Chapter Outline Public Goods and the State Functions of the
State Taming the State Democracy and the People
Slide 3
Chapter Outline The American Voter Female Candidates Ideology
and Public Opinion Elite and Mass Opinion
Slide 4
Two Fundamental Kinds of State Elitist state tends toward
tyranny. Pluralist state tends to permit considerable individual
freedom.
Slide 5
The Tragedy of the Commons Many things vital to humans as
social beings conflict with things vital to humans as individuals.
To provide for the common or collective good, people often must
surrender control over their lives to leaders and governments. This
surrender often results in misery, when leaders use their power to
repress, exploit, and enslave people.
Slide 6
Public Goods Vital to Human Society 1. Secure from harm from
other members. 2. Secure against harm from external dangers. 3.
Resources and services must be provided that cannot be supplied by
voluntary individual actions.
Slide 7
Agricultural Development and the Scope of Political Structures
Level of agricultural development Scope of political structure
NoneLowMediumHigh Local only81.657.134.922.8
Semistate18.439.357.236.8 State0.03.67.940.4 100.0% Number of
Societies( 38)(28)(63)( 57)
Slide 8
The State and Warfare Scope of political structure Frequency of
external warfare Local onlySemistateState Constant 46.257.971.4
Common 15.315.814.3 Occasional 10.32.614.3 Rare 28.223.70.0 100.0%
Number of Societies ( 39)( 38)( 7)
Slide 9
The State and Stratification Scope of Political Structure
Degree of StratificationLocal OnlySemistateState Low93.953.40.0
Medium6.133.331.0 High0.013.369.0 100.0% Number of Societies(82)(
75)29)
Slide 10
Threats to Democracy Tyranny of the minority: A privileged few
would capture the state and use its powers to repress and exploit
the many. Tyranny of the majority: A majority of citizens would use
representative government to exploit and abuse minorities. This led
to the system of checks and balance in the U.S. Government.
Slide 11
The Elitist State Power resides with a single elite group that
rules the state and can use its coercive powers as it sees fit. It
is almost impossible for an elitist state to avoid being
tyrannical.
Slide 12
Pluralist State Rules governing state power are maintained by
the existence of many competing elites. Ruled by shifting
coalitions of many minorities. Pluralism is the mechanism that
sustains democracy as each of many political blocs act to preserve
its right to influence decision making.
Slide 13
The Power Elite Concept that the U.S. is ruled by a small set
of people who hold the most power. The power derives from the
positions they hold in three major kinds of organizations: The
military The government bureaucracy Large corporations
Slide 14
The American Voter The wealthier and more educated are more
likely are to support Republican candidates. Men are a bit more
likely to vote for Republicans, while women slightly favor
Democrats. African Americans vote for Democrats by a margin of more
than 4 to 1.
Slide 15
The American Voter Percent who:(%) Voted in 1996 presidential
election49 Displayed a campaign button or bumper sticker10 Made a
campaign contribution9 Could name her or his member of Congress23
Recognized name of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court 8 Read a
newspaper daily31 Watch TV news daily: National29 Local 33
Slide 16
Why There Are Few Women in Elected Offices Journalists, party
leaders, and potential candidates believe voters prefer male
candidates. Party leaders may be reluctant to support female
candidates when their party has a chance to win.
Slide 17
Why There Are Few Women in Elected Offices Political action
committees may be reluctant to fund female candidates. Qualified
women may be reluctant to run, believing female candidates face a
handicap with voters.
Slide 18
Study of Female Candidates and Elections Jody Newman, a
researcher for the National Womens Political Caucus, conducted a
study: She obtained the results of all elections for: state
legislatures in 1986, 1988, 1990, and 1992. elections of U.S.
representatives and senators from 1972 through 1992. Elections for
governor since 1972.
Slide 19
Study of Female Candidates and Elections Compared the success
of male and female candidates overall and against one another.
Results: a candidates sex does not affect his or her chances of
winning an election. Data showed incumbents have a huge advantage
in elections. Since current officeholders are disproportionately
men, incumbents also are disproportionately male.
