American Government and Civic Engagement

Introduction

• Key Concept: US relies on citizen participation for governance.
• Historical Context: Citizens' fight for voting rights across various groups including British colonists, poor white men, women, African Americans, Native Americans.
• Importance of Voting: Ensures government serves people, not the reverse.
• Questions Addressed: What the government does, different forms of government, types of citizen engagement.

1.1 What is Government?

Learning Objectives

• Explain government functions.
• Identify US Government type; compare with other governments.

Government's Impact on Life

• Affects everyday aspects: food, education, taxes, leisure.

Defining Government

• Definition: Organization and allocation of authority for collective goals and benefits (e.g., economic prosperity, security, well-being).
• Benefits Provided: Education, healthcare, transportation infrastructure.

Politics and Economics

• Politics: Gaining/exercising control to set and achieve goals.
• Economic Systems: Often linked with political systems (e.g., capitalism with democratic republics).

Key Philosophers

• John Locke: Natural rights to life, liberty, property.
• Adam Smith: Industrial capitalism, free market ideology, competition-driven quality and low prices.

Types of Goods

• Private Goods: Provided by businesses (food, clothing).
• Public Goods: Provided by government (national security, education).
• Toll Goods: Middle ground (private education).

Government Provisions

• Stability, security (military, police, fire departments), public utilities, common good protection (e.g., fish in the sea).
• Structure for goods/services availability (laws, taxes, budgets).

Different Forms of Government

• Democracy: Political power in hands of people.
  • Representative Democracy: Citizens elect representatives (e.g., US government).
  • Minority Rights: Protection despite majority rule (e.g., protection of atheists).
• Direct Democracy: Citizens participate directly (e.g., Athenian assembly, New England town meetings).
• Monarchy: Single hereditary ruler, sometimes absolute power (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
• Oligarchy: Rule by elite members (e.g., China).
• Totalitarianism: Government controls all aspects of life (e.g., North Korea).

1.2 Who Governs: Elitism, Pluralism, and Trade-offs

Learning Objectives

• Understand pluralism-elitism debate.
• Explain the trade-offs perspective.

Elitism vs. Pluralism

• Elite Theory: Power held by a small, elite group (e.g., C. Wright Mills).
• Pluralist Theory: Power distributed among competing interest groups (e.g., Robert Dahl).

Trade-offs Perspective

• Compromises involved in policy-making (e.g., fracking regulations, gun control policies).

1.3 Engagement in a Democracy

Learning Objectives

• Explain importance of citizen engagement.
• Describe ways Americans can influence government.
• Discuss factors influencing political engagement.

Importance of Participation

• History of Civic Action: Abolition, suffrage movements, civil rights.
• Means of Engagement: Voting, protests, rallies, community service.

Challenges to Engagement

• Barriers: Partisanship, lack of relevant issues for youth, ideologies.
• Youth Engagement: Different tendencies towards single issues, technological impact.

Factors Affecting Participation

• Socioeconomic Status: Wealth and education level influence political action.
• Preferences: Intense preferences drive greater participation (e.g., environmental activism).

Case Study: Richie Torres

• Elected at young age to NYC Council, focusing on housing issues.

Encouragement to Engage

• Ways to Engage: News, writing representatives, polls, rallies, volunteering, group discussions.
• Community Action: Volunteer activities, activist movements (e.g., Black Lives Matter).
• Organizations to Join: Common Cause, Friends of the Earth, Grassroots International.