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 hasnt 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 governments

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 societys 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 doesnt threaten peoples 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

Britains 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 Britains 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

governments 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

Shays 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 peoples 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 governments 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 wellbeing 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
Grants of Power

Purpose
Power granted to the national government; accordingly,
powers not granted it are denied it unless they are necessary

Separated
Institutions
Federalism
Denials of Power

and proper to carrying out of the granted powers

The division of the national governments 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
Bil of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution which specify
rights of citizens that the national government must respect.
Judicial review
The power of the courts to declare governmental action null
and void when it is found to violate the Constitution
Elections
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.