Chapter 1: The Spirit of American Politics

We focus on four major question throughout this series to help make sense of American Politics and Government.
  1. Who Governs?
    • Do the people rule?
    • What if we are not in charge-- then who is?
  2. How Does American Politics Work?
    1. This is the most confusing part, it will be a guide through a maze to help understand what makes American Politics and Government tick
  3. What Does Government Do?
    1. We will show you how politics can be honorable, and whether government is a problem, a solution... or perhaps a mixture
  4. Who are we?
    1. American Politics shapres who we are-- as a community, a people, and a nation.

Who Governs?

The United States in the constitution was formed to be a republic in which the people are in charge. The problem with republics is that they had a history of not lasting (ie. Athens, Rome, Florence-- had collapsed). Benjamin Franklin made a point that in order to maintain control of the republic, the people needed to be vigilant and active. Now that most adults have the ability to vote, do the people actually rule? Or do only the rich and powerful make most of the decisions? Today, critics still charge claim that the very wealthy-- the top 1 percent-- have stripped the people of money and influence. Many of the 600 billionaires pour money into political campaigns that fund their favorite causes. In response to this belief that government bureaucrats and mainstream media elites have grabbed control they voted for Donald Trump. But even the presidents most ardent supports share a common belief with the others, The people's voices are not being heard.
Over the years, political scientists have developed different theories as to where power really resides in American Politics, to where there lies four theories that are especially important:
  • Pluralist Theory
    • People can influence government through interest groups that focus on specific topics
    • Pluralists suggests that interests groups give people a voice
  • Elite Theory
    • Power resides in the hands of a small number of wealthy and powerful individuals
    • The Richest Americans, Executives, Top Government Officials especially in the executive branch
  • Bureaucratic Theory
    • Control lies with the millions of men and women who carry out the day-to-day operations of modern government
    • These Bureaucratic experts establish policy and sideline most American's influcence
  • Social Movement Theory
    • Emphasizes that power resides within the people when they organize and rise up in protest, regardless of who is in control

How Does American Politics Work?

 We The classical definition of politics is: Who gets what, when, and how. But an even simpler definition is: Politics is how a society makes its collective decisions. Collective decisions are made in the United States by focusing on four "Is": Ideas, Institutions, Interests, and Individuals.
  • Ideas
    • Powerful Ideas shape American Politics, at first glance they may seem simple, but each has at least two very different sides
    • Even during the Constitution Convention in 1787, most believed the people "should have as little to do with government. They Lack information and are constantly liable to be misled"
      • An elaborate checks and balances system on the people by judges appointed for life, the electoral college, ect.
  • Institutions
    • Institutions are the organizations, norms, and rules that structure political action
      • Examples: Texas Legislature, Supreme Court, Department of Homeland Security, ...ect
    • The rules within an organization tend to be vastly different than other institutions and thus lead to interesting outcomes
  • Interests
    • Rational Choice Theory suggests that people calculate the costs and benefits of any action to determine what will maximize their own self-interests 
    • "Rat Choice Model" suggests that all political outcomes-- elections, the passage of laws, even mass rallies-- are an aggregate of the public's individual interests
    • In the next few chapters we will discuss: group interest, self interest, and public interest.
  • Individuals
    • Ordinary People change the world, highlighting the importance of individual initiative in every operation of American government
    • Individuals with a passion for political change can make a difference in politics-- and in people's lives
  • History
    • We need to be able to look back at history for why things in politics and government are the way they are

What Does Government Do?

  • Context: Government in Society
    • There are 3 sectors of society 
      • Private Life
        • Involves individuals, families, and friends connecting with one another
      • Civil Society
        • People joining with others to do something (ie. volunteering, bible study, ect.)
      • Government
        • The set of institutions that make decisions for the whole society
    • Public-private partnerships bring private actors such as businesses together with government officials
  • No Big Government
    • Only 18% of Americans believe that they can trust the National Government "to do the right thing most of the time"
    • Government actually has a lot to do with the development of society and does not get much fame for most things it does right
  • What Government Does
    • Basic Functions of Government were in the constitution: "Establish Justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of the liberty"
    • Government has a $4.4 trillion dollar annual budget
      • Many are surprised to find that 75% of all federal spending goes to just 4 categories (Grosses over $3 trillion)
        • Social Security: provides steady income to people over 65
        • Military
        • Medicare: Provides Healthcare for people over sixty-five
        • Medicaid: Provides Healthcare for children and lower income Americans 
    • Government sets rules for society
  • A Chronic Problem
    • Americans actually pay lower taxes compared to citizens of most other advanced industrial nations!
      • US tax burden ranks 31st/34 of the wealth nations!
      • Even so, Americans think they are taxed too much
    • Americans like the programs the government funds, but does not like funding the government for the programs...
    • The United States borrows money to cover the difference between government spending and tax revenues, resulting in a big problem
    • It is hard to raise taxes (people hate them), but it is also hard to cut programs (people like them), and so the US keeps borrowing to make up for the difference
  • The Hidden Government
    • American Government actually does a lot for its citizens, but most goes unnoticed!
    • Government foes not get enough credit for helping people and creating a stronger nation

Who are we?

  • Each generation helps remake American society, culture, and politics.
  • Each generation embraces different values, engages in civic life to greater/lesser degrees, and accesses some but not other institutions
  • Every Feature of American Government are all part of the struggle to define and redefine the United States