Archbishop John Carroll High School
211 Matson ford Rd.
Radnor, PA 19087
Advanced Placement US Government and Politics Syllabus
The course is designed to give students a critical perspective on politics and government in the United States. The course involves the study of general concepts and analysis of specific case studies, such as Supreme Court cases or elections. At the end of the course the student is expected to demonstrate a fairly detailed understanding of American political institutions. Topics include the Constitution (development and application), political beliefs and practices, political parties and interest groups, institutions and policy practice, civil rights and civil liberties.
Text: George C. Edwards, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L Lineberry. Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy 11th ed. New York: Pearson Longman 2004
Other Course Materials
Material Type: Newspaper
Description: Numerous current news articles, article reports, and commentary from major newspapers, and the Internet are assigned and utilized every week. Newspapers include
The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Links to the assigned articles are placed on the teacher’s website under “current assignments.”
Student analysis and interpretation of charts, graphs, maps, political cartoons, etc. from text, newspapers and other primary sources when appropriate.
Portfolio: All students maintain a portfolio consisting of article reviews, study guides, and essays for each chapter. The portfolio is graded at the end of each marking period.
Material Type: Primary Source
Description: Primary Source documents are assigned from the Internet from sites such as “Basic Documents of American History”, “The National Archive:, “The Federalist Papers,” Links to these are placed on the teacher’s website – “current assignments.”
Websites:
URL: http://jdmurray.net/ap_gov_resources.htm
Description: Resources available listed by chapter and topic. Updated frequently to add new resources and to remove outdated resources.
Introduction: Introducing Government in America
Objectives:
1. Describe what government is and what governments do.
2. Understand how politics is the struggle over “who gets what, when, and how.”
3. Identify the important features of the policymaking system and explain how public policies are the choices that government makes – and declines to make – in response to political issues.
4. Understand the nature of democratic government and traditional democratic theory, and the key questions concerning democracy.
5. Distinguish between the three contemporary theories of American democracy and politics (pluralist, elite and class, and hyperpluralist) and identify some of their strengths and weaknesses.
6. Understand the nature of the scope of government in America and the key questions concerning the scope of government.
Chapter Outline:
I. Introduction (pp 2-8)
II. Government (pp 8-10)
A. The Institutions that make authoritative decisions that apply to all of society are collectively known as government.
B. Two Fundamental Questions
1. How should we govern?
2. What should government do?
C. All governments have certain functions in common.
III. Politics (pp. 10-11)
IV. The Policymaking system (pp 11-14)
A. People Shape policy
1. The policymaking system
2. Key linkage institutions.
3. Policy Agenda
4. Political issues
B. Policies Impact People..
V. Democracy (pp. 14-20)
A. Defining Democracy
B. Three Contemporary Theories of Democracy
C. Challenges to Democracy
VI. The Scope of Government in America (pp 20-24)
Text: Edwards, Chapter 1 pages 1-25
Current News Articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. Define government and identify the functions that governments perform. What is the role of politics in government?
2. What are the principal choices that governments face when confronting policy problems? Illustrate your answer with an example of a policy that poses tough choices. Explain how government makes policy even when it chooses to do nothing.
3. What are the principle components of the policymaking system? Explain how a political issue travels through the policymaking system by using an example.
4. What is the definition of democracy? What are the basic principles of traditional democratic theory? What problems might emerge when the theory is put into practice?
5. Compare, contrast and critically evaluate the three theories of American democracy: pluralist theory, elite and class theory, and hperpluarlism.
6. Summarize some of the major challenges facing American democracy today. Briefly state you opinion as to how serious these challenges are and how they might be met.
7. In what ways might it be said that American government is “big”? How does the scope of the American government compare to other Western democracies?
Unit I –Constitutional Underpinnings of United States Government
THE CONSTITUTION
Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of the English Philosophical heritage, the Colonial experience, the Articles of Confederation, and the character of the Founding Fathers in shaping the agenda of the Constitution.
2. Identify the important principles and issues debated at the Constitutional Convention and describe how they were resolved.
3. Explain the Madisonian Model of limiting majority control, separating powers, creating checks and balances, and establishing a federal system.
4. Understand the conflict between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists over the ratification of the Constitution.
5. Describe the formal and informal processes by which the Constitution is changed in response to new items on the policy agenda.
6. Evaluate the Constitution in terms of democracy and its impact on policymaking.
I. The Origins of the Constitution (pp28-33)
A The Road to Revolution
B. Declaration of Independence
C. The English Heritage
1. Natural Rights
2. Consent of the Governed
3. Limited Government.
II. The Government that Failed 1776-1783 (pp33-36)
A. The Articles of Confederation
B. Changes in the States
C. Economic Turmoil
` D. Shay’s Rebellion
E. The Aborted Annapolis Meeting
III Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention (pp. 36-39)
A. The Gentlemen in Philadelphia
B. Philosophy in Action
1. Human Nature
2. Political Conflict
IV. The Agenda in Philadelphia (pp39-44)
A. The Equality Issues
1. Equality and Representation of the States
a. New Jersey Plan
b. Virginia Plan
c. Connecticut Compromise
2. Slavery
3. Political Equality
B. The Economic Issues
C. The Individual Rights Issues
V. The Madisonian Model (pp 44-47)
A. Thwarting Tyranny of the Majority
B. The Constitutional Republic
VI. Ratifying the Constitution (pp48-51)
A. Federalists and Anti-Federalists
1. Federalist Papers
2. The Bill of Rights
B. Ratification
VI. Constitutional Change (pp. 51-59)
A. The Formal Amending Process
B. The Informal Process of Constitutional Change
1. Judicial Interpretation – Marbury v Madison (1803)
2. Changing Political Practice
3. Technology
4. Increasing Demands on Policymakers.
C. The Importance of Flexibility
VII. Understanding the Constitution (pp59-61)
A. The Constitution and Democracy
B. The Constitution and the Scope of Government
Assigned Text: Edwards. Chapter 2
Assign Essay on the Founding Fathers;
The [Founding Fathers … were impelled by class motives.. but they were also controlled … by a statesmanlike sense of moderation and a scrupulously republic philosophy…
Asses the merits of this statement with reference to all of the following: the politics of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the specific provisions of the Constitut8ion, and the general structure of the government established by the Constitution.
Readings on Line:
1. John Locke The Second Treatise of Civil Government
2. The Articles of Confederation
3. Marbury v Madison(1803)
4. James Madison Federalist Paper # 10
5. Current news articles from New York Times, Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, and the Philadelphia Inquirer
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. What are the historical origins of the American national government? What is the English heritage? How was the Declaration of Independence shaped by the philosophy of John Locke?
2. What philosophical views did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention share?
3. How did the colonial experience shape the policy agenda at the Constitutional Convention? What issues comprised the agenda and how were they resolved?
4. What is the Madisonian Model of government? How is it related to the structure of American government? What issues or problems does it raise?
5. Explain the process by which the Constitution was ratified. What were the major arguments raised against its ratification? How were some of these issues resolved.
6. What are the formal and informal processes by which the Constitution is changed? Include a discussion of the formal amendment process and unwritten constitution in your answer.
7. In what ways was the original Constitution both democratic and undemocratic? How has the Constitution become democratized throughout American history?
FEDERALISM
Objectives:
1. Define federalism and explain why it is important to American government and politics.
2. Describe how the Constitution divides power between the national and state governments and understand why the supremacy of the national government is the central principle of American federalism.
3. Explain the nature of the state’s obligations to each other.
4. Explain how federalism in the United States has shifted from dual federalism to cooperative federalism.
5. Describe the nature of fiscal federalism and how states and cities compete for federal grants and aid.
6. Explain the relationship between federalism and democracy, and how federalism contributes to and detracts from democracy.
7. Understand how federalism has contributed to the scope of the national government.
I. Defining Federalism (pp. 66-69)
A. What is Federalism?
B. Why is Federalism so Important?
II. The Constitutional Basis of Federalism (pp. 69-76)
A. The Division of Power
1. The Supremacy Clause
2. The Tenth Amendment
B. Establishing National Supremacy
1. Implied Powers – McCulloch v Maryland
2. Commerce Powers – Gibbons v. Ogden
3. The Civil War
4. The Struggle for Racial Equality
C. States’ Obligations to Each Other
1. Full Faith and Credit
2. Extradition
3. Privileges and Immunities
III. Intergovernmental Relations Today (pp 76-85)
A. From Dual to Cooperative Federalism
B. Fiscal Federalism
IV. Understanding Federalism
A. Federalism and Democracy
B. Federalism and the Scope of the National Government
Assigned text: Edwards Chapter 3
Assign essay on Federalism: Choose one of the following
1. Analyze the effects of federalism on contemporary policy-making in TWO of the following areas: Civil Rights Policy, Social Welfare Policy, and Environmental policy.
In your answer, include a brief definition of federalism and use specific examples of its impact on policymaking in the TWO areas you select.
Your essay should focus on the analysis of the contemporary political effects of federalism and should not be an historical examination of the development of federalism.
(a) Define federalism
(b) Select two of the following and explain how each has been used to increase the power of the federal government relative to the states.
· Categorical grants
· Federal mandates
· Selective Incorporation
(c) Select two of the following and explain how each has been used to increase the power of the states relative to the federal government.
· Welfare Reform Act of 1996
· Block Gramts
· Tenth Amendment
Readings Online:
: 1. Mc Culloch v. Maryland (1819)
2. Gibbons v Ogden (1824)
3. Current news articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. Define federalism. How is federalism different from unitary governments and confederations? Why is federalism import to understanding American government?
2. What does the Constitution have to say about national versus state power? How was the supremacy of the national government established in the American federal system?
3. Explain the obligations that states have to each other. Give examples to illustrate your answer.
4. Why does cooperative federalism, as compared to dual federalism, best describe the American federal system today? Why is fiscal federalism important to intergovernmental relations?
5. Compare and contrast the different types of federal aid and grants given to states and cities. What is the nature of the competition for federal grants? Under what conditions might states not want to receive federal aid?
6. What are the advantages and disadvantages of federalism for democracy? Give examples to illustrate your answer.
7. How and why has federalism contributed to the growth of the national government?
8. Evaluate federalism as a way of organizing government in America. Could the American system have been a unitary system?
Objective Test: Chapters 1-3
Unit II – CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
CIVIL LIBERTIES AND PUBLIC POLICY
Objectives:
1. Understand the constitutional basis of civil liberties and the Supreme Courts’ role in defining them.
2. Describe the religious liberties guaranteed in the First Amendment.
3. Explain the nature of and the issues involving freedom of expression in America.
4. Identify the rights of individuals accused of crimes.
5. Evaluate and discuss the issue of the right to privacy.
6. Understand the impact of civil liberties on democracy and the scope of government.
I. Introduction (pp. 94-96)
A. Definition of Civil Liberties
B. Bill of Rights
II. The Bill of Rights – Then and Now (pp. 96-98)
A. First Amendment
B. The Bill of Rights and the States
1. Barron v. Baltimore
2. Gitlow v. New York
3. The Incorporation Doctrine
III. Freedom of Religion (pp. 98-103)
A. The Establishment Clause (Lemon v Kurtzman, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris, Engel v. Vitale, & School District of Abington Twp. Pennsylvania v. Schempp)
B. The Free Exercise Clause
IV Freedom of Expression (pp. 103-118)
A. Prior Restraint (Near v. Minnesota)
B. Free Speech and Public Order (Schenck v. United States)
C. Free Press and Fair Trials (Zurcher v. Stanford)
D. Obscenity (Roth v. United States & Miller v. California)
E. Libel and Slander (New York Times v. Sullivan)
F. Symbolic Speech (Texas v. Johnson)
G. Commercial Speech
H. Regulation of Public Airwaves (Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo, and Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. Federal Communication Commission)
I. Freedom of Assembly (NAACP v. Alabama)
V. Defendants’ Rights (pp. 118-126)
A. Interpreting Defendants’ Rights
B. Searches and Seizures
1. Probable Cause
2. Unreasonable searches and seizures.
3. Search Warrant
4. Exclusionary rule (Mapp v. Ohio)
C. Self-incrimination, Fifth Amendment (Miranda v. Arizona)
D. Right to Counsel, Sixth Amendment (Gideon v. Wainwritght)
E. Trial by Jury and plea bargaining
F. Cruel and Unusual Punishment, Eighth Amendment (Gregg v. Georgia, and McClesky v. Kemp)
VI The Right to Privacy (pp. 129-131)
A. Is there a Right to Privacy?
B. Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey
Assigned Text, Edwards, Chapter 4
Readings Online:
Football, Subways & the Fourth Amendment
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
New York Times v United States (1971)
Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
Current news articles
Video: Gideon’s Trumpet
Assign Essay: The First Amendment includes two clauses relating to the freedom of religion.
(a) Select one of the following cases and identify the First Amendment clause upon which the United States Supreme Court based its decision.
· Engle v. Vitale (school prayer)
· Lemon v. Kurtzman (state funding fro private religious schools.
(b) Describe the Supreme Court’s decision in the case that you selected in (a)
(c) Select one of the following cases and identify the First Amendment clause upon which the Supreme Court based its decision
· Reynolds v United States (polygamy)
· Oregon v. Smith (drug use in religious ceremonies)
(d) Describe the Supreme Court’s decision in the case that you selected in (c)
(e) Many of these decisions have caused controversy in the United States. Describe be two ways in which other political institutions might limit the impact of Supreme Court decisions.
Essays for the portfolio:
1. What is the relationship between the national government and the states in the protection of civil liberties? How was the issue of protecting civil liberties at the state level resolved.
2. What would a literal interpretation of the First Amendment mean for the protection of civil liberties?
3. Compare the First Amendment freedoms in terms of the restrictions placed on their application. Support your position with examples of actual or hypothetical cases.
4. What role has religion played in American politics? How has religious freedom been interpreted in the United States?
5. Identify the various types of speech. Categorize the different types of speech according to the extent wo which they are protected by the Constitution. Give examples of court cases that have helped to establish these protections.
6. What are the constitutional protections of persons accused of crimes and where are they found? How has the Supreme Court interpreted and shaped these protections?
7. What is meant by the “right to privacy”? Explain the controversies that have arisen over the right to privacy.
8. How do civil liberties affect the nature of democracy and the scope of government in the United States?
CIVIL RIGHTS AND PUBLIC POLICY
Objectives:
1. Understand the historical and constitutional basis of the struggle for equal rights.
2. Discuss the struggle for equality for African Americans in terms of three historical eras, the Constitution, and public policy.
3. Explain how women have gained civil rights and what equality issues remain important for women today.
4. Describe the new groups in the civil rights movement.
5. Explain the controversy over the issue of affirmative action.
6. Understand the impact of civil rights on democracy and the scope of government.
I. Introduction (pp. 134-136)
Definition of Civil Rights
II. Racial Equality: Two Centuries of Struggle (pp. 136-139)
A. Conceptions of Equality
1. Equality of opportunity
2. Equal results or rewards
III Race, the Constitution, and Public Policy (pp. 139-149)
A. The Era of Slavery
1. Scott v. Sanford
2. Thirteenth Amendment
B. The Era of Reconstruction and Resegregation
1. Jim Crow laws
2. Plessy v. Ferguson
C. The Era of Civil Rights
1. Brown v. Board of Education
2. Civil Rights Movement
3. Civil Rights Act of 1964
D. Getting and Using the Right to Vote
1. Suffrage and the Fifteenth Amendment
2. Southern practices to deny African American Suffrage (literacy tests, grandfather clause, poll taxes, and the White primary)
3. Twenty-fourth Amendment
4. Voting Rights Act of 1965
E. Other Minority Groups
1. Native Americans
2. Hispanic Americans
3. Asian Americans (Korematsu v. United States)
IV Women, the Constitution, and Public Policy (pp. 149-156)
A. Nineteenth Amendment
B. The Doldrums (1920-1960)
C. He Second Feminist Wave (Reed v. Reed, Craig v. Boren)
D. Women in the Workplace. Congressional acts and Supreme Court decisions.
E. Wage Discrimination and Comparable Worth
F. Women in the Military
G. Sexual harassment
V. Newly Active Groups Under the Civil Rights Umbrella (pp. 157-160)
A. Civil rights and the graying of America
B. Are the Young a Disadvantaged Group Too?
C. Civil Rights and People with Disabilities. (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)
D. Gay and Lesbian rights
VI. Affirmative Action (pp. 160-166)
A. Definition of Affirmative Action
B. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
C. Adarand Constructors. V. Pena
D. Opponents view affirmative action as reverse discrimination
Assigned: Edwards, Chapter 5
Assign Essay on Civil Rights and Public Policy: Choose one of the following
1. To what extent has the federal government been successful in its attempts since 1950 to combat discrimination against African-American people in the United States? In your answer discuss both of the following: (A) Specific legislation and judicial actions aimed at combating racial discrimination, and (B) Social and political factors that have hindered the government’s attempt to focus changes
2. Discuss the changes in the participation of women in United States politics since 1970. Using specific examples, analyze the impact of women’s participation on both of the following: Electoral politics and Economic and Social policy.
Readings online:
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Regents of University of California v. Bakke (1978)
Grutter v. Bollnger (2003)
Gratz et a l v. Bollinger (2003)
Current News Articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. How would you define the term “equality”? What dies the United .States Constitution says about equality?
2. What have been the different eras in the struggle for racial equality? What public policy achievements were made in each era?
3. Explain how the right to vote has been extended in the United States to include both African Americans and women. How was the struggle for suffrage among these two groups similar an different?
4. Explain the nature of the feminist movement in the United States. What policies have resulted from the struggle for equal rights for women? Explain the controversy over the issue of comparable worth.
5. Who are the new groups under the civil right5s umbrella and what issues are they concerned about? What equality issues might arise in the near future?
6. What is meant by affirmative action? What are the pros and cons of affirmative action? How has the Supreme Court dealt with the issue of affirmative action?
7. How do civil rights affect the nature of democracy and the scope of government in the United States?
Unit III – PEOPLE AND POLITICS
PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL ACTION
Objectives:
1. Describe how demographic factors shape who we are politically.
2. Identify the processes through which people learn about politics.
3. Define public opinion, identify how it is measured, explain its role in shaping public policy, and discuss the nature of political information in America.
4. Understand the concept of political ideology in American politics and government.
5. Explain the ways in which people participate in politics and in the policymaking process, and discuss the implications6. of unequal political participation.
6. Understand the relationship between the scope of government, democracy, public opinion, and political action.
I. The American People (pp. 174-179)
A. Public opinion
B. Demography
C. The Immigrant Society
D. The American Melting Pot
E. The Regional Shift and impact on reapportionment
F. The Graying of America
II. How Americans Learn About Politics (pp. 179-181)
A. Political Socialization
B. The Process of Political Socialization (Family, Mass Media, & School)
C. Political Learning over a Lifetime.
III. Measuring Public Opinion and Political Information (pp. 183-192)
A. How Polls are Conducted
1. Sample of population is chosen
2. Random Sampling
3. Sampling error
4. Random-digit dialing
B. The Role of Polls in American Democracy
C. What Polls Reveal About American’s Political Information
D. The Decline of Trust in Government
IV. What Americans Value (pp. 192-195)
A. Political Ideology
B. Who are the Liberals and Conservatives>
C. Gender Gap
D. Do People Think in Ideological Terms?
V. How Americans Participate in Politics (pp. 195-201)
A. Political Participation
B. Conventional Participation
C. Protest as Participation (Protest and Civil Disobedience)
D. Class, Inequality and Participation
VI. Understanding Public Opinion and Political Action (pp. 201-202)
Assigned: Edwards, Chapter 6
Assign Essay on Public Opinion:
Discuss the impact of public opinion on policy-making. How is this impact affected by presidential leadership and the mass media? Apply your analysis to the issues of Tax policy and the war on terror.
Current news articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. What is demography, and why is it important to understanding political changes? What demographic changes have occurred in the United States and what are their political and public policy consequences?
2. What is political socialization? What is the difference between formal and informal learning? Which do you think is mort important and why? Give examples to support your answer.
3. Explain how public opinion is measured. What scientific techniques are used to measure public opinion? What are the arguments against public opinion polling?
4. Contrast the views of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton on the political sophistication of the American electorate. Be sure to include a discussion of political information and ideology in your answer. Based on the available evidence, defend one view over the other.
5. To what extent is ideology important in the United States? Explain the main differences between liberals and conservatives. What are the public’s attitudes on the scope of government?
6. What are some of the ways in which people participate in politics? Compare conventional and unconventional participation. How do they affect policy in different ways?
7. Why is participation in America unequal? What are the political and policy implications of unequal participation?
THE MASS MEDIA AND THE POLITICAL AGENDA
Objectives:
1. Describe the characteristics of the mass media today.
2. Explain the development of the print and broadcast media from a historical perspective.
3. Understand how news is found and reported by the media..
4. Describe how the news media affect public opinion.
5. Discuss what is meant by the concepts of policy agenda and policy entrepreneur and the media’s importance to them.
6. Understand how the media affect the scope of government and the democratic process.
I. Introduction (pp. 206-210)
A. Define High-tech politics.
B. Define mass media.
II. The Mass Media Today (pp. 208-210)
A. Media Event
B. Image Making
III. The Development of Media Politics (pp. 210-220)
A. Introduction
1. FDR and press conferences
2. Impact of the Vietnam War and Watergate
3. Investigative journalism
B. The Print Media
C. The Broadcast Media
D. Government Regulation of the Broadcast Media
E. Narrowcasting (Cable TV and Internet)
F. Private Control of the Media
IV. Reporting the News (pp. 220-228)
A. Finding News (beats and trial balloons)
B. Impact of technology
C. Bias in the News.
V. The News and Public Opinion (pp. 228-230)
VI. The Media’s Agenda-Setting Function (p. 230)
A. Policy Agenda
B. Policy entrepreneurs.
VII. Understanding the Mass Media (pp. 230-233)
Assigned: Edwards, Chapter 7
Current News Articles
Objective Test: Chapters 4—7
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. Using examples from presidential politics, explain why image and the use of the media are so important in the American political system.
2. Explain the historical development of the print and broadcast media in the United States. Use examples to illustrate your answer.
3. How does television define what is newsworthy? Explain where television finds its news stories and how they are presented to the American public.
4. Describe how the media shape public opinion. What are the consequences of the media’s influence on public opinion?
5. What is the policy agenda? Who are the policy entrepreneurs and how do they utilize the media to get their issues on the policy agenda?
6. Explain how the news media affect the scope of government and American individualism. How have they helped and hindered the growth of democracy in the United States?
POLITICAL PARTIES
Objectives:
1. Discuss the meaning and functions of a political party.
2. Discuss the nature of the party-in-the-electorate, party organizations, and the party-in-government.
3. Describe the party eras in American history and how parties realign and dealign..
4. Evaluate the two-party system, its consequences, and the place of third parties in the system.
5. Identify the challenges facing the American political parties and explain their relationship to American democracy, individualism, and the scope of government.
I. The Meaning of Party. (pp. 238-241)
A. Introduction.
1. Party competition.
2. Definition of Political Party
3. “Three-headed political giant”
B. Tasks of the Parties (linkage institutions)
1. Pick candidates.
2. Run Campaigns
3. Give cues to voters (party image)
4. Articulate policies
5. Coordinate policymaking
C. Parties, Voters, and Policy (The Downs Model)
II. The Party in the Electorate (pp. 241-242)
A. Party Identification.
B. Ticket-splitting
III. The Party Organization: From Grassroots to Washington (pp. 242-246)
A. Local Parties (party machines & patronage.
B. The 50 State Party System
C. The National Party Organization
1. National Convention.
2. National Committee
3. National Chairperson
IV. The Party in Government: Promises and Policy (pp. 246-247)
V. Party Eras in American History (pp. 247-256)
A. Introduction.
1. Party eras
2. Critical election.
3. Party Realignment
B. 1796-1824: The First Party System
C. 1828-1856: Jackson and the Democrats versus the Whigs
D. 1860-1928: The Two Republican Eras
E. 1932-1964: The New Deal Coalition
F. 1968-Present: The Era of Divided Government
VI Third Parties: Their Impact on American Politics (pp. 256-258)
VII Understanding Political Parties (pp. 258-262)
Assigned: Edwards Chapter 8
Assign essay on Political Parties: Choose one of the following
1. After the 1984 and 1992 elections, Republican leaders claimed that a major realignment had taken place and that the Republicans had become the majority party. Briefly define party realignment, and evaluate the contention that a moajor realignment took place during the 1980s and 1990s by examining presidential, congressional, and state level politics.
2. Evaluate the claim that there is “not a dime’s worth of difference” between the contemporary Republican and Democratic arties. In your answer discuss the relationship beteeen the domestic policy preferences of party members in Congress and the social bases of party support in the electorate.
Current News Articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. What is the meaning of a political party? What functions do parties in America perform? How well do you think they perform them, especially in comparison to other linkage institutions?
2. What is the Downsian model of party government? What are its limitations as a normative model for the American party system?
3. How has party identification changed aver the years and what affect has it had on election?
4. Describe the organization of American political parties. How do party politics at the local, state, and national levels differ? Which level is most important and why?
5. How did the American two party system evolve? How were coalitions important to this evolution? Include in you answer a discussion of party eras and critical election.
6. What are the political and policy consequences of having a two-party system? How have third parties made a difference?
7. What is the responsible party model and what are its consequences for democracy?
8. In what ways have the American political parties declined? What are the principal rivals of the political parties? Speculate on the future of political parties in America.
NOMINATIONS AND CAMPAIGNS
Objectives:
1. Explain the nomination process and the role of the national party conventions.
2. Discuss the role of campaign organizations and the importance of the media in campaigns.
3. Understand the role of money in campaigns, campaign finance reform, and the impact of political action committees.
4. Explain the impact of campaigns on the voters.
5. Understand how campaigns affect democracy, public policy and the scope of government.
I. The Nomination Game (268-278)
A. Introduction
1. Define nomination.
` 2. Campaign Strategy
B. Deciding to Run
C. Competing for Delegates to National Party Convention
1. Caucus
2. Primary system
3. Evaluation of the Primary and Caucus System
D. The Convention Send-off and party platform
II. The Campaign Game (PP. 278-281)
A. The High Tech Media Campaign
B. Organizing the Campaign
III. Money and Campaigning (pp. 281-289)
A. The Maze of Campaign Finance Reforms
1. Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)
2. The McCain-Feingold Act (2002)
B. The proliferation of political action committees
C. Are campaigns too expensive?
IV. The Impact of Campaigns (pp. 289-290)
III. Understanding Nominations and Campaigns (pp. 291-292)
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 9
Current News Articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. How is a candidate nominated for the presidency? What functions do national party conventions perform? What criticisms have been raised about the nomination process? Is it a representative process?
2. What are the elements of a successful political campaign? What impacts do campaigns have on voters? What factors tend to weaken these impacts?
3. What is role of money in campaigns? What campaign finance reforms have been adopted? What effects have they had?
4. What are the positive and negative features of the Political Action Committees? How might they affect politicians and policymaking?
5. How do campaign images and issues conflict; or do they? What is the role of the media in shaping both?
6. How do campaigns affect democracy, public policy, and the scope of government?
ELECTIONS AND VOTING BEHAVIOR
Objectives:
1. Explain the functions and unique features of American elections.
2. Describe how American elections have evolved using the presidential elections of 1800, 1896, and 2000 as examples.
3. Discuss the factors that affect a citizen’s choice of whether to vote.
4. Explain how Americans vote and what factors influence how they vote.
5. Explain how the Electoral College works and what biases it can introduce.
6. Understand how elections affect democracy, public policy, and the scope of government.
I. How American Elections Work (pp. 298-299)
A. Establish legitimacy
B. Referendums
C. Initiative petitions.
II. A Tale of Three Elections (pp. 299-305)
A. 1800: The First Electoral Transition of Power
B. 1896: A Bitter Fight over Economic Issues.
C. 2000: What a Mess!!
III. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice (pp. 306-310)
A. Deciding Whether to Vote.
B. Registering to Vote
C. Who votes?
IV. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizens’ Decisions (pp. 310-315)
A. Mandate theory of elections.
B. Party Identification
C. Candidate evaluations.
D. Policy voting
V. The Last Battle: The Electoral College (pp. 315-316)
VI Understanding Elections and Voting Behavior (pp. 316-319)
A. Democracy and Election.
B. Elections and the Scope of Government
Assigned: Edwards, et al: Chapter 10
Assign Essay on the Political Process (Choose one of the following)
1. Explain how THREE of the following voter characteristics influenced voting decisions in the presidential elections of the 1980s and 1990s. Party identification, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, Issue preferences.
2. A significant feature of the electoral college is that most states have a winner-take all system
(a) Describe the winter-take-all feature of the Electoral College.
(b) Explain one way in which the winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College affects how presidential candidates from the two major political parties run their campaigns.
(c) Explain one way in which the winner-take-all feature of the Electoral College hinders third-party candidates.
(d) Explain two reasons why the Electoral College has not been abolished.
Current News Articles
Essays for the Portfolio:
3. What are the functions of elections in American democracy? What are some of the electoral features that are unique to the United States?
4. How has the American electoral system evolved? How did the election of 2000 contrast with elections of the past, particularly the elections of 1800 and 1896?
5. What is the electoral paradox of more suffrage and less participation? Why would we expect people to vote more today and why do they not do so? How does the voter registration system affect the decision to vote?
6. What factors determine why people choose to vote? What groups are more likely to vote and what groups are least likely to vote? What are the implications of these differences in electoral participation?
7. Why do people vote they way the do? Which reasons do you believe is most important and why?
8. What is the Electoral College and how does it work? What biases in the electoral process does it introduce? Should the Electoral College system be preserved or abolished?
9. How do elections affect democracy, public policy, and the scope of government?
INTEREST GROUPS
Objectives:
1. Define interest groups and distinguish them from political parties.
2. Compare and contrast the pluralist, elite, and hyperpluralist theories of interest groups.
3. Explain what makes an interest group successful and why small groups have an advantage over large groups.
4. Identify and describe the strategies that groups use to shape public policy.
5. Describe some of the many types of groups in the American political system.
6. Evaluate interest groups in terms of their influence on democracy and the scope of government.
I. The Role of Interest Groups (pp. 324-325)
II. Theories of Interest Group Politics (pp. 325-328)
A. Pluralism and Group Theory
B. Elites and the Denial of Pluralism
C. Hyperpluralism and Interest Group Liberalism
III. What Makes an Interest Group Successful? (pp. 328-332)
A. The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Large Group.
1. Potential Group
2. Actual group
3. Collective good
4. Free-rider problem
5. Olson’s Law of large groups
6. Selective Benefits
B. Intensity
C. Financial Resources
IV The Interest Group Explosion (pp. 332-333)
V. How Groups Try to Shape Policy (pp. 333-338)
A. Lobbying
B. Electioneering
C. Litigation
1. Amicus curiae briefs
2. Class action lawsuits
VI. Types of Interest Groups (pp. 338-346)
A. Economic interests.
B. Environmental interests
C. Equality Interests
D. Consumers and Public Interest Lobbies
VIII. Understanding Interest Groups (pp 346-348)
Assign: Edwards, et al. Chapter 11
Assign essay in Interest Groups:
Compare the strengths and weakness of voting and one nonelectoral form of participation that groups use to achieve policy goals. In your essay, refer to the political activities of TWO of the following groups in the contemporary United States, Women, Senior Citizens, Big Business leaders and Farmers.
Current News Articles
Video: The Power Game: The Unelected
Essays for the Portfolio:
1. What are interest groups? How do groups differ from political parties?
2. Compare and contrast th4e pluralist, elite, and hyperpluralist theories of interests groups. In your opinion, which theory best describes reality and why?
3. What is the difference between a potential group and an actual group? Why is this difference important to understanding the free-rider problem? Be sure to include a discussion of collective goods in your answer.
4. Why are small groups generally more effective than large groups? Explain Olson’s law of large groups.
5. How do intensity and financial resources affect interest group success? What are single-issue groups and how effective have they been in American politics?
6. What are the principal strategies that groups use to affect policymaking? Which strategy seems to be the most effective and why? Are certain strategies better suited for different types of groups?
7. What impact do political action committees have on interest group behavior? Evaluate the role of political action committee.
8. What are the different types of interest groups? What are their primary goals, what strategies do they use, and how successful have they been?
9. How do interest groups affect democracy and the scope of government in the United States?
Semester Objective Test: Chapters 1 - 11
Unit IV: INSTITUTIONS OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
CONGRESS
Objectives:
1. Describe the characteristics of our senators and representative, and the nature of their jobs.
2. Explain what factors have the greatest influence in congressional elections.
3. Explain the structure of power and leadership in the United States Congress and the role of committees.
4. Identify what members of Congress do and discuss the congressional process and the many influences on legislative decision making.
5. Evaluate Congress in terms of American democracy, congressional reforms, and the scope of government.
I. The Representatives and Senators (pp. 354-363)
A. The Job
B. The Members
II. Congressional Elections (pp. 358-363)
A. Who Wins Elections? Incumbents
B. The Advantages of Incumbents
1. Advertising
2. Credit-claiming (Casework & Porkbarrel)
3. Position Taking
4. Weak Opponents
5. Campaign Strategy
C. The Role of Party Identification.
D. Defeating Incumbents
E. Open Seats
F. Stability and Change
III. How Congress is Organized to Make Policy (pp. 363-374)
A. American Bicameralism
1. The House
2. The Senate
B. Congressional Leadership
1. The House
a. Speaker of the House
b. Majority Leader
c. Party Whips
d. Minority Leader
2. The Senate
a. President of the Senate
b. President pr-temporae
c. Majority and Minority Leaders
3. Congressional Leadership in Perspective
C. The Committees and Subcommittees
1. Types of Committee
a. Standing committees
b. Joint committees
c. Conference committees
d. Select Committees
2. Committee at Work: Legislation and Oversight
3. Getting on a Committee
4. Getting Ahead on the Committee: Chairs and the Seniority System
D. Caucuses: The Informal Organization of Congress
E. Congressional Staff
IV. The Congressional Process (pp. 375-383)
A. Introduction
B. Presidents and Congress: Partner and Protagonists
C. Party, Constituency, and Ideology
D. Lobbyists and Interest Groups
V. Understanding Congress (pp. 383-387)
A. Congress and Democracy
B. Reforming Congress
C. Congress and the Scope of Government
Assigned: Edwards, et al Chapter 12
Assign Essay on the Legislative Process: Choose one of the following
1. “The structure of Congress is so complex that it seems remarkable that legislation gets passed at all. Because of the bicameral division of Congress, bills have two sets of committee hurdles to clear. Moreover, recent reforms have decentralized power so that the job of Congress is harder than ever”. Evaluate this observation by analyzing all of the following: the informal and formal organization of Congress, the leadership and committee systems, and the congressional legislative process..
2. Discuss how Congressional committees function in making and implementing public policy in TWO of the following areas: Legislation, Confirmation of Presidential appointees, and Oversight of the bureaucracy.
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. What is the congressperson’s job like? What are the characteristics of members of Congress?
2. What is the effect of incumbency in congressional elections? What other factors are associated with congressional electoral success?
3. What is the role of money in congressional campaigns? Assess the influence of interest groups and Political Action Committees (PACs) on members of Congress.
4. How do the House of Representatives and the Senate differ? How does the structure of leadership differ among the two?
5. Describe the committee system in Congress. What are the different roles of committees in the legislative process?
6. How does a bill become law? What factors influence the legislative process and how does their influence differ?
7. Is Congress representative in its membership and its policy making role? What structures and reforms have affected ita representative function?
Video: The Power Game: The Congress
THE PRESIDENCY
Objectives:
1. Describe the American president – who they are, how they got there, and what they do.
2. List the constitutional power of the president and explain how these powers have expanded
3. Explain how the office of the presidency is organized to make policy.
4. Discuss the relationship between the president and Congress and the ways in which the president is able to lead Congress.
5. Explain the role of the president in developing national security policy.
6. Discuss the importance of public opinion to the president and his or her ability to obtain the support of the public.
7. Examine the relationship between the president and the media.
8. Understand the place of the presidency in American democracy and the effect the presidency has had on the scope of government
I. The Presidents (pp. 392-397)
A. Great Expectations
B. Who They Are
C. How They Got There
1. Elections: the Normal Road to the White House
2. Succession and Impeachment
II. Presidential Powers (pp 397-400)
A. Constitutional Powers
B. The Expansion of Power
C. Perceptives on Presidential Power
III. Running the Government: The Chief Executive (pp.400-407)
A. The Vice President
B. The Cabinet
C. The Executive Office
1. The National Security Council
2. The Council of Economic Advisors
3. The Office of Management and Budget
D. The White House Staff
E. The First Lady
IV. Presidential Leadership of Congress
A. Chief Legislator
1. veto power
2. pocket veto
B. Party Leadership
1. The Bonds of Party
2. Slippage of Party Support
3. Leading the Party
(a) Presidential coattails
(b) Loses in Midterm Elections.
C. Public Support
D. Legislative Skills
V. The Presidential and National Security Policy (pp. 415-420)
A. Chief Diplomat
1. Diplomatic recognition.
2. Negotiates treaties
3. Executive Agreements
B. Commander-in-Chief
C. War Powers
1. War Powers Resolution
2. Legislative Veto
D. Crisis Manager
E. Working with Congress
VI. Power from the People: The Public Presidency (pp. 420-424)
A. Going Public
B. Presidential Approval
C. Policy Support
D. Mobilizing the Public
VII. The President and the Press (pp. 425-429)
VIII. Understanding the American Presidency (pp. 429-431)
A. The Presidency and Democracy
B. The Presidency and the Scope of Government
Assign: Edwards: Chapter 13.
Assign Essay on Presidential Powers (Choose one of the following):
1. “The greatest source of presidential power is not to be found in the Constitution but in politics and public opinion.” Assess the accuracy of this statement in terms of how president attempt to achieve their policy goals as they deal with the following: Congress, the courts, and the bureaucracy.
2. Conflicts between Congress and the President over war powers have their origin in the United States Constitution. In 1973 Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in an attempt to clarify the balance of power between the two branches of government.
(a) Describe the primary constitutional conflict between Congress and the President over the decision to go to war.
(b) Describe two provisions of the War Powers Resolution that were designed to limit the President’s power over war making.
(c) The War Powers Resolution has received mixed reviews, but Congres has other powers over war making. Other than the constitutional power you describe in (a), identify and explaim two other formal powers Congress has over war making.
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. What are the characteristics of American presidents? How do presidents and vice presidents get into office?
2. What are the formal constitutional powers of the presidency and how have these powers expanded over the years?
3. How is the presidency organized? On whom does the president depend for advice about governmental and policy matters?
4. Explain the factors that affect presidential leadership of Congress. Why are some presidents more effective leaders than others?
5. What roles the the president play as leader of national security policy? How do these roles conflict with the role of Congress in the area of national security?
6. What factors affect presidential popularity and approval? How is popularity related to power and to policy-making?
7. Why is the press important tot the president? Give examples of the relationship between the press and the presidency.
8. How does the contemporary presidency differ from that envisioned by the Founders? Take a position on whther or not the president has become too powerful, and how this might affect democracy and the scope of government.
Video: The Power Game: The Presidency
THE CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT, AND THE BUDGET: THE POLITICS OF TAXING AND SPENDING
Objectives:
1. Describe the major sources of federal revenues.
2. Understand the nature of the tax system in America
3. Explain the nature of federal expenditures and why so much of the budget is uncontrollable.
4. Discuss how the budgetary process works, who is involved, and the politics of budgetary reform.
5. Understanding how budgeting affects democracy and the scope of government in America.
I. Introduction (pp.434-436)
A. Who bears the burden and benefits?
B. Budget
C. Deficit, expenditures, revenues, fiscal year
II. Sources of Federal Revenue (pp. 436-445)
A. Income Tax
B. Social Insurance Taxes
C. Borrowing
D. Taxes and Public Policy: Tax loopholes, Tax Expenditures, Tax reduction, & Tax reform
III. Federal Expenditures (pp.445-452)
A. Big Governments, Big Budgets
B. The Rise and Decline of the national Security Stae
C. The Rise of the Social Service Stat
1. Social Security Act.
2. Medicare
D. Incrementalism
E. “Uncontrollable” Expenditures (Entitlements)
IV. The Budgetary Process (pp. 453-459)
A. Budgetary Policies
1. Stakes and Strategies
2. The Players
B. The Presidents Budget
C. Congress and the Budget
1. Reforming the Process
(a) The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974
(b) Budget Resolution
(c) Budget Reconciliation.
(d) Authorization bills
(e) Appropriation bills
2. The Success of the 19974 Reforms
3. More Reforms
(a) Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act.
(b) 1990 reforms
(c) Republican efforts to balance the budget
V. Understanding Budgeting (pp. 459-462)
A. Democracy and Budgeting
The Budget and the Scope of Government
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 14
Assign Essay on the Budgetary Process:
There is widespread belief that the federal government’s budget should be balanced, but the budget deficit increases every year. How can you explain this discrepancy in terms of the tax and spending policies that come from Congress and the President?
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. Why is government so big? What are the political implications of big government, and who benefits from it?
2. What are the principal sources of revenue for the federal government? What public policy problems or issues do taxation and government borrowing raise?
3. What are the principal categories of government expenditures? What are the reasons for the increasing expenditures for Social Security?
4. What is Incrementalism? How do uncontrollable expenditures contribute to incremental budget making?
5. Who are the players in budgetary politics? What stake do they have in the budget process, and what roles do they play?
6. Compare the role of the president and the role of Congress in the budgetary process. Where does their authority in the process come from?
7. Explain how the budgetary process has been reformed. How successful have the reforms been? Why is it so difficult to reform the budgetary process?
8. How does the budgetary process affect democracy and the scope of government? How have budgetary reforms affected the scope of government and the democratic process?
THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY
Objectives:
1. Describe the bureaucrats – who they are, how they got there, and what they do.
2. Discuss how the federal bureaucracy is organized.
3. Explain how bureaucracies function as implementers of public policy.
4. Explain how bureaucracies function as regulators.
5. Evaluate the problem of controlling bureaucracies in a democratic government and how bureaucracies affect the scope of government.
I. Introduction: Max Weber’s conception of Bureaucracy. (pp. 468-474)
II. The Bureaucrats (pp.468-474)
B. Some Bureaucratic Myths and Realities.
C. Who They Are and How They Got There
1. Civil Service: From Patronage to Protection
2. The Other Route to Federal Jobs: Recruiting from the Plum Book
III. How Bureaucracies Are Organized (pp. 474-479)
A. The Cabinet Departments.
B. The Regulatory Agencies
C. Government Corporations.
D. Independent Executive Agencies.
IV. Bureaucracies as Implementers (pp. 479-488)
A. What Implementation Means
B. Why the Best-Laid Plans Sometimes Flunk the Implementation Test.
C. A Case Study: The Voting Rights Act of 1965
V. Bureaucracies as Regulators (pp. 488-493)
A. Government Regulation in Everyday Life.
B. Regulation: How It Grew, How it Works.
C. Toward Deregulation
VI. Understanding Bureaucracies (pp. 493-501)
A. Bureaucracy and Democracy
1. Presidents Try to Control the Bureaucracy.
2. Congress Tries to Control the Bureaucracy.
3. Iron Triangles and Issue Networks.
B. Bureaucracy and the Scope of Government.
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 15.
Assign Essay: on the Federal Bureaucracy:
To What extent does the United States federal bureaucracy stand above politics and administer impartially the laws enacted by Congress? In your answer be sure to discuss both of the following:
A. the relationship between the federal bureaucracy and organized interests, and
B. the role of the federal bureaucracy in shaping public policy.
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. How does one become a bureaucrat? What myths surround the bureaucracy
in the United States?
2. Compare and contrast the different theories of the bureaucracy. Which one do you believe best reflects reality?
3. How is the United States bureaucracy organized? What policymaking roles do the different federal executive agencies play?
4. What is policy implementation and what are its main features? What factors facilitate and what factors hinder successful implementation of a public policy?
5. What is needed for an agency to perform its regulatory role? What are the pros and cons of deregulation?
6. How do politics permeate bureaucracies? What factors make it difficult to control bureaucracies? What methos are available to the president and Congress to control bureaucracies?
7. What is the role of bureaucracies in the federal system? Is the federal bureaucracy too big? What are the pros and cons of a large bureaucracy?
THE FEDERAL COURTS
Objectives:
1. Understand the nature of the judicial system.
2. Explain how courts in the United States are organized and the nature of their jurisdiction.
3. Describe the role of judges in the judicial process, including their background and how they were selected.
4. Discuss Supreme Court policymaking and judicial implementation.
5. Explain the role of the courts in shaping the policy agenda in America,
6. Evaluate how the courts operate in a democratic system and how their activities affect the scope of government.
I. The Nature of the Judicial System
A. Introduction
1. Criminal Law
2. Civil Law
B. Participants in the Judicial System
1. Litigants
(a) Plaintiff and defendant.
` (b) Standing to Sue
(c) Class action suits.
(d) Justifiable disputes
2. Groups and Amicus Curiae briefs
3. Attorneys
II. The Structure of the Federal Judicial System (pp. 509-514)
A. Introduction.
1. Constitutional Courts and Legislative Courts
2. Original Jurisdiction
3. Appellate Jurisdiction
B. District Courts
C. Courts of Appeals
D. The US Supreme Courts
III. The Politics of Judicial Selection (pp. 514-517)
A. Lower Courts – Senatorial Courtesy
B. Supreme Court
IV. The Background of Judges and Justices (pp. 517-521)
V. The Courts as Policymakers (pp. 521-528)
A. Accepting Cases
1. Writ of Certiorari
2. Solicitor General
B. Making Decisions
1. Amicus Curiae briefs
2. Opinions.
3. Stare Decisis
4. Precedent
5. Original Intent
C. Judicial Implementation
VI. The Courts and the Policy Agenda (pp. 528-532)
A. Historical Review
1. John Marshal, Judicial Review, Marbury v. Madison.
2. The “Nine Old Men”
3. The Warren Court
4. The Burger Court
5. The Rehnquist Court
6. The Roberts Court
VII. Understanding the Courts (pp.532-538)
A. The Courts and Democracy.
B. What Courts Should Do: The Scope of Judicial Power
1. Judicial restraint.
2. Judicial Activism
3. Doctrine of Political Question
4. Statutory Construction
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 16
Assign Essay on the Supreme Court:
It is sometimes said that “the Supreme Court follows the election returns.” Implying that the Court cannot stray too far from public opinion in its decisions. Using concrete examples from the period since 1954, critically evaluate evidence that both supports and refutes this contention. In you answer, be sure to examine the factors that account for the relationship beteen the Court and public opinion.
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. How do the courts work? Who are the key participants in the American judicial system and what do they do?
2. Explain the structure of the American judicial system. What are the differences between the federal district courts, courts of appeal, and the Supreme Court?
3. What is the process by which members of the Supreme Court are chosen? How does the appointment process for other federal courts differ?
4. What are they typical characteristics of American judges and justices? How do their backgrounds and personal characteristics affect judicial power?
5. How do the courts shape public policies in their decisions and in the opinions by judges used to justify decisions? What effect have the courts had on the policy agenda? Use historical examples in you answer.
6. How do court decisions become public policy? What is involved in judicial implementation? Use examples to illustrate the potential problems of implementing court decisions.
7.
What is the role of courts in a democracy? What are the major criticisms
of the court system in the United States today? In
Video: This Honorable Court
Objective Test on “The Policymakers” Chapters 12 - 16
Unit VI: PUBLIC POLICY
ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING
Objectives:
1. Understand the relationship between politics and the economy.
2. Describe the instruments and programs that policymakers use to affect the state of the economy.
3. Explain the obstacles to controlling the economy.
4. Discuss the major isses and policy directions that have been pursued in the areas of business, consumer, and labor policy.
5. Understand the relationship between democracy, the scope of government and economic policymaking.
I. Government and the Economy (pp. 544-546)
A. Introduction.
1. Capitalism
2. Mixed Economy
B. Voters, Politicians, and Economic Policy
C. Two Major Worries: Unemployment and Inflation
II. Instruments for controlling the Economy (pp. 547-549)
A. laissez-faire
B. Monetary Policy and “The Fed”
1. Monetary policy
2. Monetarism
C. Fiscal Policy: Keynesian versus Supply Side-Economics
G. Obstacles for Controlling the Economy (pp.549-552)
H. Arenas of Economic Policy Making (pp. 553-558)
A. Business and Public Policy: Regulation: Regulation and Subsidies
B. Consumer Policy: The Rise of the Consumer Lobby
C. Labor and Government
1. The National Labor Relations Act
2. The Taft-Hartley Act
3. Right-to-Work Laws
I. New Economy, New Policy Issues (pp. 558-559)
VI. Understanding Economic Policymaking (pp. 559-560)
1. Democracy and Economic Policymaking
2. Economic Policymaking and the Scope of Government
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 17
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. How are politics and economic related? Why do politicians and policymakers try to control the economy?
2. What are the principle instruments available to policymakers for controlling the economy? Compare monetarism, Keynesian economic theory, and supply-side economics.
3. What obstacles does the government face in attempti9ng to control the economy?
4. What policies has government used to try to control American business? Has the government been successful?
5. When and why did the consumer movement emerge? What are some of the major developments in consumer policy?
6.
How has government policy toward labor changed in the last century? What
public policies have emerged to protect workers?
7. How closely does economic policymaking in the United States conform to
democratic theory?
SOCIAL WELFARE POLICYMAKING
Objectives:
1. Understand the debate over social welfare poicy in the United States and why it is so controversial.
2. Discuss the nature of wealth and poverty and how public policy affects income in the United States.
3. Explain the evolution of social welfare programs in the United States.
4. Understand the debate concerning the future of social welfare policy.
5. Explain how social welfare policy in other countries differs from the United States.
6. Understand the place for social welfare policies in a democracy and how they contribute to the scope of government.
I. What is Social Policy and Why is it so Controversial? (pp. 566-567)
A. Social Welfare Policies
B. Entitlement programs
C. Means-tested programs
II. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy (pp. 567-573)
A. Who’s Getting What?
1. Income Distribution
2. Income
3. Wealth
B. Who’s Poor in America?
1. Poverty Line
2. Feminization of poverty.
C. What Part Government Play?
1. Taxation
2. Government Expenditures
III. Helping the Poor?: Social Policy and Poverty (pp. 573-577)
A. “Welfare” as We Knew It.
1. Social Security Act of 1935
2. Johnson’s Great Society
3. Reagan’s limited social welfare spending
B. Ending Welfare as We Knew It: Welfare Reforms of 1996
IV. Living on Borrowed Time: Social Security (pp. 577-583)
A. The New Deal, the Elderly and the Growth of Social Security
B. The Future of Social Security
V. Social Welfare Policy Elsewhere (p. 583)
J. Understanding Social Welfare Policy (pp. 584-585(
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 18
Essay on Social Welfare
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. Explain the nature of the distribution of income and wealth in the United Sates. What are the characteristics of poverty and poor people in the United States?
2. How does public policy affect the distribution of income in the United States?
3. What are the different types of social welfare programs in the United States and how do they compare to social welfare programs in other countries?
4. How have social welfare programs evolved in the Unites States? In particular compare the New Deal legislation and Great Society legislation with Reagan’s policies.
5. What are the major problems facing social welfare programs today? Speculate on the future of social welfare in the United States.
6. Describe the debate concerning the causes of poverty and whether social welfare policies really work in our democracy. Take sides on the debate and defend you position.
POLICYMAKING FOR HEALTH CARE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Objectives:
1. Explain the nature of health care and health care policy in the United States.
2. Discuss the issues surrounding the environment and the programs and policies to deal with them.
3. Understand the issues surrounding energy policy and global warming.
4. Understand the relationship between health and environmental policy and democracy and the scope of government.
I. Health Care Policy (pp. 590-600)
A. The Health of Americans
B. The Cost of Health Care
C. Uneven Coverage, Uneven Care
D. The Role of Government in Health Care
1. National Institutes of Health
2. National Health Insurance Proposals
` 3. Medicare and Medicaid
` E. Policymaking for Health Care
1. The politics of Health Care
2. The Clinton Heath Care Reform Plan
3. The Health Policy Issues Ahead.
II. Environmental Policy (pp. 601-606)
A. Introduction
B. Environmental Policies in America
1. The Environmental Protection Agency
2. The National Environmental Policy Act
3. The Clean Air Act of 1970
4. The Water Pollution Control Act of 1972
5. Wilderness Preservation
6. The Endangered Species Act of 1973
7. Toxic Wastes and the Superfund
III. Energy Policy (pp. 606-611)
A. Energy Sources and Energy Politics (coal, oil, nuclear)
B. The Global Warming Debate
V. Groups, Energy and the Environment (pp. 609-611)
VI. Understanding Health Care and Environmental Policy (pp. 611-612)
a. Democracy and Health Care and Environmental Policy.
b. The Scope of Government and Health Care and Environmental Policy
Assign: Edwards, Chapter 19
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. Describe the mature pf American health. How does the health of the American public compare with that of other nations?
2. How does the American government been involved in the public’s health? What factors tend to influence policymaking for health care?
3. Describe and evaluate American environmental policy. What are the biggest obstacles to a clean environment?
4. Describe the American energy profile. What resources do we have? What resources do we use? What political and policy issues are involved with each energy resource?
5. How do democracies handle technological issues? What is the impact of technological issues on the scope of American government?
NATIONAL SECURITY POLICYMAKING
Objectives:
1. Identify the many actors involved in making and shaping American foreign policy and discuss the roles they play.
2. Describe how American foreign policy has changed since the end of World War II.
3. Discuss the policy of defense policy.
4. Examine the new issues on the global agenda, particularly those concerning the world economy, energy and environment.
5. Understand the role of foreign and defense policymaking in a democracy and how foreign and defense policy affects the scope of government.
I. American Foreign Policy: Instruments, Actors, and Policymakers (pp. 618-628)
A. Foreign Policy
B. Instruments of Foreign Policy
1. Military
2. Economic
3. Diplomacy
C. Actors on the World State
1. International organizations (UN)
2. Regional Organizations
(a) NATO
(b) European Union
3. Multinational corporations.
4. Nongovernmental organizations
5. Individuals
D. The Policymakers
1. The President
2. The Diplomats
3. The National Security Establishment
(a) Secretary of Defense
(b) Joint Chiefs of Staff
(c) The National Security Council
(d) The Central Intelligence Agency
4. Congress
II. American Foreign Policy: An Overview (pp. 628-636)
B. Isolationism
C. The Cold War
1. Containment Abroad and Anti-Communism at Home
(a) Containment Doctrine
(b) The Cold War and Brinksmanship
(c) Mc McCarthyism
2. The Swelling of the Pentagon
(a) The military industrial complex
(b) The Arms race
D. The Era of Détente
E. The Reagan Rearmament (Strategic Defense Initiative)
F. The Final Thaw in the Cold War
G. The War on Terrorism
III. The Politics of Defense Spending (pp. 636-640)
IV. The New Global Agenda (pp. 640-650
A. The Decreasing Role of Military Power
B. Nuclear Proliferation
C. The International Economy
1. Interdependency
2. International Trade
3. Balance of Trade
D. International Inequality and Foreign Aid
E. The Global Connection, Energy and the Environment
IV. Understanding National Security Policy making (pp. 650-652)
Assign: Edwards Chapter 20
Video: The Power Game: The Pentagon
Current News Articles
Essays for the portfolio:
1. Who are the actors on the world’ foreign policy stage? Who makes foreign policy in the United States?
2. What was the C9old War, and why did it emerge from isolationism? What were its consequences at home and abroad?
3. Compare the politics and policy of the Cold War to the politics an policy of détente. Be sure to include a discussion of the containment doctrine and the arms talks in your answer.
4. Hold did the Cold War end? What consequences doe the end of the cold war have on American foreign and defense policymaking?
5. What are the politics of military spending? How do liberals and conservatives differ in regard to their view of defense spending?
6. Why does the United States often have troubles in their foreign policy initiatives?
7. Describe the changing global agenda in terms of the policy arenas of the economy, equality, energy, and environment. What is the importance of issues within each arena on the contemporary global agenda of the United States?
8. Critique the statement “democracy has very little to do with the international relations of the United State.” In what ways is American foreign and defense policymaking a democratic process and in what ways is it not?
Semester Objective Examination: Chapters 12-20