Purpose of Government

1. Purpose of Government Unit I

2. Roots of American Government • Governments are policymaking vehicles. • A citizen is a member of the community. • Politics are who gets what, when, and how.

3. Functions of Government • Ideas drawn from Preamble to the Constitution. • Establishing justice. • Ensuring domestic tranquility. • Providing for the common defense. • Promoting the general welfare. • Securing the blessings of liberty.

4. Types of Government • Monarchy vests power in one in the interest of all. • Totalitarianism vests power in one in self-interest. • Oligarchy vests power in few in their own interest. • Democracy is power for the people.

5. Philosophical Origins • Enlightenment changes views on government. • Mayflower Compact as example of a social contract. • Hobbes and Locke’s social contract theory. • Hobbes wants a single ruler to protect the weak. • Locke believes the protection of property is key.

6. Political Theorists- “Mt. Rushmore” Hobbes Locke Hume Rousseau

7. David Hume • David Hume - 1734-1750’s - Human nature man was evil. . .Government by the many with negotiation and compromise promoting a union + eventually establishing a republic. Desire rather than reason “Science of Man”

8. Thomas Hobbes 2. Thomas Hobbes -1720-1770’s one needs an inherited monarchy to promote the legitimacy of government Absolutism rules. . . Self interest is national interest. “Social Contract?”

9. John Locke 3.John Locke - 1689 - social contract theory – Life, liberty and property – Consent of the government by Parliament( few) who had a stake in society because it represented people of property. . . poor people don’t lose much when life deteriorates.

10. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • 4. J-J Rousseau – • French Revolution • Rule by all - a complete democracy -- Mobacracy - or maybe Direct Democracy.

11. If one put these 4 on a spectrum, where would they fall? Rousseau Hume Locke Hobbes All Many Few One hyperpluralism pluralism Elite/class Absolute When one governs, one seeks power – Ability to persuade someone else that it is in their (self)ish interest to follow you---Modern Political Theories I. Constitutional Underpinnings

12. Who wields the Power? • Divine Right- King, Shah, Sultan, Emperor • Force- Most might makes right • Evolutionary- Organic evolution- small, kin-based • Social Contract- Let’s make a deal!

13. 1. Power Distribution 1. Power can be distributed three ways in a democracy: (a) Power elite - (Hobbes) - Representative Democracy (b) Political elite- (Hobbes + Locke) - Participatory democracy (c) Majoritarian rule- (Locke or Hume) Direct Democracy (d) “Mob rule” – Rousseau 2. What does one do with the power? --- Make Policy - Actions of Government I. Constitutional Underpinnings

14. Power Structure • Unitary= Single, Central Government • Federal= Divided Central Government- Local, State, Federal • Confederation= Alliance of independent States • Anarchy—Needs to be explained?

15. Government in the Colonies • Colonists feared British-style monarchy. • New England used direct democracy. • Most later colonies used indirect democracy. • Citizens prefer the term republic to democracy. • Republic= People hold power / No monarch • Democracy= equal say in government

16. American Political Culture • Personal liberty, or freedom from government. • Political equality. • Popular consent and majority rule. • Popular sovereignty, which is based in natural law. • Civil society, or the society created by the people. • Individualism. • Religious faith • Capitalism?

17. Political Ideology • Ideologies are beliefs that shape worldviews. • Libertariansfavor free markets and personal liberty. “Pure” Libertarians • Fiscal Conservatives want little regulation of economy. • Social conservatives favor regulation of morality. • Liberals want an active government. • Labels can be problematic. WHY?

18. So What is Changing?

19. Changing American People • Population is increasing in size. • Racial and ethnic composition is shifting. • Country is aging. • Families are becoming smaller and less traditional. • Self(ish) interests?

20. Attitudes Toward Government • Demographics shape our perspective. • American dream is a goal for many citizens. • People have high expectations. • Voters can be apathetic. • Americans may lack faith in leaders. • The standard of living is quite high • Each generation should do better than the last…

21. So?!

22. AV- Faith in Institutions  Who do you trust? “No one over thirty…” Back

23. Figure 1.1- Allocation of the Budget  What is the purpose Of government? Values? $15.3 Trillion + Back

24. Figure 1.2- Adult Self-Identification  Is it easy to fit into the labels? Back

25. Figure 1.3- 2008 Presidential Election  Do you see any demographic trends? Back

26. Figure 1.4- U.S. Population Growth  Does something need to be done? Back

27. Figure 1.5- Race and Ethnicity  WASP? Which box do you check? Historical context Equality Some people are more “Equal” than others Back

28. Figure 1.6- America Is Getting Older  Entitlements? Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Back

29. Table 1.2- Types of Government  Back

30. Table 1.3- Cost of Health Care  Back

31. Three Major Purposes of Government

32. 1. Maintain order (preserving life and protecting property) • Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) • Social contract • John Locke (1632-1704)

33. 2. Providing public goods • Tax citizens for public goods, benefits, and services • Controversial…why?

34. 3. Promoting equality • Controversial…Why?

35. Three values pursued by Democratic Governments

36. 1. Freedom • -freedom to… • -this is the absence of constraints on behavior • -freedom from… • -fight against oppression

37. 2. Order • -preserving life and protecting property • -preserving social order • Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties

38. 3. Equality? • -political? • -social? • -economical? • -equality of opportunity • -equality of outcome

39. Dilemmas of government • Freedom versus order • Freedom versus equality

40. Purpose of Government Unit I