Chapter 1: Understanding American Politics

PS 101: American Government

Instructor:Jonathan PowellJanuary 19,2012

Chapter 1: Understanding American PoliticsDont forget: You can copy-paste this slide into other presentations, and move or resize the poll.Press F5 or enter presentation mode to view the pollIn an emergency during your presentation, if the poll isn't showing, navigate to this link in your web browser:http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/LTE0MjIzOTAxNDA

If you like, you can use this slide as a template for your own voting slides. You might use a slide like this if you feel your audience would benefit from the picture showing a text message on a phone.2What is Politics?The process that determines what government does

What is Politics?The process that determines what government does

What is GOVERNMENT?The system for implementing decisions made through the political processWhy do we need it?Why do we need it?If men were angels, no government would be necessaryTragedy of the CommonsWhy do we need it?If men were angels, no government would be necessaryTragedy of the CommonsNeed for regulation

Who gets what?

Who gets what?

Who gets what?

and how?How does nonsensical legislation get passed?Bridge to Nowhereand how?How does nonsensical legislation get passed?Bridge to NowherePork-Barrel Spending

Earmarks and how?How does nonsensical legislation get passed?Bridge to NowherePork-Barrel Spending created with the aim of helping local representatives win re-electionEarmarks and how?How does nonsensical legislation get passed?Bridge to NowherePork-Barrel Spending created with the aim of helping local representatives win re-electionEarmarks federally-funded local projects attached to bills passed through CongressWe haveGovernmentPoliticsWhat is Political Science?Not a political scientistNot a political scientist

Not a political scientist

Closer, but still not a political scientist

Political ScienceUsing scientific principles to study political phenomenaIt is not commentary, educated or otherwiseIt is not being an expert on a specific area of interest

It is more about answering why than what, and about how we look at the subjectWhy does bad legislation get passed?Observation leads to a research question

Why does bad legislation get passed?Observation leads to a research questionFormulate a theory that explains what you observeWhy does bad legislation get passed?Observation leads to a research questionFormulate a theory that explains what you observeFormulate testable implications of the theoryWhy does bad legislation get passed?Observation leads to a research questionFormulate a theory that explains what you observeFormulate testable implications of the theoryTest your theory

Why bad spending?How can we scientifically study this?

Challenge to changeWhy dont voters do something?Public GoodCollective Action ProblemFree Rider