Introducing Government in America Chapter 1: AP Government: Dr. Goff Textbook
Jan 18, 2018
Introducing Government in America
Chapter 1: AP Government: Dr. Goff Textbook
Warm-up What is the importance of government? What values matter most in American
Democracy?
AP warm-up Question of the DayHow are power and authority related?
a. government can have power without having authorityb. Power includes the right to rulec. Authority can exist without powerd. Neither requires popular supporte. The terms are synonymous
Answer to Question of the Day A. Power is the ability to get another person
to act, even by force. Authority means the right to use power (page. 4-5 of textbook).
Remember, you need to read because you are expected to learn on your own (we will be going over major concepts, but you need to understand all the details on your own as well)
2nd Question For representative democracy to work, all of the
following must be present EXCEPT A. the opportunity for individuals to run for office B. freedom of expression C. voter turnout above 60 percent D. competition among political parties E. voter perception that there is a meaningful
choice
answer C. For representative democracy to work,
there must be meaningful political competition among individuals and parties who are able to freely express themselves (pages 6-7)
Question 3 What is the most basic definition of democracy? A. rule by many B. rule by representatives who are directly elected C. any system of government with elections D. any system of government with a written
constitution E. any system where citizenship is widely extended by
most adults
Answer A. Aristotle’s basic definition of democracy
is “rule of the many” pages 8-9
Politics Definition:
Politics: process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies they produce
Politics produces authoritative decisions about public issues.
Also consider Lasswell’s definition: Politics decides: Who gets what, when and how.
Politics
How important is politics to you?
Government Definition: Government is the institutions and
processes through which public policies are made for society.
This definition leads to two basic questions: How should we govern? What should government do?
Discussion Questions Should the United States fine people who do
not vote? Should democracy type of government be
instituted at school? Would Democracy work in private
corporations?
What is Political Power? Power: ability of one person to get another
person to act in accordance with the first person’s intentions
Ex. Pres. Tells air force it cannot build new bomber
Examples?
Political Power
Warm-up/Quick review 9/6/2012 Define politics Define government What is political power?
Warm-up 9/6/2012 Write down everything you know about
American government in 3 min. Write down what areas of government interest
you. Write down any areas of government/issues
that confuse you in the past or present Think/write/pair/share
Warm-up 9/6/2013 Which of the following statements best represents pluralist theory? A. the class that dominates the economy also controls the government B. The most important policies are set by a loose coalition of three
groups—corporate leaders, top military officers, and key political leaders
C. Leaders outside of the government structure dominate government D. Unelected bureaucrats who run agencies dominate the government E. There are so many groups that none of them can dominate the
political process
answer E. pluralism is the belief that competition
among all affected interests shapes public policy
Question 2 Which of the following is the best evidence that
direct democracy is expanding in America today? A. more frequent use of ballot initiatives B. increased voter turnout C. movement to lower the drinking age D. a movement to directly elect federal judges E. continued support where citizenship is widely
extended by most adults
answer A. initiatives allow citizens, by petition, to put
issues directly on the ballot. This is an example of direct democracy.
What is Political Power? Legitimacy: Political authority conferred by
law/state/US Constitution Today “Needs to be Democratic” if it is
American to be legitimate
What is Political Power? Authority: The right to use Power Ex. Politicians/ we do not question decisions
A main argument (Government is too big, taking over our lives)? What does this mean?
What programs should our government run? What are the top ten achievements of our
government?
What is Democracy? Write down whatever comes to your mind
when you hear “Democracy”
Warm-up Monday 9/9/2013 What is one of the best barometers for measuring
changes in who governs? A. Public opinion polls B. an analysis of topics covered in campaign speeches C. an examination of the amount of coverage given by
the media D. an analysis of the policy process and changes in the
laws E. there is no real way of measuring political change
Answer D. the authors contend that one of the best
barometers of changes in who governs is the policy-making process
Question #2 Some argue that the government is dominated by
business owners. Which of the following terms does this best describe?
A. power elite view B. class view C. pluralism D. bureaucratic view E. prestige view
answer B. class view emphasizes the power in
government of the rich or of multinational corporations. Inspired by Karl Marx
Question #3 According to John Locke, all of the following
are necessary for proper government EXCEPT: A. consent of the governed B. majority rule C. a strong executive D. protection of property E. separation of powers
answer C. Locke argued that decent government
required consent of the governed, protection of property, and majority rule, with separation of power to protect minority rights. The founders were influenced by Locke and created a system in which there was not an all-powerful ruler
Question #4 All of the following are arguments against direct democracy
EXCEPT: A. most people are not interested in government or politics B. it is impractical because of limited time, information, and
energy C. most people do not have enough expertise to make good
decisions on complicated policies D. direct democracy leads to bad decisions because people act
according to their passions E. people might fall under the influence of charismatic speakers
answer A. those opposed to direct democracy argue
that citizens are limited by time, information, energy, etc.
Nothing about people not interested
Question 5 Some argue that appointed officials actually run the
government, despite the efforts of elected officials to control them. This belief is consistent with which theory of government?
A. bureaucratic view B. pluralism C. class view D. indirect democracy E. power elite view
Answer A. the bureaucratic view, first set forth by
Max Weber, contends that in modern states, appointed bureaucrats manage complex government affairs and actually make policy
What is Democracy? Greek “Rule of the Many”/Direct
Democracy/all citizens hold office or make gov. policy
Representative Democracy: Gov. in which leaders make decisions by winning a competitive struggle for the popular vote (Schumpeter version used through out book)
Do you feel Direct Democracy could work in the United States?
What does this mean?
What does this mean?
2 competing theories on government John Locke=people are naturally good and
want to self preservation/buy into a social contract with the leader to protect natural rights
Thomas Hobbes=believed humans were naturally evil and needed to have a strong individual (king/dictator) to keep people in their place
Which one do you agree with? Do you believe humans are naturally good or
evil? What type of government best meets the needs
of the people based on your first response. Please provide 3 examples to back up your
arguments. Add photograph/make a poster supporting the
government
FRQ information Go to page 12 of Preparing for the AP exam Read through it Go through with a partner and score page 13
(try not to look at the scoring rubric before you score it)
Questions? Assign first FRQ
Warm-up
DQ questions with a partner
Democracy Components of Traditional Democratic
Theory: Equality in voting Effective participation Enlightened understanding Citizen control of the agenda Inclusion
American Political Culture and Democracy Political Culture: An overall set of values
widely shared within a society. American culture is diverse and comprised of:
Liberty (freedom from gov. control) Egalitarianism (equality for all people) Individualism (liberty rights for ind.) Laissez-faire (gov. hardly intervenes in economy) Populism (working class, common person/non-
intellectual)
How does Government impact our lives? In 3 minutes, please write down all the ways
you think the government of the United States impacts our lives. List anything that you think has to do with government!
http://www.centeroncongress.org/interactive-learning-modules
Lets find out how much control government has on our lives!
Sons of Liberty
Is Representative Democracy Best? Framers “Most citizens do not have time,
information, interest, and expertise” to make choices/gov. policies
Do you think that is true? Should citizens today have more of a roll?
How is Political Power Distributed? Majoritarian Politics: delegates of the people,
voting like majority of Americans would Political Elites: identifiable group of people
that possess a disproportionate share of some valued resource (Money or Power)
Who do you think Controls the Government? Who do you think are the biggest influencers
in American government? Who shapes policy?
4 different thoughts on political Elites Marxist ViewGov. dominated by capitalists
(business owners) Power Elite viewGov. dominated by a few
top leaders, most outside gov. ex. Media chiefs, top labor union officials, top military leaders
4 different thoughts on political Elites Bureaucratic View: Gov. dominated by
appointed officials (gov. workers who translate gov. laws)
Pluralist View: Competition among all affected interests shapes public policy (No one elite group controls all the resources)
AP practice questions Page82/83 with a partner/go over answers Work on study guide Vocabulary quiz