Intro to Government

Overview 1.1 Ideals of Democracy

• Objective: Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

• Learning Goal: Describe political principles, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors in context through examples of concept application.

Government Terms

• Politics: The process of influencing actions and policies of government.

• Government: The rules and institutions that make up the system of policymaking.

• Importance of connecting FRQs to policy and action.

Connotation Differences for Similar Terms

• Nation: Ethnic/cultural term.

• Country: Geographic term.

• State: Political term, often avoided in discussing US government due to reference to US States.

What Happens Without Working Government?

• Consequences of Non-Functioning Government:

  • Example of Somalia as a case study.

  • Additional cases include North Korea as a notable example of terrible governance.

Influences on Founding Fathers

• British Influences:

  • Magna Carta.

  • English Petition of Right.

  • Glorious Revolution/English Bill of Rights.

  • English Common Law.

• Political Philosophy & History:

  • The Enlightenment.

  • Greco-Roman influences, and the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy.

• Colonial Traditions:

  • Representative Assemblies.

  • Local Courts.

  • Emerging Free Market Traditions.

  • Interest for property.

Greco-Roman Traditions (Background Info)

• Different city-states (Poleis) contained unique forms of government:

  • Athens: Direct Democracy.

  • Greece: Understood as direct democracy.

  • The concept of the Republic: Res Publica means public thing/affair.

  • Modern Republic: Leaders elected by the people, also known as indirect democracy.

  • Rome: Established the concept of a republic.

Meaning of Democracy Over Time

• Initial definition by founders was direct democracy.

• Current understanding in the U.S. is more aligned with indirect democracy or a republic.

• Linked to the Enlightenment ideal of popular sovereignty.

Definitions Associated with Republic

• Modern Republic: People elect representatives.

• Not to be confused with the casual meaning of "republican" in American discourse.

• Historical concepts include Republican Motherhood and Republican Virtue.

Definition of Liberal

• In a governmental context: related to liberty.

• Historical meaning referred to as classical liberalism, which differentiates from modern liberalism.

Big Ideas for AP Gov

• Constitutionalism: The principle guide in governing.

• Liberty and Order: Balancing freedom with regulatory order.

• Competing Policy Making Interests: Various groups competing to influence policy.

• Civic Participation in Representative Democracy: The importance of public involvement in governance.

• Methods of Political Analysis: Techniques and frameworks for analyzing political systems and behaviors.

Models of Democracy

• Republican Model: Emphasizes the common good, shared values, and participation.

• Liberal Model: Focuses on the rights of individuals.

Models of Democracy, Liberty, and Order

• Republican Model: Promotes common good and shared values ensuring public participation.

• Liberal Model: Prioritizes individual rights ensuring liberty is preserved alongside order.

Reflection in Current Political Discourse

• Distinction between Republican and Liberal models.

• Connection made to party ideologies:

  • Republican Party: Tied to Conservative Ideology.

  • Democratic Party: Associated with Liberal Ideology.

Classification of US Government

• Constitutional Federal Presidential Republic:

  • Constitutional: The Constitution holds supremacy.

  • Federal: Power divided among national and subnational levels.

  • Presidential: The President is the head of state.

  • Republic: Representation through elected officials.

Classification by Centralization of Power

• Unitary Systems: Central government holds all power over subnational entities (e.g., UK, China).

• Confederal Systems: Subnational governments maintain the majority of power (e.g., US under the Articles of Confederation).

• Federal Systems: Division of power between national and state governments (e.g., US, Mexico, Nigeria).

Classification by Leadership

• Presidential Government: Elected leader, separate executive and legislative bodies.

• Parliamentary Government: Leader elected from the legislature, executive is part of the legislature.