chapter 13 politics in the united states. introduction viewing american politics with a special...
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Chapter 13Chapter 13
Politics in the United Politics in the United StatesStates
IntroductionIntroduction
Viewing American politics with a Viewing American politics with a special focus on how it resembles special focus on how it resembles and differs from politics in other and differs from politics in other nations will allow us to better nations will allow us to better understand the U.S. political systemunderstand the U.S. political system
Key StatisticsKey Statistics
Population: 300 millionPopulation: 300 million Territory: 3,475,031 sq. milesTerritory: 3,475,031 sq. miles Independence: 1776; Constitution: 1789Independence: 1776; Constitution: 1789 Head of State/Head of Government: Head of State/Head of Government:
President George W. BushPresident George W. Bush Languages: English & SpanishLanguages: English & Spanish Religion: 56% Protestant, 28% Catholic, Religion: 56% Protestant, 28% Catholic,
2% Muslim, 2% Mormon, 2% Jewish, 10% 2% Muslim, 2% Mormon, 2% Jewish, 10% NoneNone
Current Policy ChallengesCurrent Policy Challenges
War on Terror – no clear cut enemyWar on Terror – no clear cut enemy Economic RecessionEconomic Recession Socioeconomic Status/ Social Issues faced by African-Socioeconomic Status/ Social Issues faced by African-
Americans and Hispanic AmericansAmericans and Hispanic Americans ““War on Drugs”War on Drugs” Environmental Issues/ Global WarmingEnvironmental Issues/ Global Warming Education – National TestingEducation – National Testing ImmigrationImmigration Foreign Policy – “Bush Doctrine” – preemptive strike in the Foreign Policy – “Bush Doctrine” – preemptive strike in the
wake of 9/11, in particular to thwart the possible use of wake of 9/11, in particular to thwart the possible use of WMD’sWMD’s
War in Iraq (Acting unilaterally, without UN support)War in Iraq (Acting unilaterally, without UN support)
Bush PolicyBush Policy
Patriot ActPatriot Act ““No Child Left Behind” NCLBNo Child Left Behind” NCLB Running large deficits in the national Running large deficits in the national
budgetbudget Right-wing Christian fundamentalist Right-wing Christian fundamentalist
resurgenceresurgence Tax cut – in particular for the wealthyTax cut – in particular for the wealthy Increased size of federal government more Increased size of federal government more
than any president in U.S. historythan any president in U.S. history
U.S. HistoryU.S. History
Oldest standing constitutionOldest standing constitution Democratic Party is the oldest active Democratic Party is the oldest active
political party in the worldpolitical party in the world Civil War was the watershed event in Civil War was the watershed event in
solidifying the U.S. political system solidifying the U.S. political system (14 Amendment, citizens of U.S. first, (14 Amendment, citizens of U.S. first, then the states)then the states)
GeographyGeography
Bordered by Atlantic Ocean (East), Bordered by Atlantic Ocean (East), Pacific Ocean (West), Canada Pacific Ocean (West), Canada (North), and Mexico (South)(North), and Mexico (South)
This secluded geographic position led This secluded geographic position led to the practice of isolationism in to the practice of isolationism in foreign policy through the 19foreign policy through the 19thth centurycentury
PopulationPopulation
300 million300 million 3 waves of immigration3 waves of immigration
1. 1840-1860 (Western Europe/Scandinavia1. 1840-1860 (Western Europe/Scandinavia
2. 1870-1920 (Asia/Eastern Europe)2. 1870-1920 (Asia/Eastern Europe)
3. 1945-Present (Latin America/Asia)3. 1945-Present (Latin America/Asia)
EconomyEconomy World’s largest economy, GNP of $9.9 trillion in 2000World’s largest economy, GNP of $9.9 trillion in 2000 America has become largest debtor nationAmerica has become largest debtor nation
1. Americans buy more foreign goods than foreigners by 1. Americans buy more foreign goods than foreigners by U.S. U.S. goodsgoods
2. Federal government operates enormous deficits in the 2. Federal government operates enormous deficits in the federal budget.federal budget.
American government subsidizes many American American government subsidizes many American businessesbusinesses
American government pays for research, design, American government pays for research, design, production, and marketing in many areas and allows for production, and marketing in many areas and allows for access to this research for freeaccess to this research for free
Tariffs & Import QuotasTariffs & Import Quotas Minimum WageMinimum Wage
Constitutional SystemConstitutional System
Bill of Rights – secures civil liberties, Bill of Rights – secures civil liberties, due process, and individual rightsdue process, and individual rights
Federalism – government powers Federalism – government powers divided among national, state, and divided among national, state, and local governmentslocal governments
Constitution continuedConstitution continued
Powers Assigned to Federal Powers Assigned to Federal Gov’tGov’t
1.1. Declare WarDeclare War
2.2. Make Treaties with Foreign NationsMake Treaties with Foreign Nations
3.3. Coin MoneyCoin Money
4.4. Regulate Commerce between statesRegulate Commerce between states
Constitution continuedConstitution continued
Powers Assigned to States by Powers Assigned to States by 1010thth Amendment Amendment
1.1. EducationEducation
2.2. Marriage/DivorceMarriage/Divorce
3.3. Intrastate CommerceIntrastate Commerce
4.4. Regulation of Motor VehiclesRegulation of Motor Vehicles
5.5. Federal grant moneys limit states Federal grant moneys limit states authority by determining how money is authority by determining how money is spentspent
Constitution continuedConstitution continued
Powers that can be exercised Powers that can be exercised by both Federal & State by both Federal & State GovernmentGovernment
1.1. Imposing TaxesImposing Taxes
2.2. Defining & Punishing CrimesDefining & Punishing Crimes
3.3. Supreme Court decides which acts of the Supreme Court decides which acts of the federal government & state governments federal government & state governments are within their powersare within their powers
Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers
““Presidential Democracy”Presidential Democracy” System of Checks & BalancesSystem of Checks & Balances Legislative Power – CongressLegislative Power – Congress Judicial Power – Federal CourtsJudicial Power – Federal Courts Executive Power – Office of the Executive Power – Office of the
PresidentPresident See Figure 13.2See Figure 13.2
Constitution continuedConstitution continued Article I, Section 6 – “No person can hold any Article I, Section 6 – “No person can hold any
office in the U.S., while serving as a member of office in the U.S., while serving as a member of either House” (Separation of Powers as opposed either House” (Separation of Powers as opposed to fusion-of-powers, Great Britain & Germany)to fusion-of-powers, Great Britain & Germany)
Member of the House – two-year term(unlimited)Member of the House – two-year term(unlimited) Member of the Senate – six-year term (unlimited), Member of the Senate – six-year term (unlimited),
1/3 of the Senate up for election every two years)1/3 of the Senate up for election every two years) Electoral College – selects presidentElectoral College – selects president Federal Judges appointed by President, approved Federal Judges appointed by President, approved
by the Senateby the Senate Judicial ReviewJudicial Review
Political CulturePolitical Culture
Melting Pot vs. Patchwork QuiltMelting Pot vs. Patchwork Quilt Trust in Government – Skeptical Trust in Government – Skeptical
about politiciansabout politicians Love for country (Patriotism); distrust Love for country (Patriotism); distrust
of political office/officialsof political office/officials Politically efficaciousPolitically efficacious Litigiousness of SocietyLitigiousness of Society
Political SocializationPolitical Socialization
FamilyFamily SchoolSchool Mass media – “scarcity doctrine” – Mass media – “scarcity doctrine” –
print media is not regulated, print media is not regulated, however, broadcast media is limited however, broadcast media is limited in nature therefore it is regulated in nature therefore it is regulated and monitored with greater scrutinyand monitored with greater scrutiny
Social groups/relationshipsSocial groups/relationships
Political ParticipationPolitical Participation
Voter turnout – relatively poor in the Voter turnout – relatively poor in the U.S. compared to other advanced U.S. compared to other advanced democraciesdemocracies
Voter registrationVoter registration Campaign ActivityCampaign Activity Communal ActivityCommunal Activity Protest ActivityProtest Activity Table 13.4, pg.427Table 13.4, pg.427
Recruitment of LeadersRecruitment of Leaders
Middle & Upper class of social ladderMiddle & Upper class of social ladder Well educatedWell educated Look & Sound good on TVLook & Sound good on TV
Unique Direct PrimaryUnique Direct Primary
Candidate Selection – Who party members Candidate Selection – Who party members will campaign for and supportwill campaign for and support
Nomination – Who party will officially Nomination – Who party will officially nominatenominate
Election – process of voters registering Election – process of voters registering their choices among the nomineestheir choices among the nominees
Direct Primaries – candidates selected Direct Primaries – candidates selected directly by voters in government electionsdirectly by voters in government elections
PrimariesPrimaries Closed Closed – only persons registered as – only persons registered as
members of a particular party can vote in members of a particular party can vote in a primary (25 states)a primary (25 states)
Crossover Crossover – voters do not have to choose – voters do not have to choose a party to vote for until election day. (14 a party to vote for until election day. (14 states)states)
Open Open – voter’s can vote in whichever – voter’s can vote in whichever party primary they choose without party primary they choose without disclosing affiliationdisclosing affiliation
Blanket Blanket – voters can switch back and – voters can switch back and forth between parties in voting without forth between parties in voting without disclosing the switchdisclosing the switch
Interest Articulation:Interest Articulation:PAC’sPAC’s
They support or oppose candidates They support or oppose candidates nominated by partiesnominated by parties
Mainly interested in public policies Mainly interested in public policies elected officials draw up and passelected officials draw up and pass
Greatest increase in PAC’s have Greatest increase in PAC’s have come since 1974come since 1974
NRA largest campaign contributing NRA largest campaign contributing PAC, more than $14 millionPAC, more than $14 million
Over 4,000 PAC’s in the U.S.Over 4,000 PAC’s in the U.S.
PAC’sPAC’s
1.1. Narrow Material Interest PAC’s Narrow Material Interest PAC’s – back – back candidates that support legislation that favors a candidates that support legislation that favors a particular business or company (ie. Chrysler, particular business or company (ie. Chrysler, GE, Texaco, Coca-Cola)GE, Texaco, Coca-Cola)
2.2. Single, nonmaterial Interest PAC’s Single, nonmaterial Interest PAC’s – support – support candidates who support their nonmaterial candidates who support their nonmaterial issues (ie. NRA, National Right to Life issues (ie. NRA, National Right to Life Committee, Abortion Rights Action League)Committee, Abortion Rights Action League)
3.3. Ideological PAC’sIdeological PAC’s – support candidates – support candidates committed to certain ideology. (ie. National committed to certain ideology. (ie. National Committee for Effective Congress (Liberal), Committee for Effective Congress (Liberal), National Conservative Political Action National Conservative Political Action Committee (Conservative) )Committee (Conservative) )
Pressure GroupsPressure Groups
LobbyistsLobbyists
LitigationLitigation
Special Characteristics of American Political Special Characteristics of American Political PartiesParties
Two-Party System (Democrats vs. Republicans)Two-Party System (Democrats vs. Republicans)
““Americanization” of Electioneering (TV debates & Americanization” of Electioneering (TV debates & Advertisements, Canvassing voters, polling citizens)Advertisements, Canvassing voters, polling citizens)
Low Cohesion amongst party membersLow Cohesion amongst party members
Weak Discipline – neither president nor party congressional Weak Discipline – neither president nor party congressional leaders have any effective power over party members in leaders have any effective power over party members in Congress or at the state & local level to compel them to Congress or at the state & local level to compel them to vote one way or anothervote one way or another
Divided Party Control of Government (Ticket-Splitting)Divided Party Control of Government (Ticket-Splitting)
Decentralized OrganizationDecentralized Organization– Stratarchies (National, State, Local)Stratarchies (National, State, Local)
National LevelNational Level
Presidential PartyPresidential Party
Congressional PartyCongressional Party
State LevelState Level
Gubernatorial PartyGubernatorial Party
Legislative PartyLegislative Party
Local LevelLocal Level
Congressional District CommitteesCongressional District Committees County CommitteesCounty Committees City CommitteesCity Committees Wards/Precinct CommitteesWards/Precinct Committees
Policymaking in AmericaPolicymaking in America
Checks & BalancesChecks & Balances DeadlocksDeadlocks Coalition BuildingCoalition Building ““Government is a powerful and dangerous Government is a powerful and dangerous
institution created by fallible human institution created by fallible human beings. Its primary objective – its only beings. Its primary objective – its only legitimate reason for existing and being legitimate reason for existing and being obeyed – is to secure every person’s God-obeyed – is to secure every person’s God-given right to life, liberty, and property.”given right to life, liberty, and property.”
Policy PerformancePolicy Performance
Tax Policies Tax Policies – Federal government collects 62% of all – Federal government collects 62% of all taxes and 57% of revenues from all sources.taxes and 57% of revenues from all sources.-Progressive tax system that places heaviest burden on -Progressive tax system that places heaviest burden on those who can paythose who can pay
Distributive PerformanceDistributive Performance – Federal government spends – Federal government spends 56% of budget on social welfare functions, 19% on 56% of budget on social welfare functions, 19% on defense, 13% on national debt interest. (Education, 0.7%)defense, 13% on national debt interest. (Education, 0.7%)
Regulatory PerformanceRegulatory Performance1.1. Social InsuranceSocial Insurance2.2. EducationEducation3.3. Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection
– TABLE 13.8, pg.448TABLE 13.8, pg.448– HOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO OTHER NATIONSHOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO OTHER NATIONS