PLSC 2003- American Government Lecturer: Karen Sebold WEEK 1 LECTURE 1 01/25/11 Person to contact if a student is in need help

p Cristen Handlay

American Government Political participation and political culture Forms of government A government is the institutions and procedures through which a territory and its people are ruled. The degree of democracy (rule by the people) depends on the amount of restraint on the govt. Constitutional Style Government- the constitutions restrains the government Authoritarian Government- social institutions restrain the government. Totalitarian Government- no formal restrains on the government.

Democratic Governments Elected Officials Free and fair elections Parliament or congress Individual rights and freedoms (protected by the constitution, therefore the government cannot take it away) Diverse interest represented by state (the constitution does not represent 1 group of people) State serves as impartial servant to society as a whole (state does not take sides but rather gives blind justice) Resolves disputes that arise between groups in a way that everyones best interest (compromise/ discussion)

Totalitarian/Authoritarian Government Missing the principal features/characteristics of constitutional democracy Power is massively concentrated in central agency that directs the affairs of the state Individual liberties do not exist and free elections are not held Opposition to government not permitted High degree of ideological centralization

PLSC 2003- American Government Lecturer: Karen Sebold Political philosophers views on government: Thomas Hobbes government is necessary to prevent war and chaos John Locke- governments purpose is to protect mans natural rights. Thomas Jefferson- government is most responsible to the people. Johns Stuart Mill- Each individual has the right to act as he wants, so long as these actions do not harm others. Limiting Government and Expanding Participation- Trying to get the put a limit as to the amount of power the government has. These Philosophers were advocates of electoral and representative governments but they favored limited participation to those with property. But, once the institutions of politics and the protection of the right to engage were established it was difficult to limit them to the elite.

Influencing the Government Through Participation and Politics Power- having some share or say in the composition of a governments leadership, how it is organized, and what its policies are going to be. (Equal power in terms of voting, but unequal power when influencing the people in high positions e.g. wealthier citizens or interest groups.) The pluralist view is that there are a number of competing groups and organizations that hold much of the power in the country, but no one of these groups holds power all of the time.

The core ideas of pluralism Power is shared rather than concentrated among a variety of groups. The average citizen can be politically influential through interest group memberships. The outcome of this is competition and compromise. There is no single permanent structure of power. But is this too utopian? Whose voices are really heard? Core values of American Politics Pluralism is a main principle of our government this is shaped by the following values.

PLSC 2003- American Government Lecturer: Karen Sebold 1. Liberty 2. Equality (e.g. economic, social, political, equal opportunity or outcomes? etc.) 3. Democracy Often these ideas are in conflict with one another. We often prioritize these values based on our belief about the role of government and public policy. American Political Culture impacts how we feel about government and policies Political Culture is shared values, beliefs and attitudes that shape how society thinks about government and public policy. (Refer to handout) Conclusion It is very different for the federal government to make collective decisions that are representative of the many perspectives in civil society? LECTURE 2 01/27/22 Introduction The US constitution is the shortest and oldest constitution in operation. Adopted1787 and in effect by 1789 The US Constitution: A living document- amendable depending on times. Sometimes interest groups can lobby for the constitution to be amended. (27 amendments) A study of political choices- you can tell what is happening in American culture at the time each amendment was added. Represented the economic interests of colonial elite and lofty principles of philosophers These colonial elite groups were all interested in finding ways for economic principles in the constitution to help them. Trying to find a market place where everyone can thrive. New England Merchants Southern Planters Royalists Shopkeepers, artisans, laborers Small farmers A framework for organizing government

PLSC 2003- American Government Lecturer: Karen Sebold

Events that led to the Declaration of Independence 1760s- British tax and trade policy split the colonial elite (groups mentioned before except some royalists) no representation without taxation 1770s- most taxes rescinded but the radical factions (e.g Samuel Adams from Rhode Island) pushed for an end to British rule. 1773- East Indian Company granted a monopoly on the tea trade - Boston Tea Party - Retaliation acts by Britain Road to Revolution The First Continental Congress- 1774 An assembly of delegates called for boycott of British goods and began to consider independence The Second Continental Congress- 1776 The Declaration of Independence (1776) Philosophical and politically extraordinary document- assertion of unalienable rights. The declaration was an attempt to forge national unity The articles of Confederation (1777-1789) Adopted by Second Continental Congress - The States first written Constitution - Ratified by 1781 and effective through 1789 Main goals of the Articles - Limit the powers of the central government - Make national state governments sovereign - No president - National government vested in Congress

Events that led to the Constitution Weak central government Several events highlights the ineffective government - Brits and French wouldnt deal with national government - Spanish threat - Radical forces exerted influence in congress (PA & RI) - Drastic currency inflation

PLSC 2003- American Government Lecturer: Karen Sebold The Annapolis Convention- 1786 The Second Founding At the Annapolis Convention delegates decide to revise the Articles of Confederation. - The outcome was to send commissioners to Philadelphia to strengthen the Articles. Shays Rebellion sealed the fate of the Articles At the Constitutional Convention (1787) delegates scrapped the Articles and wrote a new document called the constitution. Big debate over the true motives- lofty principles vs. economic interests Probably both