
Despite general political misconception and ignorance among the US citizens,
US citizens make political decisions through a democracy.
Learning to think politically

Politically thinking- reflective thinking focused on deciding what can reasonably
be believed and then using this information to make political judgment. Defined
by the process through which conclusions are reached.

Democracy is double edged
 Provides opportunity for personal development
 Devise cockeyed visions of reality
Obstacles to politically thinking

Major barrier – Some individuals refuse to take their responsibilities to pay close
attention to politics

Ru ert Murdoch!!!!Others pay close attention in a counterproductive way.

Information is both more widely available and less trustworthy than ever
before, faulty perceptions are becoming more prevalent.
 Two decades ago, knowledge gap was defined largely by the amount of
attention people paid to the news

Change of news source to blame- half of adult Americans get most of
their news from cable television, talk shows, or blogs.
 These outlets routinely slant information to fit their purposes and
bury contradictory fact.
 During the buildup of the Iraq War, the worst informed
Americans mostly obtain their news from cable television
shows. WORST THAN CITIZENS THAT PAY

INFREQUEENT ATTENTION TO THE NEWS!!!
“Blur of rumor, fact, propaganda, and infotainment.”

The Bush administration, through its holds on the
intelligence agencies, tightly controlled the messages coming
from the US government. Iraq and Al Qaeda are lumped
together as the target of the war on terror, leading many

Americans, mostly Republicans, to conclude that Iraq and
Al Qaeda are indistinguishable.
 The Obama administration put a favorable slant on the
impact of its economic stimulus programs, leading some
Americans, mostly Democrats, to think that the
administration had saved or created many more jobs than it
actually had.
People tend to prefer messages that conform to what they already
believe. Misinformation spreads easily when those in touch with

the like- minded are not also in contact with other information
sources.
 Importance to consider counter- arguments and opposing
views.
POLITICAL SCIENCE- THE SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF GOVERNMENT
AND POLITICS
Political culture: Americans enduring beliefs
Political culture: the widely shared and deep seated beliefs of its people about
politics. These beliefs help define the relationship among citizens, their government
and to each other. CORE IDEALS

American beliefs are the foundation of their national identity. Not kinship.
 First European white settlers- European heritage
 Enlightenment- individual choice American Revolution- first large
scale rebellion in human history
 Core Values:
The individual is paramount, government is secondary.

LIBERTY
 The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they
choose, provided that they are not infringe unreasonably on the
freedom and well-being of others.
 Liberty in America is tied to a desire for economic independence.

INDIVIDUALISM
 A commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency.
 Early Americans experienced unprecedented economic opportunities
because unlike Europe, there were no hereditary nobility that owned
virtually all the land. WORK HARD AND SUCCESS SENSE
OF SELF RELIANCE &Rugged individualism

EQUALITY
 The notion that all individuals are equal in their worth and thereby


entitled to equal treatment under the law.
No aristocratic system
Americas most perplexing ideal
 Jefferson: idk its exact meaning … free citizens○, slaves×


Debate continues: Does equality requires wealth and opportunity
be shared? Or that it merely requires that artificial barriers to
advancement be removed.
SELF GOVERNMENT.


People are the ultimate source of governing authority and should have
a voice in governing
 America held the most elections; has the most publicly elected officials
 Primary elections
Limits and power or Americas ideals
 250 years many slaves
 Jim Crow Era
 Today: AA children are twice as likely to live in poverty and die in infancy
 Equality has never been a birth right
 Wives as husbands properties
 Stolen Indian land

Discrimination against Asians.
 1882 Congress suspended Chinese immigration under the
assumption that they are inferior people.


1923 Calvin Coolidge asked for a permanent ban on Chinese
immigration
 Japanese are prohibited from purchasing property in California
 Discriminatory laws are eliminated from the US immigration laws
in 1965
Most relentless struggle towards equality
 Civil rights movements of AA(civil war), women(1848
Declaration of Sentiments), Hispanics, gays
 Free public education, spends more$ on education, 1/4 college
 Selective memory: Adults want their children to be taught about Americas
achievements than its shortcomings.
POLITICS AND POWER IN AMERICA

Politics is the means by which society settles its conflicts and allocates the
resulting benefits and cost.
 “war by other means”
 Authoritarian often repress their political opponents to stay in power

 Most extreme form- totalitarianism- no limits on its power
Power: the ability of persons groups or institutions to influence political
development
DEMOCRACY, CONSTITUTIONALISM, AND FREE MARKET
Democracy- form of government in which people govern directly/ through reps
 Majoritarianism- the result of political leaders responding to the policy desires of
the majority
 Economic crisis in 2008- helped democrats win control of the presidency
and congress. The democrats enacted economic stimulus bill (2009),

responding to the majority demand for economic assistance.
The economy hasn’t recovered after a year, people started to think that the
bill was a mistake. The republicans took control of house of rep.

Pluralism holds that on most issues, the preference of the government largely
determines what government does

Party Polarization characterized most of the United States party politics.
 High level of bipartisanship in the end of WWII (1945) ~1960, particularly
in foreign affairs. Leaders of both parties agreed to contain Soviet
communism and spread US influence.

Authority- the recognized right of officials to exercise power.
 Officials make authoritative decisions routinely, only some of which are a
response to power asserted by the majority or special interest.
 Obama increased troop level in Afghanistan despite US citizen
preference to decrease troop level.
CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM

Prevents majority tyranny through checks and balances.
 Constitution divides authority among government branches
 The Bill of Rights further checks on the majority
Constitutionalism- the idea the there are lawful restrictions on government’s
power. Officials are obliged to act within the limits of the law.
The Bill of Rights in combination with an independent judiciary and a firm


attachment to private property have made legal action- the use of the courts as a
means of asserting rights and interests- a channel which ordinary citizens
exercise powers. Americans are very litigious.
Free market system- operates mainly one private transaction
 Many society’s costs and benefits are allocated through the private sector
 Government intervenes through regulatory, taxing, and spending policies.
 Lower tax rate than Europe
 Corporate power operates in part through the influence that firms have with
policy makers.
 2/3 of lobbyists represent business firms
 Corporate contribute heavily on political candidates
 US firms have great control over wages and working conditions
Elitism- power exercised by well positioned and highly influential individuals

.
Chapter 2: Constitutional democracy

The constitution sought to create
 A limited government that is subjected to legal limits on the uses of power
so that it doesn’t threaten people’s liberty.
 A representative government, in which people govern through the selection
of their representatives.
 Limited government requires that majority rule stop at the point where it
infringes on the legitimate rights and interest of the minority, thus it conflicts
with a representative government.
BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION



Britain’s constitutional monarchy+ colonies experience in self-government
After the French and Indian War, Britain levied heavy taxes on the colonies to
reduce its debt.
 The Stamp Act no taxation without representation. The Stamp Act
 Townshend Act(paper, glass, tea lead) only tea  Boston Tea Party
First Constitutional Congress in Philly  demand for their own council for the
imposition of taxes, an end to Britain’s military occupation, and a guarantee of
trial by local juries. King George III: “NO!” American Revolution
The Declaration of Independence


John Locke: government is founded on a social contract. People submit to
government’s authority for protection of their inalienable rights (life, liberty,
property). If a government fails to do so, the people can rebel.
Constitution- fundamental law that defines how a government will legitimately
operate.
The Article of Confederation

First government was based not on the Constitution but on the Articles of
Confederation.
 States had remained its full sovereignty, freedom, and independence and are
governed separately.




No independent executive or judiciary branch
9/13 votes for legislation to be enacted.
All States have to agree in order to amend the Articles of Confederation.
Congress is prohibited from taxing or interfering with states trade policies
A Nation Dissolving

Shay’s Rebellion in Massachusetts
 Farmers were given assurance during the Revolution War that their land
would not be confiscated for unpaid debt and they will be paid for their
military services during the Revolution War. > U NO PAY ME+ heavy taxes



Congress: me no army to send> omg the gov is weak!!!
Annapolis convention- only five states sent delegates thus no change made
James and Alex convinced the delegates to adopt a resolution calling for a
convention to revisit the Articles of Confederation
BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION
 Instead of revisiting the AOC, they drafted a plan for a new form of government
 Georgie, Ben, James were determined to form a strong government
The Great Compromise



Virginia Plan (Large State plan)- separate judicial and executive branches +a two
chamber congress with supreme authority over defense and interstate trade.
LARGER STATES HAVE MORE REPS 
The New Jersey Plan (Small State plan)- a stronger government that has the
power to tax, and to regulate commerce. Single Chamber- each state a vote
The Great compromise- bicameral congress (House of Representativesapportioned on the basis of population/ Senate- each state two Senators
The Three-Fifths Compromise: Issue of Slavery and Trade

Southern delegates were worried that Norther delegates will tax or bar the
importation of slaves. They were determined to block any effort to end slavery
through a new Constitution.

Northern States, with a numerical majority, might enact tax policies injurious to
the South. Ex:


Protective tariffs on manufactured goods imported from Europe, which the
South was more dependent on
 Tariffs on the export of agricultural goods
Compromise:
 Tax on imports, not exports
 No laws ending slavery until 1808
 The Three-Five compromise- count slaves as 3/5 a person for taxing and rep
A Strategy for Ratification

9/13 agree
The Ratification Debate

Anti-Federalists-a strong central government threatens self-government + liberty
 No Bill of Rights= a central government free to define people’s rights +
taxation
 Presidency- American monarchy?!—the Electoral College lessened the
concern.

Federalists- the government of the constitution has the power to forge a secure

and prosperous union and would not endanger self governance nor personal
freedom because of the restriction.
The majority (poor people) was against the constitutional ratification.
The Framers’ Goals


A written document defining the government’s lawful power would represent a
higher power than the dictates of any political leaders or institution
Limited government and representative government
LIMITED GOVERNMENT- PROTECTING LIBERTY
 The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose,

provided that they are not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and
well-being of others.
The constitution limits the government by confining its scope to constitutional
grants of power and denials of power. The constitution is also hard to amend.


Separation of power
Separated institution sharing power to describe the framers governing
system. The separated branches are interlocked in such a way that the system of
Checks and Balances is created. No institution can act without the support or
acquiescence of the other institution.
Judicial review

Marbury v. Madison enable
Mechanism
Purpose
Grants of Power
Separated
Institutions
Federalism
Denials of Power
Bil of Rights
Judicial review
Elections
Power granted to the national government; accordingly,
powers not granted it are denied it unless they are necessary
and proper to carrying out of the granted powers
The division of the national government’s power among three
power-sharing branches, each of which is to act as a check on
the powers of the other two.
Power expressly denied to the national and state government
by the Constitution
The first ten amendments to the Constitution which specify
rights of citizens that the national government must respect.
The power of the courts to declare governmental action null
and void when it is found to violate the Constitution
Thw power of the voters to remove officials from office.
Democracy v. Republic

Democracy- a government in which the power of the majority is unlimited,
whether exercised directly or through a representative body. The will of the
majority is absolute. Should it decide to at tyrannically- to run roughshod over
the minority-there is nothing in the law to stop it.

Republic- a government consisted of carefully designed institutions that are
responsive to the majority but not captive to it.
Limited Popular Rule
 Electoral college- electoral votes= numbers of members in congress
Changes in structure of government

Jeffersonian Democracy- The government under President Adams increasingly
favored the wealthy interests. Adams indicated that the constitution is designed
for the elites and hinted that he might use force to suppress dissent. Jefferson
won the next election. However, he idea how a popular government should work
in practice. Mostly revolution of the spirit, taught Americans to look on national
government institution as belonging to all, not just the privileged few.


Jacksonian Democracy- electoral votes to popular votes
The progressive Era- representatives as delegates- office holders who are
obliged to carry out the expressed opinions of the people they represent

 Primary elections
 Direct election of senatorsy
Popularity majority have more barriers comparing to other countries.