The Political Landscape

1
The Political Landscape

• Chapter 1
• OConnor and Sabato
• American Government
• Continuity and Change

2
The Political Landscape

• In this chapter we will cover
• The Roots of American Government
• The Theory of Democratic Government
• Characteristics of American Democracy
• American Political Culture and the American
  People
• Ideology of Americans
• Views of Government

3
The Roots of American Government

• Aristotle and the Greeks articulated the idea of
  natural law.
• Society should be governed by ethical principles
  that are part of nature and can be understood
  through reason.
• Government before had been by divine right, but
  these philosophical changes put humans on the
  road toward self government.

4
Popular Consent

• Social Contract Theory
• People are source of power
• People give consent to government to rule
• Government provides protection of natural rights

5
Founding a New System

• At the time of the founding of our nation several
  forms of governments existed
• Monarchy
• Oligarchy
• Aristocracy

All are based on elite rule and give few rights
to the people who live under them.
The colonists did not want to live under the
systems they had suffered under in the Old World
so they established a new system democracy.
6
The Theory of Democratic Government

• Direct democracy
• Indirect democracy
• Republic

7
Direct Democracy

• A system in which all come together periodically
  to discuss policy and abide by majority rule.
• New England town meeting

8
Indirect Democracy

• A system of government that allows citizens to
  vote for representatives who will work on their
  behalf.

9
Republic

• A government rooted in the consent of the
  governed.

10
The Economic System

• Capitalism
• private ownership of property
• free market economy (laissez-faire)

11
Characteristics of American Democracy

1. popular consent
2. popular sovereignty
3. majority rule
4. individualism
5. equality
6. personal liberty

12
American Political Culture and the American People

• Population of the United States
• July 1, 1900 there were 76,094,000
• Today there are over 293,656,000
• One birth every.................................7.
  8 seconds
• One death every..................................
  14 seconds
• One international migrant (net) every............
  14 seconds
• One Federal U.S. citizen (net) returning
  every...2891 seconds
• Net gain of one person every.....................
  13 seconds
• Source U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division

13
Changing Demographics

• Not only are we bigger we are also more diverse.
• In colonial times most Americans were
  Anglo-Saxon.
• In 2000, the U.S. population was made up of
• whites 69.1
• African Americans 12.1
• Hispanics 12.5
• Asian 3.6

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15
Graying of America

• In 2011, the baby boom generation will begin to
  turn 65, and by 2030, it is projected that one in
  five people will be age 65 or older.

• The growth of the population age 65 and older
  will affect every aspect of our society,
  presenting challenges as well as opportunities to
  policymakers, families, businesses, and health
  care providers.

16
Ideology of Americans

• Political ideology is an individuals coherent
  set of values and beliefs about the scope and
  purpose of government.

17
Ideology of Americans

• Conservativism thought to believe that a
  government is best that governs least and that
  big government can only infringe on individual,
  personal, and economic rights.

18
Ideology of Americans

• Liberalism thought to favor government
  involvement in the economy and the provision of
  social services and to take an activist role in
  protecting women, the elderly, minorities, and
  the environment.

19
Ideology of Americans

• Libertarianism thought to favor a free market
  economy and no governmental interference in
  personal liberties.

20
Views of Government

• Our ideology and experiences greatly affect how
  we view our government.
• It is part of our culture to expect negative
  campaigns, dishonest politicians, and political
  pundits who bash our leaders and institutions.
• Looking at our government in such a light leads
  many to remain uninformed and pessimistic.

21
High Expectations and No Appreciation of the Good

• Americans expect more and more from their
  government.
• Many Americans do not know what government
  actually does for them.
• Regulation of airwaves for TV and Radio
• Clean water
• FDA inspections
• Air Traffic Control