government, democracy, & the policymaking system · • elitism – the theory claims that an...
TRANSCRIPT
Government, Democracy, & the Policymaking System
CONSTITUTIONAL UNDERPINNINGS
• As a society we prefer order to chaos and as a result have created government – the institutions and processes through which public policies are made for a society.
• Today government affects everyone, especially young people:– It decides at what age people can drive– Requires people to have a social security card in order to work– Finances some student loans – Dictates school holidays– Raises and lowers taxes
• Yet, historically young people tend to be apathetic toward politics.
• Generally speaking governments . . . – Maintain a national defense– Provide public services (roads, schools, etc.)– Preserve order (i.e. the police and National Guard)
• In order to do these things taxes are usually collected by the government (Approximately $1 out of every $3 earned by U.S. citizens goes to national, state, & local taxes).
• Deciding what government should do is considered the political process. –Politics: the process by which we select our governmental leaders and what policies these leaders pursue. Politics produces authoritative decisions about public policies.
• Whether the “people” get to participate and how they participate helps define what type of government is present.
• In the United States the “people” hold the power to shape the political process, thus we are classified as a democracy.
• We can . . . – Vote– Join an interest group – Run for political office– Speak up, etc.
• Under the U.S. political system, ideas originate with the people and through the vehicles of linkage institutions a policy agenda is formed for which policymaking institutions can create policy that will in turn affect the public.
Democracy
• Democracy: a system of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and responds to the public’s preferences.
“Government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”
• However, was Lincoln right? Has that always been true? Is it true now?
– Originally only white males above the age of 21 could vote
– African Americans weren’t viewed as citizens– Women don’t obtain the right to vote until 1920
• So what is good democracy? Traditional Democratic Theory developed by Robert Dahl states that the criteria is . . . – Equality in voting (one person, one vote)– Effective participation (equal opportunity to express one’s preferences)
– Enlightened understanding (society should be a marketplace of ideas thus free speech is essential)
– Citizen control of the agenda (the citizenry as a whole should have the right to direct policy, not just elite groups)
– Inclusion (rights must be extended to all those subject to the nation’s laws)
• In it’s most simplest form democracy should equate to majority rule – meaning that policies made should reflect the will of over half the voters.
• However, in the United States we also care about the protection of minority rights, which in theory can undermine democracy.
• Dahl argued that no country meets the model criteria of democracy, which he considered to be a simply a theoretical utopia.
• In America a number of theories exist that try and describe who has power and influence, in other words who really has the ability to make policy.
• The 3 Theories of American Democracy:– Pluralism– Elitism– Hyperpluralism
• Pluralism– The theory proclaims the policymaking process in America is open to all groups, with no single group dominating.
– Due to open access to various government institutions, an array of interest groups can compete in the political process.
– This theory views interest groups as a positive because they are seen as a vehicle for people with shared interests, which have a voice in policymaking.
• Elitism– The theory claims that an upper‐class elite holds the power and makes policy regardless of the way the U.S. government is set up.
– Unlike pluralism, elitism holds more of a pessimistic view of American democracy because it reflects the notion that less than the majority holds the power to make decisions.
• Hyperpluralism– This theory argues that groups are so strong that government itself is overrun or weakened.
– Government often gives into groups. – Hyperpluralists think there are too many ways for groups to control policy, too much overlap between national, state, and local governments, and generally too much fragmentation to fight off the power of special interests.
– The theory suggests public interest is rarely translated into public policy.
Examples
• Elitism: McDonalds lobbies school districts to sell only their food in school cafeterias despite 90% of the American people objecting.
• Hyperpuralism: Environmentalist groups sue the state government because they are trying to eliminate manatee speed zones – they say it violates the Endangered Species Act. Boat manufactures lobby state lawmakers to eliminate them anyway. PETA runs ads on TV to support the governor who agrees that zones should stay. The state supreme court rules the zones are to be determined by local governments.
• Puralism: Pro‐Choice advocates join NOW and compete with religious groups on policy regarding abortion.
• Regardless of which theory is most accurate in describing America’s democracy, there are challenges facing American democracy:– Increased complexity of issues (i.e. Eurozone fiscal issues,
cyber terrorism, etc.)
– Limited participation in government (Americans are not fully engaged in the political process)
– Escalating campaign costs (not everyone can run for office)– Policy gridlock (political parties and interest groups prevent
opposing groups from creating policies)
• Some have argued that these challenges are simply new parts of our political culture – the overall set of values widely shared within our society.
• Characteristics of American political culture:– Liberty (freedom from tyranny)
– Egalitarianism (equality in opportunity and under the law)
– Individualism (people want to be left alone from government entanglement)
– Laissez‐faire (limited government involvement into the economy)
– Populism (standing up for the masses, ordinary people – in a sense populists see elitism has a truism)