Chapter 1- Political Thinking: Becoming a Responsible Citizen

Political Thinking- the careful gathering and sifting of information in the process of
forming a knowledgeable view about a political issue. Political thinking enables citizens
to act responsibly
Involves application of relevant information to the problem at hand.
Barriers to Political Thinking
-Liberating individuals, democracy frees them to make choices.
Unwillingness of citizens to make the effort to pay close attention to politics
Others do not pay close attention to political information- knowledge gap (less
trustworthy)
Many of news outlets slant information to fit their purpose while burying
contradictory facts
Propaganda- lures an audience to promote a cause
Political leaders slant messages- Obama administration put a favorable slant on the
impact of its economic stimulus program, leading some Americans (mostly democrats) to
conclude that the administration had saved and created more jobs than it actually had.
Faulty perceptions are becoming more prevalent and changes in communication
are to blame.
***People are keen to receive messages that confirm what they already believe
Citizens cannot know whether their ideas are sound until they have heard alternative
views and weighed them against their own.
What Political Science Can Contribute to Political Thinking
Political science- the systematic study of the government and politics. This has developed
largely through the work of scholars, but political practioners and writers have also
contributed.
Political science allows:
1. Reliable information about how U.S political system operates
2. Systematic generalizations about major tendencies in American politics
3. Terms and concepts that precisely describe key aspects of politics
These tools enable the citizen to delve more deeply into political developments than
would otherwise be possible.
Americas Individualistic Culture

Americans do not necessarily have less sympathy than Europeans for the less
advantaged, but they have resisted an extensive role for government out of a belief
that able-bodied individuals should take responsibility for their economic security and
out of a conviction that government assistance erodes self-reliance.
Over the decades, Americans have expressed varying levels of dissatisfaction with the
countrys health care system, but there has been one constant during this period. Never
has a majority expressed a willingness to entrust health insurance fully to government
an arrangement that Europeans take for granted.
By contrast, Americans place a greater emphasis than Europeans on personal
advancement through education.
The United States has led the way in education, first by pioneering the idea of universal
public schooling, and then by creating the worlds most elaborate system of higher
education, which now includes more than three thousand two-year and four-year
institutions.
Politics and Power in America
Politics is the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the resulting
benefits and costs.
Those who prevail in political conflicts are said to have power, a term that refers to the
ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments.
Authoritarian governments openly repress their political opponents as a means of
staying in power.
The most extreme form of authoritarian government, totalitarianism, admits to no
limits on its power: the state controls the media, directs the economy, dictates what can
and cannot be taught in schools, defines family relations, and decides which religionsif
anycan be practiced openly.
democracy- form of government in which the people govern, directly or through elected
representatives
oligarchy- control rests with a small wealthy family or high ranking officials
Majoritarianism- the idea that the majority not only in lections but also in policy
determination. Happens when political leaders respond to the policy desires of the
majority.
ex. When Congress in 2009 enacted a $787 billion spending billto stimulate the
economy, it was responding to majority demand. Unemploymentwas rising, and a CNN
poll showed that 54 percent of Americans backed thelegislation.
Pluralism- the theory of American politics that hold politics hat societys interests are
substantially represented through power exercised by groups.

Authority- The recognized right of officials to exercise power as a result of the positions
they hold.
ex. When President Obama decided in 2009 to increase troop levels in Afghanistan, he
did so despite polls that showed most Americans would have preferred a reduction in
U.S. forces there.
In making the decision, Obama was exercising his constitutional authority as commander
in chief of the armed forces.
To guard against oppressive majorities, the writers ofthe Constitution devised an
elaborate system of checksand balances, dividing authority among the legislative,
Executive and judicial branches. The Bill ofRights was added to the Constitution a few
years later asa further check on the majority.
constitutionalismthe idea that there are lawful restrictions on governments power.
judicial action- The use of courts of law as a means by which individuals protect their
rights and settle their conflicts.
Free Market system- an economic system based on the idea that government should
Interfere with economic transactions as little as possible. Free enterprise and self-reliance
are the collective and individual principles that underpin free markets.
Under socialism , as it is practiced today in Sweden and other countries, government
does not attempt to manage the overall economy, but owns a number of major industries
and guarantees every individual a minimal
standard of living.
The tax rate is lower in America than in European countries because the U.S. government
makes less effort through taxation to redistribute income from the rich to the poor in the
form of economic assistance
corporate power- The power that corporations exercise in their effort to
influence government and maintain control of the workplace.
elitism-which refers to the power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential
individuals