#1 - Politics, People, and Participation

# Chapter 1 Notes

US Foundations of American Democracy

Citizen activism: Individuals from all walks of life believe their government listens to them.
The belief that “my voice matters” fuels participation; lack of this belief leads to disengagement.
Margaret Mead:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

📱 Modern Political Landscape & Technology

Technology’s impact:
- Social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) reshapes how politicians communicate and how voters receive information.
- Micro‑targeting, email, and text messaging are now core campaign tools.
- Computerized elections and digital public services are standard at state and municipal levels.
Challenges:
- Foreign interference (e.g., Russia’s 2016 election influence).
- Information overload & potential for increased cynicism.
- Privacy concerns in the digital age.

🏛 Core Functions of Government

Function	Description	U.S. Example
National defense	Protect sovereign territory & citizens at home and abroad.	Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard
Domestic order & stability	Maintain law, emergency services, and legitimacy.	National Guard, FBI, local police; disaster response agencies
Legal system	Enact & enforce laws; administer justice.	Federal Constitution, courts, law‑enforcement agencies
Public services	Provide goods that benefit all (public goods).	Roads, bridges, education, health services, air travel security
Fiscal operations	Raise and allocate revenue to fund services.	Income, sales, property, “sin”, and luxury taxes
Socialization	Shape political values & civic identity.	Public schools, libraries, museums, community programs

👑 Types of Government Systems

System	Who Governs?	Power Distribution	Modern Example
Monarchy	Royal family (king/queen)	Usually hereditary; may be ceremonial (constitutional) or absolute	United Kingdom (constitutional), Saudi Arabia (absolute)
Oligarchy	Elite few (party, military, etc.)	Concentrated power; may be dictatorial	North Korea (oligarchic dictatorship)
Democracy	Citizens (direct or representative)	Power rests with the people; often via elected officials	United States (representative republic)
Totalitarianism	Single party/leader controlling all life aspects	No personal freedoms; ideology‑driven	North Korea (modern totalitarian)
Authoritarianism	Strong central authority, but with some checks	Limited rights; institutions constrain ruler	China, Cuba

Constitutionalism: Government limited by a written constitution; protects individual rights. The U.S. is a constitutional democracy.

📜 Origins of American Democracy

Ancient Greece – Introduced demokratia (people power) and majority rule in city‑states, though women & slaves were excluded.
Judeo‑Christian tradition & English common law – Influenced ideas of liberty and rule of law.
Reformation (1517) – Martin Luther’s 95 Theses challenged authority, fostering the notion that individuals could govern themselves.
Mayflower Compact (1620) – Early social contract emphasizing consent of the governed.
Enlightenment (late 1600s‑1700s) –
- Newton: Natural law & scientific reasoning.
- Hobbes: Social contract needed a sovereign to avoid “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” life.
- Locke: Inalienable life, liberty, and property; government exists to protect these rights, and citizens may rebel if it fails.
- Rousseau: Popular sovereignty – government derives authority from the people.

🌟 Core American Political Values

Liberty – Freedom from undue government interference and freedom to pursue happiness.
Equality – Evolved from Greek merit‑based ideas and Judeo‑Christian belief that all are equal before God; now includes political, legal, and economic dimensions.
Capitalism – Private ownership of production; market determines prices, wages, and distribution (with government regulation such as minimum wage, safety standards, tariffs).
Consent of the Governed – People grant authority to government; majority rule (≥ 50 % + 1) while protecting minority rights.
Individualism – Rights are exercised by individuals; the First Amendment protects assembly and association.

Definition – Civic Engagement (Michael Delli Carpini):
“Individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.”

🗳 Ideological Spectrum & Political Culture

Traditional axes:
- Economic – Fiscal liberalism (government ensures economic equality) ↔ Social conservatism (hands‑off economy).
- Social – Social liberty (personal freedoms) ↔ Social conservatism (traditional values).
Key Ideologies:
- Liberalism – Larger government role in economic equality; strong personal liberties.
- Conservatism – Smaller economic role; may support government action to protect traditional social values.
- Socialism – Government or workers own means of production; seeks economic equality.
- Libertarianism – Minimal government interference; strong property rights, laissez‑faire capitalism.
Multidimensional scales reveal that many citizens blend positions (e.g., favor economic regulation but also robust free‑speech protections).

👥 Demographic Shifts & Political Implications

Demographic Trend	Key Facts	Political Impact
Population Growth (2000‑2017)	+50 % increase; driven by immigration, higher birth rates, longer life spans.	Greater demand for public services; more diverse electorate.
Geographic Concentration	Population clusters in Northeast, Great Lakes, Carolinas, Florida, Texas, California; South & West added 84 % of growth (2000‑2010).	Policy priorities shift toward infrastructure, housing, and climate resilience in high‑growth regions.
Aging Population	Baby Boomers → “muffin top” (2000); Millennials will become majority by 2025; projected 85+ age group expansion by 2050.	Increased pressure on Social Security, Medicare, and age‑related services.
Racial/Ethnic Diversity	Non‑Hispanic whites 62 % now → projected 44 % by 2060; Hispanics fastest‑growing group (≈ 17 % now, 115 % increase by 2060); Asian Americans 2 % (1980) → 6 % (today) → 12 % by 2060.	Greater emphasis on immigration reform, bilingual education, and minority representation.
Household Structure	Single‑person households rose from 13 % (1960) → 28 % (2017); rise in non‑family households.	Policy focus on affordable housing, healthcare for solitary seniors, and social safety nets.

Electoral participation: Youth voter turnout rose to ~43 % in 2016 (up from 2012). Millennials historically favor Democrats; early signs show Generation Z may lean more Republican.
Civic pathways: Beyond voting, youth engage via Internet activism, buycotting, e‑petitions, and volunteerism.

📚 Civic & Political Engagement Opportunities

Traditional actions:
- Voting in local, state, and federal elections.
- Running for office or supporting candidates.
- Volunteer for campaigns, NGOs, or community projects.
Digital actions:
- Follow elected officials on Twitter.
- Join issue‑focused Facebook groups.
- Organize fund‑raisers, sign e‑petitions, or coordinate online protests.
Economic leverage:
- Boycott firms with objectionable policies.
- Buycott products aligned with personal values.

Principle – Efficacy in Action:
“When individuals act, they experience efficacy—the belief that their efforts can produce desired outcomes. Repetition strengthens advocacy skills.”