shea chapter 1

1American Government: Democracy in Action

Video: The Big Picture

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Video: The Basics

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It’s Your Government

How Government Affects Our Lives

Our Unique Political System

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How Government Affects Our Lives

Politics: The process by which the actions of government are determined

Public policy: What government decides to do or not do

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TABLE 1.1: Government is all around us

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How Government Affects Our Lives

What role can you play in politics to shape public policy? Vote, campaign, run for office Lobby Litigation Grassroots activities

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1.1Youth and political causes

Our Unique Political System

Unique history

Rights of the accused

Life tenure for judges Power to invalidate laws Litigation

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FIGURE 1.1: Global rating on political rights

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Our Unique Political System

Fragmented governmental system Checks and balances Bicameral legislature Federalism

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1.1 Which of the following would not be considered a way to influence policymakers in a democracy?

a. Protesting or picketing

b. Voting

c. Refusing to pay taxes

d. Writing a letter to your college newspaper

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1.11.1 Which of the following would not be considered a way to influence policymakers in a democracy?

a. Protesting or picketing

b. Voting

c. Refusing to pay taxes

d. Writing a letter to your college newspaper

Explore the Constitution: How Do You Measure Freedom?

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Themes of This Book

Citizen Participation in Democratic

Government

Pathways of Action

Diversity in American Society

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Citizen Participation in Democratic Government

Nonviolent ways to shape policy

Responsiveness depends on knowledge

and action

Change is purposely slow

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1.2Nonviolent political participation

FIGURE 1.2: A comparative look at voting rates since 1992

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TABLE 1.2: Levels of political engagement

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FIGURE 1.3: Political engagement before and after the 2008 election

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Pathways of Action 1.2

Pathways of Action

Elections

Lobbying

Court

Grassroots mobilization

Cultural change

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FIGURE 1.4: The ten steps in choosing a pathway of action an illustration: Toughening drunk driving regulations

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Diversity in American Society

Civil rights for: African-Americans Women Immigrants Disabled Homosexuals

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Table 1.3: The face of a changing nation

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a. Contacting policymakers and pressuring them to support or oppose policies under consideration

b. Bribing elected officials

c. Filing a lawsuit against the government

d. Campaigning for your favored candidates

1.2 What is one example of lobbying?

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a. Contacting policymakers and pressuring them to support or oppose policies under consideration

b. Bribing elected officials

c. Filing a lawsuit against the government

d. Campaigning for your favored candidates

1.21.2 What is one example of lobbying?

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist

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Divisive issue

All major political institutions involved

Provides example of using pathways of action

1.3Citizen Participation and Pathways: Example of Abortion

1.3Abortion and personhood

1.31.3 What is the indirect pathway employed by both supporters and opponents of abortion called?a. Lobbying

b. Cultural change

c. Elections

d. Boycotts

1.3 What is the indirect pathway employed by both supporters and opponents of abortion called?a. Lobbying

b. Cultural change

c. Elections

d. Boycotts

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Video: In the Real World

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Change and Stability in American Government

Sources of stability Broadly accepted framework: Reverence for the

Constitution and capitalism Political culture: “American creed” Numerous avenues of change

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Dollar bill 1.4

Change and Stability in American Government

Sources of stability Political culture: “American creed” Numerous avenues of change

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Video: In Context

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1.4Ron Paul

1.4 America’s overarching values include all of the following except:

a. Fairness

b. Democracy

c. Capitalism

d. Freedom

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1.41.4 America’s overarching values include all of the following except:

a. Fairness

b. Democracy

c. Capitalism

d. Freedom

Explore the Simulation: You Are a Candidate for Congress

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What are the pathways to participation in our democracy? How effective are they at bringing about changes in public policy? Use concrete examples from the text.

Discussion Question 1

Video: So What?

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