American Government: Key Functions, Politics, and Democracy Principles

Government

the organization of institutions that make public policy decisions for a society (e.g., Congress, President, Courts).

Purpose of Government

Maintain national defense, provide public goods (e.g., roads, schools), preserve order, socialize the young, and collect taxes.

Maintain National Defense, Provide Public Goods & Services, Preserve Order, Socialize the Young, Collect Taxes.

MPPCS

Maintain National Defense

Armed forces, ensuring protection.

Preserve Order

Public safety, calming protests, etc.

Socialize the Young

Instill patriotism, national political system values (pledge of allegiance).

Collecting Taxes

Funds public goods and services.

Politics

The process by which people choose leaders, policies, and actions. It involves who gets what, when, and how (Harold D. Lasswell).

Political Scientists

Study government decision-making.

Key Political Questions (harold d lasswell)

Who? Voters, candidates, groups, parties. What? Benefits & burdens. When? How? Ways people participate in politics (e.g., voting, protests).

Low Political Participation

low turnout and lack of political clout.

Single-Issue Groups

Focus on one issue, often voting solely on that basis (e.g., abortion, climate).

Citizen Influence

Citizens impact public policy by influencing policy decisions, raising problems, and emphasizing trouble.

First 2 steps of the Policymaking System Cycle

People: Have interests, problems, and concerns.

Linkage Institutions: Connect people to government (e.g., parties, elections, media, interest groups).

Policy Agenda

Issues that have attracted attention from public officials.

Policymaking Institutions

Branches of government that make policies (Congress, Presidency, Courts, Bureaucracy).

Policy

Government action.

Policy Impacts

Effects of policies on people and problems.

Political Issues

Disagreement about a problem and public action needed.

Public Policy

Every government decision (laws, budgets).

Statutes

Laws passed by Congress.

Presidential Actions

Decisions by the President.

Court Decisions

Legal opinions by Supreme or lower courts.

Budgetary Choices

Legislative enactment of taxes/expenditures.

Regulation

Agency guidelines for implementation.

Democracy

A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government to reflect citizens' preferences.

Challenges to Democracy

diverse interests

escalating campaign costs

limited participation in gov

political polarization

misinformation

complexity of issues

Ideal Democracy

Has Equality in Voting, Effective Participation, Adequate and equal opportunities, Enlightened Understanding

Enlightened Understanding

A theory stating that a democratic society must be a “marketplace of ideas”. Free press and free speech are essential to civic understanding.

Citizen Control of the Agenda

Collective right to control policy agenda.

Inclusion

Extend rights to all; citizenship open to all.

Majority Rule

Policy reflects the will of over half the voters.

Minority Rights

Guarantees rights to those outside the majority.

Representation

Describes relationship between leaders and followers; elected officials represent people's desires.

Pluralism

The theory that groups with shared interests influence policy through organized competition.

Elitism

Society divided into class lines, with the upper-class ruling. Elites pull strings of government; wealth determines power.

Hyperpluralism

Competing interest groups are so strong that government is weakened ('crippled').

Political Culture

Overall set of values widely shared within society.

Liberty

the freedom from governmental interference, (civil liberties and rights). It includes the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, like freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to due process and equal protection under the law

Individualism

People can succeed on their own without government intervention (unless needed).

Laissez-Faire

Policies promoting free markets and limited government. Less government in the US than other democracies.

Populism

political philosophy support the rights of average citizens against privileged elites.(emphasis on the people)

Egalitarianism

Equality of opportunity and respect. Americans never equal in terms, but everyone has a chance.

GDP (Gross Domestic Product)

Total value of goods and services produced annually in the US.

Equality in Voting

Principle of ideal democratic process ensuring every vote has equal weight.

Linkage Institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to the government and influence policymaking.

National defense

Important to protect the nation from external threats.

Public goods

Vital for the collective well-being and functioning of society, such as roads and college.

Politics

According to Harold D. Lasswell, it is about 'who gets what, when, and how.'

Political parties

A type of linkage institution that organizes electoral contests.

Media

A type of linkage institution that conveys public opinion and information.

Congress

One of the primary policymaking institutions responsible for deciding policy and passing legislation.

Presidency

Claims policy and implements laws through rules and regulations.

Statutes

laws passed by Congress.

MPPCS

Acronym for Maintain National Defense, Provide Public Goods & Services, Preserve Order, Socialize the Young, Collect Taxes - key roles of the government.

Collective Goods

Goods and services that are non-excludable and free for all to use (e.g., clean air, national defense).

Policymaking System

Effective Participation (trad dem theory)

The condition in a democracy where citizens have adequate and equal opportunities to express their preferences throughout decision making processes

congress

the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government

Bureaucracy

The part of government that implements laws and regulations through agencies.