POLS 1101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Civic Engagement, Oligarchy, Limited Government
18 Oct 2016
School
Course
Professor
Shelley Bridger Chapter 1- American Govt.
I. -Why should you study American Democracy Now? Politics: the process of deciding who
benefits in society and who does not. In some countries, P in technology have led to over
throw of governments. In others it had led to positive things like, voting, sending info faster,
etc.
A. How technology has changed politics: huge change that can never be
changed back. Changed voting and communication.
B. The political context now: big issue in Washington is health care.
Government has an issue where people want things done faster but people
do’t at the spedig the oey to do so. They said that college
students become more patriotic after 9/11. Before 9/11 people did not trust
their government. Efficacy: citizens beliefs that they have the ability to
achieve something desirable and that the govt. listens to people like them.
The people had a lack of efficacy evidence (proved in bar graph) shows that
young people are more excited to be in this country. Government works
better when people voice their views.
C. Civic engagement acting on your views. Civic engagement: individual and
collective actions that are designed to identify and address issues of public
concern. EX: tutoring and volunteer work. Political engagement: citizens
actions that are intended to solve a public problem through public means.
II. What government does: Government: institution that creates and implements policies and
laws that guide the conduct of the nation and its citizens. Citizens: members of the country
that get benefits of being in the country. Naturalization: process of becoming citizens by
means other than birth (immigration)
A. Protect sovereign territory and national defense. This is protection. EX: air
force, marines, etc.
B. To preserve and stability: emt, fire truck, etc. Legitimacy: Quality placed on
government by citizens who believe that its exercise of power is right and
proper.
C. To establish and maintain a legal system: constitution for USA. Also making
rules and enforcing them. EX: police.
D. To provide services: keeping everyone with what they need. EX: inspecting
buildings, building bridges, education, etc. Public Goods: goods whose
benefits cannot be limited and are available to everyone. Since everyone
uses these things it is paid for by all types of taxes.
E. To raise and spend money: Government spends money on services and pays
for them through taxes.
F. To socialize new generations: getting the new generation of kids comfy with
law enforcement. EX: sending cops into kids classes.
III. Type of Government: Two types: who participates in governing or selecting those who
govern.
A. Monarchy: Government in which there is a royal family. Passed down from
family to family.
B. Oligarchy: elite few who have power. Some are a dictatorship. EX: North
Korea.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Politics: the process of deciding who benefits in society and who does not. In some countries, p in technology have led to over throw of governments. In others it had led to positive things like, voting, sending info faster, etc: how technology has changed politics: huge change that can never be changed back. Changed voting and communication: the political context now: big issue in washington is health care. Government has an issue where people want things done faster but people do(cid:374)"t (cid:449)a(cid:374)t the(cid:373) spe(cid:374)di(cid:374)g the (cid:373)o(cid:374)ey to do so. They said that college students become more patriotic after 9/11. Before 9/11 people did not trust their government. Efficacy: citizens beliefs that they have the ability to achieve something desirable and that the govt. listens to people like them. The people had a lack of efficacy evidence (proved in bar graph) shows that young people are more excited to be in this country. Government works better when people voice their views.
