Theory Of Modern Government Flashcards
Formal institutions of government on national level
Executive branch beaded by president
Legislative branch (Congress)
Judicial branch- Supreme Court and lower courts
Working definition of government
Institutions that create public policy
Modern government characteristics
Absences that implement public policy– bureaucracies (regulatory agencies, independent executive agencies, government corporations, and the cabinet)
Harold Laswell definition of politics
“Who gets what, when, and how”
Government + politics=
public policy
Preamble to the Constitution
- Establishment of a more perfect Union
- Establishment of Justice
- Insurance of domestic tranquility
- Promotion of the general welfare
- Security of individual liberty
Politics
Means by which individuals and groups get involved in government, resulting in formal election of officials
Role of the electorate is crucial in…
Determining the means with which individuals get involved in politics/government
Influences on the success or failure of a candidate
How voters perceive the candidate’s position on issues
The way people feel about the party
Comfort level of the voter in relation to the candidate and the party
Media
The US political system evolved from….
Various interest groups vying to implement a policy agenda
Federalist and Anti-Federalist views of the Constitution
Federalists (James Madison) supported ratification
Anti-Federalists opposed ratification
Once the Constitution was ratified, _____ evolved
Two parties: Federalist and Democrat
The Federalist Party
Headed by Alexander Hamilton Upper class strong national government Set up policy to solve economic problems Loose construction Liberal interpretation Appealed to business and trade
The early Democrat party
Led by Thomas Jefferson "Common man" Limited role of central government Strict construction Conservative interpretation of the government Farmers, merchants, middle class
Tea Party
Est. In 2010
Name derived from Boston Tea Party patriots
Est. By Republicans who served in House of Representatives
Less government
Lower taxes
Less government spending
“Taking the government back”
Public policy is affect by…
Linkage institutions in political parties
Elections
Interest groups
Media
Linkage institutions
Means by which individuals can express preferences regarding the development of public policy
Ex. political parties, special interest groups, and media
How political preferences travel to public policy
- Preferences are voices through the political system
2. When specific political issues are resolved, they become the basis for policy
Interaction of linkage institutions results in…
The formation of a policy agenda by the candidates running for elected office
What can be considered the fourth branch of government?
Development and growth of bureaucracies
Because it have independent regulatory power and is connected directly and indirectly to the federal government itself
_______ has a direct impact on public policy through its interpretation of the Constitution
The Supreme Court
A Court that shows judicial restraint will…
Maintain the status quo or mirror what the other branches of government have establishes as current policy
Characteristics of the Rehnquist court in the 1980s and 1990s
Conservative
Judicial restraint
Est. Legitimacy of state restrictions on abortions
Narrower interpretation of Miranda Rights
The size of government has increased since _____
WWII
As a results of bureaucracy becoming an integral part of government
Size of government workforce has ______, while the influence of the bureaucratic agencies on public policy has _____
Decreased
Increased dramatically
The development of our representative government evolved from…
Other forms of democracies
Greek inspiration in government
Givt rule should be that of the many rather than the few
Enlightenment inspiration influence on government
Democracy should rely on the consent of the people
Natural rights (life, Liberty, and property) cannot be taken away
Individual is central focus of government policy
Basic concepts of out democracy today rely on…
Worth and dignity of the individual Respect for equality Majority rule with minority rights Compromise Guarantee of individual freedom
How are senators elected?
Through direct elections
Electoral college
Determines the office outcome of presidential elections based on the vote of electors rather than direct vote of citizens
Inability for government officials to compromise often lead to…
Gridlock ing
In order for democracy to succeed, elections have to be…
Open to all citizens
How government must act
- Be responsive
- Respect minority rights while operating under majority rule
- Respect individual freedom (guaranteed with Bill of Rights)
- Work on basis of consensus and compromise
Modern political theory revolves around…
Who controls the agenda
Three schools of thought regarding how the agenda is controlled
- Pluralism: involves different groups vying for for control of the policy agenda, forcing compromise
- Elite and class theory: elite controls the linkage institutions of government
- Models: Majoritarian model, delegate model of representation, trustee model of representation, etc.
Modern government changes as a result of…
Who can best serve the public interest
