Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America



Chapter 1: Introducing Government in America

The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action John P. Roche

Objectives

← Distinguish among the fundamental concepts of government, politics and public policy

← Understand how government, politics, and public policy are interrelated

← Understand how people can influence the government’s policy agenda

← Describe the basic concept of the policymaking system

← Determine the essential principles of traditional democratic theory

← Examine the contemporary theories of American democracy-pluralism, elite and class, and hyperpluralism

← Assess the overall questions of hHow should we govern and what should government do

Key Concepts

|Democracy |Elite and Class Theory |Government |

|Hyperpluralism |Individualism |Linkage institutions |

|Majority rule |Minority rule |Pluralist theory |

|Policy agenda |Policy gridlock |Policy making institutions |

|Policymaking system |Political issue |Politics |

|Public goods |Public policy |Representation |

|Single issue groups | | |

Chapter 1 Key Questions

“About the future when we have so many young people who apathetic and critical and cynical about anything having to do with politics. They don’t want to touch it. And yet politics is literally the personnel system for democracy” –Senator John Glenn

1. Do you agree with the statement made by Senator John Glenn? Explain your answer.

2. What are the key functions that all governments do? How is this reflected in the US constitution?

3. What is the difference between governments and politics? How do they both contribute to the United States?

4. Why has political socialization decreased overtime? What can we change to improve the political outlook of the US?

5. How are interest groups, political parties, the branches of government and people integral to policy making?

6. Looking at traditional democratic thought, do you believe that our own democracy meets the criteria?

7. Compare and contrast the differences and similarities between the pluralist, elite and hyperpluralism theories of government.

8. Looking at the challenges we face in democracy, how would you try to overcome them and what ideas or policies would you put in place?

9. What is meant by government being “too big’? Develop a set of criteria that measures what “too big” is.

10. Many Americans believe that politicians are corrupt and the government only serves a few, and dominated by the wealthy and powerful. Is this statement true? Explain.

RochMillse From the Power Elite Key Questions

1.

2. Who does Mills describe as the power elite?

3. Do the power elite hold all the power in society? Explain.

4. What is Congress’ role in the power elite?

5. How do the hierarchies and institutions give the elite their power?

6. How has an evolved state and economy changed the power elite?

7. According to Mills, what are the consequences of the evolved system? So you agree? Why or why not?

8. How does a crisis define the power elite?

9. How did the power elite come to power?

10. How does secrecy effect the role of the power elite?

1. Define zeitgeist, suasponte

2. What is the argument presented in the reading?

3. Why was it important for the Framers to convince states such as New York to attend the convention?

4. What were the needs of some of the states?

5. What were Patrick Henry’s thoughts on the convention?

6. Create a chart that shows ho the Framers compromised on certain political, economic and military issues.

7. How was the opposition convinced to attend the convention?

8. Describe the pros and cons of Madison’s Virginia Plan.

9. Describe the pros and cons of the New Jersey Plan.

10. What compromises were made during the convention?

11. What theories support the formation of the Constitution? Give examples to support your ideas.

Zweigenhaft and Domhoff from Diversity in the Power Elite

1. What new groups have entered the power elite?

2. Is there really diversity in the elite? Explain.

3. Define overclass

4. How does the story of Horatio Alger apply to the new power elite?

5. What is the “glass ceiling”?

6. Explain the development of women in the power elite and compare it to the stories of African Americans in the power elite.

7. How would the Founding Father’s feel about this new power elite and does a new power elite actually exist?

8. Framing the Constitution Charles Beard

1. Describe the two major political parties that existed at this time.

2. What was Jefferson’s opinion on government?

3. What were some of the issues that the new political system had to protect and work on?

4. What was the primary concern, according to Beard for the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?

5. Explain how the Constitution is a document that protects economic interest and not necessarily the principles of democracy.

6. Why were the right of the minority protected by the Framers?

7. How is the Constitution a reflection of property rights?

8. Compare and contrast the ideas of Roche and Beard.

Sample Questions

1. Which of the following is the best indication of pluralism in American politics?

A. The American Association of Retired Persons has the largest membership of any interest group.

B. Third parties often endorse candidates for office, but rarely do they win elections.

C. The federal bureaucracy is expanding as more and more citizens are hired for federal jobs.

D. More than 20,000 interest groups lobby Congress each year.

E. Citizens are able to vote in local, state, and national elections.

2. All of the following are characteristics of a traditional democracy EXCEPT

A. An informed electorate

B. A bill of rights

C. Public participation

D. Equal access to government institutions

E. National elections

3. According to elite theorists, which of the following statements describe the American political system?

I. Political action committees translate the financial power of large corporation into political influences

II. Interest groups fairly shape the public agenda by representing the interests of all Americans

III. The wealthiest one percent of the public are in some way responsible for most policymaking

IV. Policymaking relies heavily on compromise, because interest groups receive equal access to the policy arena.

a. I only

b. II only

c. I and III only

d. II and IV only

e. I, II, and IV only

4. The United States is not a direct democracy because

A. The population has increased too rapidly in the last 100 years

B. The authors of the Constitution did not trust the public to make informed decisions

C. The Constitution prohibits direct representation

D. The separation of powers would work in a direct democracy

E. A direct democracy would not fairly represent all Americans

5. A citizen who disapproves of proposed legislation can do all of the following EXCEPT

A. Call or write a letter to his or her senator

B. Vote for a different candidate in the next election

C. Join a political interest group

D. Vote against the legislation

E. Participate in a protest

Take home FRQ: Due MondayTuesday, August 30, 2010September 2

FRQ: Chapter 1 (30 points, Quiz)

Please answer one of the questions below. ResponsesReponses should be typed.

1. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. -That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the government, -That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter to abolish it…”

How does this passage from the Declaration of Independence foreshadow the political system later set forth in the Constitution? In your response, identify TWO elements of traditional democratic theory, which are found in the political system. Explain how these elements of traditional democratic theory help achieve the ideals expressed in this passage.

1.

2. The Framers of the Constitution established a representative democracy. Political scientists have developed at least three theories of American democracy-pluralism, elitism, and hyperpluralism.

a. Briefly describe each of these three theories

b. Include in your description of each theory a description of how the average citizen is to play a role in politics.

c. Discuss how the Framers would assess each of these theories in terms of their goal of establishing a representative democracy.

Information can come from your book and readings. Be thorough and concise in your writing. Please use 12 point font and double space.

Grading Rubric

|A |Description of theories |3 points |

|B |Description of the average citizens role |3 points |

|C |Analysis of Framers assessment |6 points |

| |Total Possible |12 points |

Grade Conversion

|Letter Grade |12 point scale |30 point scale (Final Grade) |

|A |11-12 |27-30 |

|B |9-10 |24-26 |

|C |7-8 |21-23 |

|F |0-6 |0-20 |

Sample Questions

6. Which of the following is the best indication of pluralism in American politics?

A. The American Association of Retired Persons has the largest membership of any interest group.

B. Third parties often endorse candidates for office, but rarely do they win elections.

C. The federal bureaucracy is expanding as more and more citizens are hired for federal jobs.

D. More than 20,000 interest groups lobby Congress each year.

E. Citizens are able to vote in local, state, and national elections.

7. All of the following are characteristics of a traditional democracy EXCEPT

A. An informed electorate

B. A bill of rights

C. Public participation

D. Equal access to government institutions

E. National elections

8. According to elite theorists, which of the following statements describe the American political system?

V. Political action committees translate the financial power of large corporation into political influences

VI. Interest groups fairly shape the public agenda by representing the interests of all Americans

VII. The wealthiest one percent of the public are in some way responsible for most policymaking

VIII. Policymaking relies heavily on compromise, because interest groups receive equal access to the policy arena.

f. I only

g. II only

h. I and III only

i. II and IV only

j. I, II, and IV only

9. The United States is not a direct democracy because

A. The population has increased too rapidly in the last 100 years

B. The authors of the Constitution did not trust the public to make informed decisions

C. The Constitution prohibits direct representation

D. The separation of powers would work in a direct democracy

E. A direct democracy would not fairly represent all Americans

10. A citizen who disapproves of proposed legislation can do all of the following EXCEPT

A. Call or write a letter to his or her senator

B. Vote for a different candidate in the next election

C. Join a political interest group

D. Vote against the legislation

E. Participate in a protest

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