Citizens and Government

Popular Demands on Government

Americans historically have been skeptical of government power, particularly giving power to politicians.

However, in times of crisis, Americans have asked the government to take on more responsibilities:

• The Great Depression
• The 9/11 Attacks
• The 2008–09 Economic Crisis

Yet Greater Distrust of Government

Despite asking politicians to “do something” to solve society's problems, Americans are increasingly distrustful of government power.

The public's trust in government has declined sharply over the past 50 years.

In addition, peoples' sense of political efficacy—the belief that they can affect what the government does—has declined over the last 50 years.

Many scholars think these trends are dangerous to American democracy.

Political Knowledge and Citizenship

Being an engaged citizen requires knowledge about the workings of the political system.

The Internet has created new opportunities for citizens to engage in political activity and influence government—but people have to take advantage of these opportunities.

More knowledgeable citizens have more political efficacy and greater trust in government.

What is Government?

A government is the set of institutions and processes that decide and implement decisions on behalf of a particular polity (a given territory or people).

Within the United States, there are many levels of government that exercise authority over communities (such as cities and counties), states, and territories, as well as our national government.

Forms of Government

Many governments today, and most throughout history, are based on an authoritarian system, where the ruler or ruling class has few constraints on their power but allow ordinary individuals some degree of personal freedom.

In the 20th century, technology made totalitarian rule possible; Nazi Germany and North Korea are good examples, where government seeks to control all aspects of citizens' lives.

On the other hand, in democracies, the people have a significant role in politics and government.

This role is often guaranteed through constitutional government, a system that places limitations on the powers of government and politicians.

The State of Nature

Enlightenment-era philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau had competing beliefs about society before (or without) government:

• Hobbes famously believed life for most people would be “nasty, brutish, and short” until humans banded together to create governments to protect them from others.
• Locke and Rousseau believed human nature was more peaceful and benevolent than Hobbes did, and that people did not give up their rights when they formed governments.

The Social Contract

Regardless of why humans chose to form governments, all of the social contract theorists believed that people within a society have agreed to accept certain duties and responsibilities in exchange for their government doing the same.

In our society, the primary obligation of the people is to obey the law. In return, our government protects our fundamental rights and liberties and provides public goods.

What is Politics?

There is no single definition of politics, but two have proven to be enduring:

• 20th century political scientist Harold Lasswell: Politics is about “who gets what, when, and how.”
• Another political scientist, David Easton: “the authoritative allocation of values for a society.”

What is Political Science?

Modern political scientists apply the methods of the social sciences to the systematic study of the theory and practice of politics.

• Political science's roots are interdisciplinary, encompassing philosophy, history, law, and economics.
• Other contemporary social sciences include economics, geography, psychology, and sociology.

Direct vs. Representative Democracy

• At the time of the American revolution, many leaders were deeply skeptical of unchecked democracy, which they believed would lead to “King Numbers” and tyranny of the majority.

• Even today, America relies mostly on representative democracy: citizens choose leaders to govern on their behalf between elections.

• Direct democracy, including the referendum and initiative, tends to be used more frequently at the state and local level, but not at the national level.

The American Identity

What does it mean to be an American? The answer to this question has changed over time as our nation's population has grown and become more diverse in its origins.

Throughout American history, immigration and the demographic changes that come with it have led to political debate:

• The slave trade before 1808.
• Catholic European immigration in the mid/late 1800s.
• Asian immigration in the late 1800s.
• Immigration from the developing world since World War II.

Founding Ideas

More so than race or ethnicity or religion, American identity is based on fundamental ideas or values:

• Liberty
• Equality
• Democracy

Liberty: Freedom!

The American ideal of liberty rests on freedom from government control of our personal and economic lives.

The idea of limited government reflects a concern for liberty.

How absolute should our personal liberty be? Today it is expansive but certainly not unlimited.

Similarly, most Americans today reject unbridled, laissez-faire capitalism and favor some regulation of the economy, but still prefer capitalism and the private sector more than people in most other countries.

Equality: Fair Treatment under the Law

Equality to Americans has multiple components:

• Equality of opportunity: the right to succeed or fail on one's own merits.

• Political equality: all people have an equal standing to participate in politics and government.

• However, government efforts to ensure greater equality of outcomes (social and economic equality) are much more politically controversial.

Democracy: Popular Sovereignty

Americans also believe that they should choose our rulers and have influence over their decisions.

Ultimately, our system is based on the idea that all government power comes from the citizenry itself, known as popular sovereignty.

Most Americans believe strongly in majority rule; however, this is balanced by our system against minority rights.