQUALITY

Provide PUBLIC GOODSProvide PUBLIC GOODS

Protecting Americans’ FREEDOMProtecting Americans’ FREEDOM

DILEMMA THE GOV’T FACESDILEMMA THE GOV’T FACES

All gov’t policies reinforce certain norms at the All gov’t policies reinforce certain norms at the expense of othersexpense of others FREEDOM-nation defense, collect taxesFREEDOM-nation defense, collect taxes ORDER-national defense ($400 billion a year), collect ORDER-national defense ($400 billion a year), collect

taxestaxes EQUALITY-national defense, collect taxesEQUALITY-national defense, collect taxes

Which one do you feel the gov’t needs to focus Which one do you feel the gov’t needs to focus on promoting, if you had to pick one?on promoting, if you had to pick one? Explain which one is the most important to you in a Explain which one is the most important to you in a

one page written explanationone page written explanation

ORDERORDER ORDER: establishing the rule of law to preserve life and to ORDER: establishing the rule of law to preserve life and to

protect propertyprotect property This is the oldest objective of gov’tThis is the oldest objective of gov’t

Thomas Hobbes (1651) believes life without gov’t would Thomas Hobbes (1651) believes life without gov’t would create a society existing in a “create a society existing in a “State of NatureState of Nature.”.” Social Contract: people give up some rights to a gov’t in order to Social Contract: people give up some rights to a gov’t in order to

receive social orderreceive social order The contract was irrevocable and humans are selfishThe contract was irrevocable and humans are selfish Hobbes believed there is a “war of all against all.”Hobbes believed there is a “war of all against all.”

John Locke (1690) believes unlimited gov’t leads to abuses, John Locke (1690) believes unlimited gov’t leads to abuses, and the gov’t should be and the gov’t should be fromfrom the people the people Gov’t needs to protect peoples’ “natural rights” of life, liberty, and Gov’t needs to protect peoples’ “natural rights” of life, liberty, and

prosperityprosperity These ideas are found in the Declaration of Independence These ideas are found in the Declaration of Independence

If the state turned itself into a tyranny, Locke argued in favor of a right If the state turned itself into a tyranny, Locke argued in favor of a right of rebellionof rebellion

Locke believed human nature is characterized by reason and toleranceLocke believed human nature is characterized by reason and tolerance He also believed the contract could be brokenHe also believed the contract could be broken

Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison regarded Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison regarded Locke’s ideas as political truthsLocke’s ideas as political truths

EQUALITYEQUALITY

EQUALITY: gov’t should provide everyone EQUALITY: gov’t should provide everyone with equal opportunitieswith equal opportunitiesThis is the newest objective of gov’t and is This is the newest objective of gov’t and is

extremely controversialextremely controversialPromoting EQUALITY became an objective of Promoting EQUALITY became an objective of

gov’t during the Great Depression (started in 1929 gov’t during the Great Depression (started in 1929 when the stock market crashed)when the stock market crashed)

Social Security, Medicaid (poor), Medicare (elderly)Social Security, Medicaid (poor), Medicare (elderly)

How does the gov’t accomplish this task?How does the gov’t accomplish this task?Answer: take from the rich and give to the Answer: take from the rich and give to the

poorpoor

PROVIDING PUBLIC GOODSPROVIDING PUBLIC GOODS

PROVIDING PUBLIC GOODS: benefits PROVIDING PUBLIC GOODS: benefits and services that are available to and services that are available to everyoneeveryoneExample: roads, schools, and someday it Example: roads, schools, and someday it

might include healthcare for allmight include healthcare for allBasically, it’s an extension of promoting Basically, it’s an extension of promoting

EQUALITYEQUALITY

FREEDOMFREEDOM

FREEDOM: a measure of the number of things a FREEDOM: a measure of the number of things a person can do without interferenceperson can do without interference

There are two types of FREEDOMS that exist:There are two types of FREEDOMS that exist: FREEDOM TO: is the absence of constraints on FREEDOM TO: is the absence of constraints on

behavior behavior Example: FREEDOM of SpeechExample: FREEDOM of Speech

FREEDOM FROM: often symbolizes the fight against FREEDOM FROM: often symbolizes the fight against exploitation and oppressionexploitation and oppression

Example: FREEDOM from ReligionExample: FREEDOM from Religion

Could to much FREEDOM be harmful?Could to much FREEDOM be harmful?

watch-v=NKDTCgqYK1Y&feature=related.url

WHAT DO AMERICANS VALUE?WHAT DO AMERICANS VALUE?

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

FREEDOM

ORDER

EQUALITY

59% of Americans say they are happy with the U.S. gov’t although 2/3rds of Americans really don’t understand gov’t

DILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACESDILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACES

FREEDOM vs. ORDERFREEDOM vs. ORDERShould the military be forced to allow Should the military be forced to allow

homosexuals in the military?homosexuals in the military?Should the gov’t (state or federal) be forced to Should the gov’t (state or federal) be forced to

allow homosexuals to get married or disallow allow homosexuals to get married or disallow gay marriage?gay marriage?

Korematsu vs. U.S.Korematsu vs. U.S.The Patriot ActThe Patriot ActFahrenheit 9/11Fahrenheit 9/11

DILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACESDILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACES

FREEDOM vs. EQUALITYFREEDOM vs. EQUALITY Should the gov’t be able to force businesses and Should the gov’t be able to force businesses and

colleges to take special steps to ensure that minorities colleges to take special steps to ensure that minorities are hired and/or accepted into college?are hired and/or accepted into college?

Should the gov’t be able to tax your earnings and use Should the gov’t be able to tax your earnings and use that money to help a person that is on welfare that money to help a person that is on welfare

What if that welfare recipient continues to have children while What if that welfare recipient continues to have children while on welfare?on welfare?

Regents of the University of California vs. BakkeRegents of the University of California vs. Bakke

DILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACESDILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACES

ORDER vs. EQUALITYORDER vs. EQUALITYShould the KKK be able to have a parade Should the KKK be able to have a parade Should homosexuals be able to have a gay Should homosexuals be able to have a gay

paradeparadeHurley vs. Irish American GLIB AssociationHurley vs. Irish American GLIB AssociationGay-Straight Alliance meeting at schoolGay-Straight Alliance meeting at schoolBuck vs. BellBuck vs. Bell

WHAT DO DEMOCRATS VALUEWHAT DO DEMOCRATS VALUE

Conduct research on FDR, JFK and/or Bill Clinton, and Conduct research on FDR, JFK and/or Bill Clinton, and Democrats in generalDemocrats in general

EQUALITYEQUALITY

FREEDOMFREEDOM

ORDERORDER

WHAT DO REPUBLICANS VALUEWHAT DO REPUBLICANS VALUE

Conduct research on Warren Harding, Richard Nixon and/or Conduct research on Warren Harding, Richard Nixon and/or George W. Bush, and the Republicans in general George W. Bush, and the Republicans in general

ORDERORDER

FREEDOMFREEDOM

EQUALITYEQUALITY

DILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACESDILEMMAS THE GOV’T FACES

Write down two of your own example of Write down two of your own example of dilemmas the gov’t faces for each of the dilemmas the gov’t faces for each of the following:following:FREEDOM vs. ORDERFREEDOM vs. ORDERFREEDOM vs. EQUALITYFREEDOM vs. EQUALITYORDER vs. EQUALITYORDER vs. EQUALITY

We will discuss each one in classWe will discuss each one in class

ORDER, EQUALITY, FREEDOM; ORDER, EQUALITY, FREEDOM; WHICH ONE MATTERS TO YOU?WHICH ONE MATTERS TO YOU?Pick the one you feel is the most important Pick the one you feel is the most important

and explain why in a 2 page hand-written and explain why in a 2 page hand-written explanationexplanationWork with like minded individuals and do your Work with like minded individuals and do your

best to convince your fellow classmatesbest to convince your fellow classmatesYou will read this in front of the class, and the You will read this in front of the class, and the

group with the most convincing argument, in group with the most convincing argument, in support of their topic, will receive 10 bonus support of their topic, will receive 10 bonus ptspts

The assignment, itself, is worth 50 ptsThe assignment, itself, is worth 50 pts

The Policymaking SystemThe Policymaking SystemThe process by which policy comes into being and evolves over time

PeoplePeople

All Americans have the following:All Americans have the following: InterestsInterestsProblemsProblemsConcernsConcerns

How citizens project these concerns into How citizens project these concerns into the political realm becomes the true artthe political realm becomes the true artMartin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream

speech!speech!

YouTube - Martin Luther King I have a dream.urlYouTube - Shirley Phelps-Roper on Fox News.url

Linkage InstitutionsLinkage Institutions

Definition: transmitting the preferences of Definition: transmitting the preferences of Americans to the policymakers in gov’tAmericans to the policymakers in gov’tPolitical PartiesPolitical PartiesElectionsElectionsNews & Entertainment MediaNews & Entertainment Media Interest GroupsInterest Groups

Pick a topic/issue you want the gov’t to support Pick a topic/issue you want the gov’t to support and find two interest group that would support your and find two interest group that would support your topic/issuetopic/issue

Policy AgendaPolicy Agenda Definition: consists of the issues that attract the Definition: consists of the issues that attract the

serious attention of public officials and other serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at any given people actively involved in politics at any given timetime

Political IssuesPolitical Issues These arise when people disagree about a problem These arise when people disagree about a problem

and how to fix it.and how to fix it. Some issues will be considered, and others will Some issues will be considered, and others will

not.not. If a politician wants to get elected again, he/she If a politician wants to get elected again, he/she

needs to pay attention to their constituentsneeds to pay attention to their constituents Dorgan, Pomeroy, Conrad, and a farm billDorgan, Pomeroy, Conrad, and a farm bill

A government’s policy agenda changes regularlyA government’s policy agenda changes regularly Bailout for many American businesses!Bailout for many American businesses!

YouTube - The Ripple Impact of the U.S. Automotive Industry.url YouTube - How the Automakers Got Themselves in Their Financial Mess and Will a Bail Out Really Help.url

Policymaking InstitutionsPolicymaking Institutions

These institutions have been created by These institutions have been created by the U.S. Constitutionthe U.S. ConstitutionLegislature (Congress)Legislature (Congress)Executive (President)Executive (President)Courts (Federal and State)Courts (Federal and State)

Bureaucracies (Federal and State)Bureaucracies (Federal and State)The fourth policy making institutionThe fourth policy making institution

Policy Impacts PeoplePolicy Impacts PeoplePublic policy: every law passed, budget established, and

ruling handed down

Policy Impacts PeoplePolicy Impacts People

Impacts of Policies:Impacts of Policies:Does it solve the problem?Does it solve the problem?Does it create more problems?Does it create more problems?

Policies can be established through Policies can be established through inactioninactionDoing nothing or nothing different can prove Doing nothing or nothing different can prove

to be a very consequential decisionto be a very consequential decisionExample: AIDS was considered a gay person’s Example: AIDS was considered a gay person’s

diseasediseaseYouTube - Bailout of Auto Industry - Lou Dobbs Interview with Ted Turner - 11-11-08.url

DemocracyDemocracy Definition:Definition:

A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferencespolicy represents and responds to the public’s preferences

The founding fathers were not fond of democracy, b/c many of The founding fathers were not fond of democracy, b/c many of them doubted the ability of ordinary Americans to make them doubted the ability of ordinary Americans to make informed judgments about what gov’t should doinformed judgments about what gov’t should do Roger Sherman, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, said the Roger Sherman, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, said the

people “should have as little to do as may be with the gov’t.”people “should have as little to do as may be with the gov’t.” Read Federalist #10Read Federalist #10 Article I Section 3-Senators chosen by the state legislaturesArticle I Section 3-Senators chosen by the state legislatures

Elected by the people b/c of the 17Elected by the people b/c of the 17 thth Amendment (1913) Amendment (1913) Article II Section I-electoral system established Article II Section I-electoral system established

An Ideal democratic process should satisfy the following five An Ideal democratic process should satisfy the following five criteria:criteria: Equality in voting-the principle of “one person, one vote” Equality in voting-the principle of “one person, one vote” (Wesberry v. Sanders-1964(Wesberry v. Sanders-1964))

Effective participation-citizens must have the chance to express their Effective participation-citizens must have the chance to express their preferences equallypreferences equally

Enlightened understanding-open creation and discussion of ideas by allEnlightened understanding-open creation and discussion of ideas by all Citizen control of the agenda-citizens should collectively control gov’t Citizen control of the agenda-citizens should collectively control gov’t

policiespolicies Inclusion-gov’t must include, and extend rights to, all those subject to its Inclusion-gov’t must include, and extend rights to, all those subject to its

lawslaws

Majority rules while protecting minority rights

YouTube - What is America's true form of government.url

Republic/Representative Gov’tRepublic/Representative Gov’tnot a so-called Democracynot a so-called Democracy

RepublicRepublic Definition: a form of gov’t in which sovereignty/power Definition: a form of gov’t in which sovereignty/power

rests with the people, who elect agents to rests with the people, who elect agents to represent/govern them in lawmaking and other represent/govern them in lawmaking and other decisionsdecisions

Read Federalist #10Read Federalist #10

Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy Definition: a form of gov’t in which representatives Definition: a form of gov’t in which representatives

elected by the people make and enforce laws and elected by the people make and enforce laws and policiespolicies

The people hold the ultimate power b/c the people get to The people hold the ultimate power b/c the people get to elect/re-elect the repselect/re-elect the reps

Challenges to DemocracyChallenges to Democracy

Increased Technical ExpertiseIncreased Technical ExpertiseLimited Participation in GovernmentLimited Participation in GovernmentEscalating Campaign CostsEscalating Campaign CostsDiverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)Diverse Political Interests (policy gridlock)

Questions About DemocracyQuestions About Democracy

Are the people knowledgeable- and do Are the people knowledgeable- and do they apply what they know?they apply what they know?

Do interest groups help the process, or do Do interest groups help the process, or do they get in the way?they get in the way?

Do political parties offer clear consistent Do political parties offer clear consistent choices for voters?choices for voters?

Does the President & Congress work in Does the President & Congress work in the best interests of the best interests of ALLALL the people? the people?

American IndividualismAmerican Individualism

Individualism is the belief that individuals Individualism is the belief that individuals should be left on their own by the should be left on their own by the government.government.

Individualism is highly valued in the United Individualism is highly valued in the United States with a strong preference for free States with a strong preference for free markets and limited government.markets and limited government.

Questions about the Scope of Questions about the Scope of GovernmentGovernment

How big a role does the Constitution say How big a role does the Constitution say should be played by the federal should be played by the federal government?government?

Does a bigger, more involved (active) Does a bigger, more involved (active) government limit the people’s freedoms?government limit the people’s freedoms?

Do we need a bigger, more involved Do we need a bigger, more involved government to protect our freedoms?government to protect our freedoms?

Questions about the Scope of Questions about the Scope of Government, continuedGovernment, continued

Do competing political parties make for Do competing political parties make for better policies?better policies?

Do more interest groups create a bigger Do more interest groups create a bigger government?government?

Does the media help control the size and Does the media help control the size and policies government?policies government?

Questions about the Scope of Questions about the Scope of Government, continuedGovernment, continued

Can the president control the government, Can the president control the government, or has it gotten too big?or has it gotten too big?

Can Congress respond to the needs of the Can Congress respond to the needs of the people, or just to the interest groups?people, or just to the interest groups?

Do members of Congress expand Do members of Congress expand government by seeking to be re-elected?government by seeking to be re-elected?

Questions about the Scope of Questions about the Scope of Government, continuedGovernment, continued

Do the federal courts overstep their Do the federal courts overstep their bounds and intrude on the powers of other bounds and intrude on the powers of other branches of government?branches of government?

Are the federal agencies too large and Are the federal agencies too large and unresponsive to the public they are unresponsive to the public they are supposed to serve?supposed to serve?

WHY STUDY GOV’T?WHY STUDY GOV’T?

If you don’t understand gov’t, you can’t If you don’t understand gov’t, you can’t take a legitimate part in gov’ttake a legitimate part in gov’t

Last but not least, why would you choose Last but not least, why would you choose not to have say in your future and the not to have say in your future and the future of the U.S.future of the U.S.Who gets elected often determines whether Who gets elected often determines whether

ORDER, FREEDOM, and/or EQUALITY will ORDER, FREEDOM, and/or EQUALITY will be the United State’s focus for the next four be the United State’s focus for the next four yearsyears

PICK A PARTY OR TWOPICK A PARTY OR TWO

Find out which party you like and research Find out which party you like and research a few other unique/odd partiesa few other unique/odd partiesVote SmartVote Smart

Research and pick the top two parties you Research and pick the top two parties you would be inclined to support and then pick would be inclined to support and then pick a third odd/unique party of interest.a third odd/unique party of interest.Explain each of the three party’s beliefs, what Explain each of the three party’s beliefs, what

they support/oppose, and why you think each they support/oppose, and why you think each party is important in the American political party is important in the American political realmrealm