The Political Landscape
Chapter 1
OConnor and Sabato
American Government:
Continuity and Change
The Political Landscape
In this chapter we will cover
The Roots of American Government: Where Did the Ideas Come From?
Characteristics of American Democracy
The Changing Political Culture and Characteristics of the
American People
Political Culture and Views of Government
The Roots of American
Government: Where Did the Ideas Come
From?
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.
Popular Consent
Social Contract Theory
People are source of
power
People give consent to
government to rule
Government provides
protection of natural rights
Devising a National Government
At the time of the founding of our nation several forms of governments
existed
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Aristocracy
The Theory of
Democratic Government
Direct democracy
Indirect democracy
Republic
Direct
Democracy
A system in which all
come together periodically to discuss policy and abide by majority rule.
New
England town meeting
Indirect Democracy
A system of government that allows citizens
to vote for representatives who will work on their behalf.
Republic
A government rooted in the consent of the
governed.
Why a Capitalist System?
private ownership of
property
free market economy
(laissez-faire) vs. mercantile systems
Other Economic Systems
Socialism
Communism
Totalitarianism
2. Characteristics of American Democracy
Πpopular consent
popular sovereignty
Ž majority rule
individualism
equality
‘ personal liberty
‘ civil society
The Changing Political
Culture and Characteristics of the American People
Population of the United States:
July 1, 1900 there were 76,094,000
Today there are over 284,203,717
One birth
every.................................. 8 seconds
One death
every.................................. 13 seconds
One
international migrant (net) every............ 36 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
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%
Graying of America
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.
Ideology of Americans
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.
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.
Ideology
of Americans
Libertarianism thought to favor a free market economy and no
governmental interference in personal liberties.
Political Culture and
Views of Government
High Expectations
A Missing Appreciation
of the Good
Mistrust of Politicians
Voter Apathy
Redefining Our
Expectations
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 television and radio
Clean water
FDA
inspections
Air traffic
control