agenda announcements: – hw: ce #1 due, ch. 2 rdg., const. scav. hunt colbert clip current event...
TRANSCRIPT
Agenda• Announcements:
– HW: CE #1 due, Ch. 2 Rdg., Const. Scav. Hunt• Colbert Clip• Current Event G.R.R.• Individual/Group Work • Notes• Analyzing Locke/D.O.I (Locke Article?)• Finish Notes• Defining America’s Core Values
States’ Voter I.D. Requirements pre-Shelby Co. v. Holder
Daily Show Discusses "R-Word" in America
CBS News: N.C. Proposed Voting Laws
Interactive Voting Rights Map
Foundations of Government
“There has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free.”
Thomas Jefferson
Government & Our Lives
• How does government impact your life?
• Why participate?– Those who participate in the political process are
more likely to benefit from government programs & policies…Why?
– For Your Own Good
Activity: Step 1
• Define the following terms…in your own words:– Democracy– Government– Politics– Political Power– Policy Agenda– Policy– Linkage Institution
Activity: Step 2
• Form a small group of 2-3 people and refine definitions. Come up with the best possible meaning for each term.
What is Democracy?
• Democracy: Govt. in which supreme power is vested in the people… – Means of organizing govt so policy represents &
responds to the public’s preferences
• Founders distrust of democracy led to– Indirect Democracy: People elect representatives
to rule in their interest– Why?
What is Government?• Govt: The institutions & processes thru which
public policies are made for society
• How should we govern?
• What should government do?– Maintain National Defense– Provide Public Services
• Public Goods: Services that everyone shares; can’t be denied (use of highways, clean air & water)
– Preserve Order– Collect Taxes
What is Politics?
• Politics: process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue.– Who gets what, when, where, & why
• Political Participation in U.S.– U.S. one of lowest voter participation rates in World
• Why?– How can you participate? – U.S. voters: distorted sample…who makes up the voting
bloc?• Elderly, Strong Party Affiliation, High SES
What Is Policy?• Political Power:
– power used to determine who will hold office and how the govt will behave.
• Policy: What Government Does…– Government + Politics = Policy
• Policy Agenda:– Issues that attract the attention of public officials
• Linkage Institution– Parties, Elections, Interest Groups, & Media… connect people to
government/policy makers
• Policymaking Institutions?: – Legislature, Executive, Courts, & Bureaucracy
Roots of American Government
• Influences:– Greeks: Idea of direct democracy with many
people involved. The polis.– Enlightenment-the idea that government should
rely on the consent of the people• New Concepts: Social compacts about self-govt• New Concept: People have natural rights
Roots of American Government• Historical Documents
– Magna Carta (1215): Estbl. idea that the power of the monarch is not absolute and there are fundamental rights held by everyone.
– Mayflower Compact (1620): Idea of colonial self-government
– Petition of Rights (1628): challenged the idea of divine right and said the monarch had to obey the laws of the land.
– English Bill of Rights (1688): William and Mary of Orange signed this and made representative govt. supreme
Roots of American Government• Hobbes & Locke
– Hobbes• People naturally fight so need govt
for protection (stability)• Social Contract
– Locke:• Govt’s purpose is to reserve and
protect people’s inalienable rights/property
• Separation of Powers
– Montesquieu: • Separation of Powers
Locke & U.S. Government
• Influence on Govt.– Govt. w/ consent of
people– 3 fn. of govt.—laws,
settle disputes, execute laws (sep. of powers)
– Limited Government– Supreme power in the
legislator
• Influence on D.O.I– Govt. w/ consent of
people– Natural Rights– Right to overthrow
unjust/despotic governments
Jefferson & D.O.I
• What’s Jefferson’s goal in listing abuses by King George (& Parliament)?
• Abuses– 1-12: King George’s Estbl. of Tyrannical Rule in
Place of Representative Govt.– 13-22: Involvement of Parliament in Destroying
Self Rule (“King combined w/ others to…”– 23-27: Specific Actions King George Took to
Abandon Colonies/Wage War
Who Governs: Theories• Elite Theory: A small # of rich, powerful people
make the decisions; thus, it’s rarely responsive to the will of the people. – There is an identifiable group with a disproportionate
share of power. Elite = powerful..
• Pluralism: So many groups vying for resources, it’s impossible for any one group to win…thus, there is compromise. More than one interest supports a decision/action.
• Hyperpluralism: Too many groups to make any form of compromise → political gridlock.
Responsibilities of Government
• Guarantees by National Government to States– Why? – A representative, republican form of govt.– Protect against invasion and domestic violence– Respect the boundaries– Admit new states-Manifest Destiny
Responsibilities of Government
Clauses Establishing Federal Government• Full Faith & Credit Clause:
– Each State has to honor the civil rulings and laws from other states; doesn’t apply to criminal matters.
• Supremacy Clause: – Sets up the hierarchy w/ the U.S. Constitution at the
top. • Necessary & Proper Clause:
– Congress shall have power to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all other powers vested by Constitution in the government.