Democratic Political System

Democratic Political System

How Things Get Done in a Pluralistic Democratic

State

Speaking the Language of DemocracyAll states have some form of• Government- Institution through which the state

maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens

Some states have• Democracy- A system of government in which people

rule.The United States has a• Republic- A (democratic) system of government in which

people elect policy makers (representatives) who make policy to represent the will of the people

Our system is a contest• Policy- Government response to a problem or issue• Politics- The struggle to control policy making

The Democratic Political System is a set of institutions

and activities that link together people and their government

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

People Interests, Concerns, Problems

People Interests, Concerns, Problems

People• Concerns:

gas prices, crime, college tuition, Social Security…

• Interests: boating, cycling, art…

• Problems:paying bills, noisy neighbors, trash pick up,

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Linkage Institutions

• Political Parties: nominate candidates for office, represent political ideologies

• Elections: Allow us to vote for candidates who promise to represent our views

• Interest Groups:organizations that represent a group’s interest by influencing policy makers. Ex. NRA, AEA, Oil Industry

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Policy-MakingInstitutions

• Legislature: makes laws addressing issues and concerns, Ex- minimum wage laws

• Executive:(President, Governor) enforces those laws

• Courts:settle disputes over the law, interprets the law

• Bureaucracy:government agencies responsible for running the government

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policies• Laws:

increasing mileage requirements for cars,

• Regulations: food labels, emissions standards

• Spending:increasing Social Security benefits

• Taxes or Tax Cuts: reducing federal gasoline tax

• Programs:Free or reduced lunch

• Not Doing AnythingWhat?

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

People• New concerns, interests,

and problems…• Ex.- increasing Social

Security taxes makes it difficult for young workers to save for college

• Pluralism- governing by satisfying diverse and competing interest

• The process occurs at federal, state, and local levels of government between thousands of competing interests

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

Linkage InstitutionsPolitical Parties, Elections, Interest Groups

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleInterests, Concerns, Problems

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

Policy Making InstitutionsCongress, Executive, Courts, Bureaucracy

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

PoliciesLaws, Regulations, Spending, Taxes,

Programs, Nondecision

PeopleNew Interests, Concerns, Problems

PeopleNew Interests, Concerns, Problems

Any Questions?Are you sure?