Government in the United States of America

Thomas Jefferson once said that there has never been, nor ever

will be a people who are politically ignorant and free.

Political Knowledge:

– Fosters civic virtues such as political tolerance

– Helps citizens identify what policies would benefit them and then incorporate this information in their voting behavior

– Promotes active political participation

What do you want to know about the American Government?

How is “Big Money” countered in politics?

Why should you participate?

How can you participate?

Maintain national defense

Preserve order

Provide public services

Education

Infrastructure

How do you pick the best doctor or car mechanic?

A delegate at the Constitutional Convention, Roger Sherman, said the people “should have as little

to do as may be with the government.”

Only later did ideas changeAbraham Lincoln, “Government of the people, by

the people, and for the people.”

Dahl’s Ideal Democratic Process

•Equality in voting

•Effective Participation

•Enlightened understanding

•Citizen control of the agenda

• Inclusion

Majority Rule

Minority Rights

A Majority of One?

• Increased Complexity of Issues– Ordinary citizens have the good sense to reach political

judgments– Those who Command knowledge control power

• Limited Participation– Genuine democracy is not simply a machine that, once

set up, functions by itself. It takes people• Escalating Campaign Cost

– $500,000 at least to run for House of Representatives• Diverse Political Interests

– Gridlock– A Culture War?– Is America too polarized or are the majority of American

more centrists?

1. Political knowledge?2. What do you want to know about the

American Government?3. Participation?4. What should the government do?5. Democracy?6. Representation?7. Challenges?