chapter outline and learning objectives government –lo 1.1: describe the key functions of...

Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives

• Government– LO 1.1: Describe the key functions of

government and explain why they matter.• Politics

– LO 1.2: Define the various aspects of politics.


• The Policymaking System– LO 1.3: Assess how citizens can have an

impact on public policy and how policies can impact people.

• Democracy– LO 1.4: List the key principles of

democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.


• The Scope of Government in America– LO 1.5: Explain the debate in America over

the proper scope of government.

You have 7 minutes(Pick one)

LO 1.1

To Learning Objectives

Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America

• Government• Politics• The Policymaking System• Democracy• The Scope of Government in America• Summary

GovernmentLO 1.1: Describe the key functions of

government and explain why they matter.

Government makes public policies made for society. Governments perform 5 basic functions.

• Maintain a national defense.• Provide public services.• Preserve order.• Socialize the young.• Collect taxes.


LO 1.1


Define the various aspects of politics.

Politics is the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they pursue.

Harold Lasswell defines politics: who gets what, when, and how.


LO 1.2


People Shape Policy Policies Impact People


Policymaking Process

LO 1.3


The Policymaking System

Policies Impact People• Public policy is a choice that government makes in response to a

political issue.• Policy impacts are the effects a policy has on people and

problems.

LO 1.3


LO 1.3


DemocracyLO 1.4: List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice,

and challenges it faces today.

Traditional Democratic Theory Three Contemporary Theories of American

Democracy Challenges to Democracy American Political Culture and Democracy A Culture War? Preview Questions about Democracy


Democracy

Traditional Democratic Theory• Democracy is a system in which policy represents and responds

to the public’s preferences.• Five components of Traditional Democratic Theory are equality in

voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion.

LO 1.4


Democracy

Democracy is a system in which policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences

Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy• Pluralist Theory: politics is mainly a competition among

groups, each one pressing for its own preferred policies.• Groups must bargain and compromise to get policies.

LO 1.4


.

Democracy

Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)• Elite and Class Theory: societies are divided along class

lines and that an upper-class elite will rule.• Policies benefit those with money and power.

LO 1.4


Democracy

Three Contemporary Theories of American Democracy (cont.)• Hyperpluralism: competing groups are so strong that

government is weakened.• Confusing and contradictory policies result from politicians

trying to placate every group.

LO 1.4


Democracy

Challenges to Democracy• Increased complexity of issues make it harder for citizens to

make decisions.• Limited participation in government, especially voting.• Escalating campaign costs stop people from running for

office.• Diverse political interests result into policy gridlock.

LO 1.4


Democracy

American Political Culture and Democracy• Political culture is an overall set of values widely shared within a

society.• Five elements of American political culture are liberty,

egalitarianism, individualism, laissez-faire, and populism.

LO 1.4


LO 1.4


Democracy

A Culture War?• James Q. Wilson believes that America is a more polarized nation

today than at any time in living memory.• Other scholars believe that there is relatively little evidence of a

so-called culture war going on among ordinary American citizens.

LO 1.4


Culture War – A Myth That Polarizes America?

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_PoliticalCulture_v2.html

1Video: In Context



Scope of Government? Too Big?

The Scope of Government in America

How Active Is American Government?• Spends $3.8 trillion yearly.• Employs 2.8 million civilians and 1.4 million in the military.• It owns one-third of the land in the United States.• It occupies 2.6 billion square feet of office space.

LO 1.5


http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_IntroAmrGov_v2.html

1Video: In the Real World



http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MEDIA_1/polisci/presidency/Edwards_Ch01_Introducing_Government_in_America_Seg6_v2.html

1So What? Why You Need to Pay Attention to Politics?




The Scope of Government in America

Preview Questions about the Scope of Government• What role did the Constitution’s authors foresee for the

federal government?• Does the public favor a large, active government?• Is Congress too responsive to the demands of the public

and organized interests?


LO 1.1Summary

Describe the key functions of government and explain why they matter.• All governments perform include maintaining a national defense,

providing public services, preserving order, socializing the young, and collecting taxes.

• These functions matter because they impact our lives.



Which of the following is an example of a public good?

A. College education

B. Automobile insurance

C. Home ownership

D. National defense

LO 1.1


LO 1.2Summary

Define the various aspects of politics.• Politics determines who our leaders are and what policies they

pursue.• The who of politics is the voters, candidates, parties, and groups;

the what is the benefits and burdens of government; the how is the various ways in which people participate in politics.



Politics determines who we select as our governmental leaders and policies these leaders pursue.

A. who

B. what

C. when

D. how

LO 1.2


LO 1.3Summary

Assess how citizens can have an impact on public policy and how policies can impact people.• Citizens’ interests and concerns are transmitted through linkage

institutions to the policy agenda of the policymaking institutions.• The policies that are made then influence peoples’ lives.



All of the following are considered linkage institutions EXCEPT

A. the media.

B. interest groups.

C. political parties.

D. courts.

E. elections.

LO 1.3


LO 1.4Summary

List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.• Key principles of democracy are equality in voting, effective

participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion.


LO 1.4Summary

List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.• The theories regarding how democracy works in practice are the

pluralist theory, elitist and class theory, and hyperpluralist theory.


LO 1.4Summary

List the key principles of democracy, theories regarding how it works in practice, and challenges it faces today.• Challenges democracy faces today are complexity of issues

today, citizens’ limited participation, escalating campaign costs, and the policy gridlock resulting from diverse political interests.


LO 1.5Summary

Explain the debate in America over the proper scope of government.• Politicians debate if the scope of government responsibilities is

too vast, just about right, or not comprehensive enough.• This debate concerns whether the goals that are agreed to be

important are best achieved through government action or rather through means other than government.


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