The Political Landscape
Chapter 1
O’Connor and Sabato
American Government:
Continuity and Change
1
The Political Landscape
•
In this chapter we will cover…
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Roots of American Government
The Theory of Democratic Government
Characteristics of American Democracy
American Political Culture and the American
People
5. Ideology of Americans
6. Views of Government
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1. The Roots of American
Government
• Aristotle and the Greeks articulated the idea of
natural law.
• Society should be governed by ethical principles
that are part of nature and can be understood
through reason.
• Government before had been by “divine right,”
but these philosophical changes put humans on
the road toward self government.
3
Popular Consent
Social Contract Theory
• People are source of power
• People give consent to government
to rule
• Government provides protection of
natural rights
4
Founding a New System
At the time of the founding of our nation
several forms of governments existed…
– Monarchy
– Oligarchy
– Aristocracy
All are based on elite rule and
give few rights to the people
who live under them.
The colonists did not want to live under the
systems they had suffered under in the Old World
so they established a new system: democracy.
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2. The Theory of Democratic
Government
• Direct democracy
• Indirect democracy
• Republic
6
Direct Democracy
• A system in which all come
together periodically to discuss
policy and abide by majority
rule.
– New England town meeting
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Indirect Democracy
A system of government that
allows citizens to vote for
representatives who will work
on their behalf.
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Republic
A government rooted in
the consent of the
governed.
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The Economic System
Capitalism
• private ownership of property
• free market economy (laissezfaire)
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3. Characteristics of American
Democracy
1. popular consent
2. popular sovereignty
3. majority rule
4. individualism
5. equality
6. personal liberty
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4. American Political Culture
and the American People
Population of the United States:
– July 1, 1900 there were 76,094,000
– Today there are over 293,656,000
• One birth every.................................7.8 seconds
• One death every.................................. 14 seconds
• One international migrant (net) every............ 14
seconds
• One Federal U.S. citizen (net) returning every...2891
seconds
• Net gain of one person every..................... 13 seconds
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– Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Changing Demographics
• Not only are we bigger we
are also more diverse.
• In colonial times most
Americans were AngloSaxon.
• In 2000, the U.S. population
was made up of…
–
–
–
–
whites 69.1%
African Americans 12.1%
Hispanics 12.5%
Asian 3.6%
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Graying of America
• In 2011, the
“baby boom”
generation will
begin to turn 65,
and by 2030, it is
projected that
one in five
people will be
age 65 or older.
• The growth of the population age 65 and older will affect
every aspect of our society, presenting challenges as well
as opportunities to policymakers, families, businesses,
and health care providers.
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5. Ideology of Americans
• Political ideology is an individual’s coherent set of
values and beliefs about the scope and purpose of
government.
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Ideology of Americans
• Conservativism – thought to
believe that a government is best
that governs least and that big
government can only infringe on
individual, personal, and
economic rights.
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Ideology of Americans
• Liberalism – thought to favor
government involvement in the
economy and the provision of social
services and to take an activist role
in protecting women, the elderly,
minorities, and the environment.
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Ideology of Americans
• Libertarianism – thought to
favor a free market economy and
no governmental interference in
personal liberties.
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6. Views of Government
• Our ideology and experiences greatly affect
how we view our government.
• It is part of our culture to expect negative
campaigns, dishonest politicians, and
political pundits who bash our leaders and
institutions.
• Looking at our government in such a light
leads many to remain uninformed and
pessimistic.
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High Expectations and No
Appreciation of the Good
• Americans expect more and more from their
government.
• Many Americans do not know what
government actually does for them.
–
–
–
–
Regulation of airwaves for TV and Radio
Clean water
FDA inspections
Air Traffic Control
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