American Gov Chapter 1

3 Components of an Individually Rational Actor

• Identify goals.

• Rank goals in order of preference.

• Take purposeful action to achieve those goals.

Individually Rational vs. Societally Acceptable

An action can be rational to a specific individual seeking a goal (e.g., drug use to relieve stress), even if society deems it unacceptable or harmful.

Collective Rationality

Logic or decision-making aimed at protecting the overall well-being and safety of the entire group/society (e.g., laws restricting drug use to prevent harm to others).

Collective Action Problems

Conflicts that arise when individual self-interest clashes with the group’s best interest. Solving them requires group solutions, rules, and funding (e.g., taxes for public roads).

Free Rider Problem

A collective action problem where individuals benefit from a shared resource or service without paying or contributing toward its cost (e.g., using public roads without paying taxes).

Cheating as a Collective Action Problem (College Degree Example)

Cheaters get the same degree without following academic integrity agreements, devaluing the degree's worth for everyone who earned it legitimately.

Tragedy of the Commons

A situation where individuals acting in self-interest deplete or neglect a shared resource (e.g., roommates failing to maintain clean common areas without an explicit agreement).

Prisoner's Dilemma

A scenario showing why two rational individuals might not cooperate, even if it is in their best interest to do so. Overcoming it requires mutual agreement and trust.

3 Requirements for Solving Collective Action Problems

Enforceable rules and government structure, which depend on

• Political Trust

• Civic Engagement

• Political Efficacy

Political Efficacy

The belief that an individual's actions can influence government policies and make a meaningful difference in society.

Interpersonal (Civic) Trust

The level of trust citizens have in the people around them in their community.

Political Trust

The level of confidence citizens have in their government institutions to operate fairly and effectively.

Definition of Government

The institutional structure where political processes occur; it creates and implements laws and public policies to guide a nation and its people.

Definition of Citizens

Legal members of a political community (via birth or naturalization) who enjoy specific rights, privileges, and responsibilities (such as paying taxes).

Definition of Politics

The process determining "who gets what, when, and how" in society.

4 Key Functions of Government:

1. Preserve ___ and ___.

2. Establish and maintain a ____ system.

3. Provide ___ ___ and services (clean water, public schools, roads).

4. ___ and ___ money via taxation.

1. Preserve order and stability.

2. Establish and maintain a legal system.

3. Provide public goods and services (clean water, public schools, roads).

4. Raise and spend money via taxation.

Public Goods

Services provided by the government funded through tax revenues that benefit society as a whole (e.g., military, libraries, public safety, roads).

Estate / Inheritance Tax

A tax imposed on the transfer of an estate upon a person's death (typically applies only to large estates over a specific threshold, e.g., $10M+).

Capital Gains Tax

A tax based on the profits earned from the sale of non-inventory assets, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate.

Payroll Tax

Taxes deducted directly from an employee's paycheck to fund social insurance programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

Tariffs

A targeted tax levied on specific goods or activities deemed socially harmful or undesirable (e.g., alcohol, gambling, lottery tickets).

Empirical Claims

Statements or claims that are verifiable and supported by objective evidence and data.

Purpose of Student Government (e.g., Kennesaw State)

1. Allocates mandatory student activity fees to campus clubs and events.

1. Gives students a voice in how their money is spent.

2. Builds civic skills and socializes future citizens on how governance works.

Types of Government (By Participation) MOD

• Monarchy: Rule by a single family/monarch.

• Oligarchy: Rule by a small, elite group of individuals (e.g., China).

• Democracy: Rule by the people/citizens.

Types of Regimes (By Control) TAC

• Totalitarianism: Government maintains complete control over both social and economic life (e.g., North Korea).

• Authoritarianism: Government maintains strict control over political power, though social/economic institutions may exist outside state control (e.g., Russia).

• Constitutionalism: Limited government defined and constrained by a clear legal framework/constitution.

Origin of the word "Democracy"

Comes from greek term ___, meaning ____ power

Comes from the ancient Greek term demokratia, meaning "people power." Derived from governance in Greek poleis(city-states), which is also the root of the word politics.

Limitations of Ancient Greek Democracy

(Why wasn’t it fair? Who wasn’t included?")

Decisions were made by majority rule, but it was not a modern democracy because women and slaves were not counted as citizens and were excluded from participation.

Divine Right of Kings Theory (made by who)

Argues that questioning the king was like challenging ____.

A political theory articulated by Jacques-Benigne Bossuet arguing that monarchs rule by divine sanction (God's will) and can rule absolutely without regard to their subjects' will. Questioning the king was considered challenging God.

Protestant Reformation & Political Thought began when ___, posted his ___.

Bypassed (who’s) authority because people could (directly/indirectly) talk to God themselves and self govern themselves

Began in 1517 when Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses. By challenging Catholic Church authority and asserting individuals could communicate directly with God, it fostered the idea that people could govern themselves.

Mayflower Compact (1620) & Social Contract.

Who was it among?

Who governed it.

What was this social contract dependent on?

An early American agreement among Pilgrims to establish a self-governing structure. It served as an early example of a social contract based on the consent of the governed.

What is the Natural Law (Enlightenment Concept). developed by who?

Developed by Sir Issac Newton. The idea that universal laws governing human behavior come from nature of humans themselves.

(there is no such thing as magic)

This person believes that without a strong leader, it would be everyman for themselves.

Thomas Hobbes. Without a strong ruler, human life would be chaotic and violent—a constant battle of "every person for themselves.

This person believed that liberty & life are birthrights and GOV can grant or give them.

Two Treatises on Civil Government, 1689)

John Locke. All individuals possess natural rights to life & liberty

And Government cannot grant or take away these inherent rights;

This person believed that people had a right to rebel, only when the gov…

John Locke. If the Gov fails to protect them, the people have a right to rebel.

Direct (Participatory) Democracy

A structure of government where citizens directly discuss and decide policy through majority rule (e.g., New England town meetings or voting on local school budgets and referenda).

Indirect (Representative) Democracy

A structure of government where citizens elect representatives who make policy decisions on their behalf.

Political Culture

The collective beliefs, values, and attitudes a society holds regarding government, politics, and core principles like liberty, freedom, and equality.

John Locke’s take on Liberty was that people deserved to be free without having to be…

Liberty means being free without having to overpowered by others (including government leaders)

The Conflict Between Liberty vs. Security

Government efforts to protect national security often restrict personal liberties (e.g., surveillance, metadata collection, or facial recognition technology used to investigate crime).

Ideas On Equality: Ancient Greek vs. Judeo-Christian

• Ancient Greeks: No inherited privilege! Privilege through merit!

• Judeo-Christian Tradition: All are equal no matter what! 😇

Legal Equality vs. Economic Equality

• Legal Equality: Equal treatment under the law and protection of rights.

• Economic Equality: Debate over whether government should reduce wealth disparities through taxes/subsidies or let outcomes be decided by market forces and individual effort.

Where does power derive from in the Consent of the Governed?

A government's legitimacy and power derive directly from the consent of the people it governs.

Majority Rule & Minority Rights

Democratic Idea: Policies require 50%+1 vote to be enacted, while protecting the rights of the political minority.

Capitalism Definition

The means of producing wealth are privately owned and operated for profit. (Selfish Republicans)

Mixed Economy (U.S. Capitalist Model)

Although rooted in capitalism

The U.S. government regulates the market through minimum wage laws, quality/safety inspections, tariffs, and taxes.

Definition and Scope of Property

Anything that can be owned

including physical assets (homes, businesses, farms, material items) and intellectual assets (ideas).

Individualism is the belief that everybody has natural…

Every person has natural rights simply because they control their own life and decisions.

What is the Primary (Agent) of Political Socialization?

The family is the first place children learn about politics, social values, and how to behave in society.

Foundations of Classical Liberalism

• Freedom of thought,

• Free speech

• Limited gov authority

• Consent of the governed,

• The rule of law

• Government doesn't interfere with businesses or prices

• Individual initiative

• Access to free public education.

Classical Liberalism vs. Modern Liberalism

• Classical Liberalism: Free markets, individual initiative, & limited government.👩

• Modern Liberalism: Expects an active government to ensure (wellbeing) political equality, provide social welfare, regulate business, and manage the economy (especially post-1929 Great Depression). 👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏽‍⚖️👩🏽‍⚖️

An aging population increases demand and fiscal burden on ____-supported healthcare systems and Social Security programs.

An aging population increases demand and fiscal burden on government-supported healthcare systems and Social Security programs.