Reading CheckWhat fundamental ideas of the

Constitution come from John Locke? List/describe three.

LockeLocke- Two Treatises on Government

1.People had the right to life, liberty, and property.–Rulers were expected to preserve these rights.

2.Individual rights were more important than the laws and governments. “unalienable rights”3.Absolute rulers went against human nature and should be overthrown. “right to revolution”

Locke on the state of nature and consent of the governed “The state of nature

has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…Being equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.”

“We have reason to conclude that all peaceful beginnings of government have been laid in the consent of the people.”

Locke and The Declaration of Independence

AMERICAN CITIZENS AND POLITICAL CULTURE By Mr. Miguel Academy of Our Lady of Guam

A.P. American Government and Politics

Who are We?

or

In constant flux Rapidly aging nation

Demands of the elderly places strains on the economy

Competition with younger families for government funds

Racial minorities soon to be population majority Interesting parallel dilemma in

Europe with arab/Muslim populations

American Citizenship Citizenship: Both a normative

concept for how government sets out to treat residents and a precise legal status

Jus Soli - the right of the soil Jus Sanguinis – right by blood

Non-Immigrants Those who come to the US that

do not come as legal permanent residents

Political refugees seek asylum Illegal Immigrants –

controversy

U.S. Immigration Policy Today

Question: Who to admit? “One job to an immigrant =

one less job given to a US citizen”

If the economy is good and unemployment is low, not a problem…BUT not the case

Conflicting goals with policy makers, lobbysists, and politicians in Congress

Where do we come from?

1. Faith in rules and individuals 2. Core American Values: Democracy, Freedom, and Equality 3. Equality

What We Believe: The Ideas That Unite Us

1. Faith in rules and individuals

Government assurance that the rules will work smoothly and treat everyone fairly, with no promise of a particular outcome

Universal participation Political equality Majority rule Responsiveness to public

opinion

Government assurance of particular outcomes or results

Guarantee civil rights and liberties

Not just procedures, but real policies

Procedural Guarantees Substantive Guarantees

Core American Values

Seen as the appropriate procedure for making public decisions

Does not apply to private realm

Procedural in a sense

Seen in Bill of Rights Affects us

economically as well

Democracy Freedom

Equality-“Government should guarantee equality of treatment, of access, of opportunity, not equality of result.”- Affirmative Action Controversy

What We Believe: The Ideas that divide us

Political Ideology Definition – consistent set of

values and beliefs about the proper purpose and scope of government

The continuum stretches from anarchy (no government) to totalitarianism

Most of the argument in American politics takes place in the center of this ideological continuum

Main ideologies of USA Liberals – Equality > Freedom

> Order Support social programs,

environmental polices, stronger federal government

Conservatives – order > freedom >equality Support national defense,

stronger state government, free enterprise

Other ideologies Libertarians – Equality >

Freedom & Order Oppose all government action

except which is necessary to protect life and property

Communitarians – Order & Equality > Freedom More socialist in nature

Question: Should America have and endorse and “official” language? Should we be embracing multiculturalism or drive towards cultural assimilation?

Respond to this question with a 1-page response paper.

What’s at Stake