Chapter 13Chapter 13

Politics in the United Politics in the United StatesStates

IntroductionIntroduction

Viewing American politics with a Viewing American politics with a special focus on how it resembles special focus on how it resembles and differs from politics in other and differs from politics in other nations will allow us to better nations will allow us to better understand the U.S. political systemunderstand the U.S. political system

Key StatisticsKey Statistics

Population: 300 millionPopulation: 300 million Territory: 3,475,031 sq. milesTerritory: 3,475,031 sq. miles Independence: 1776; Constitution: 1789Independence: 1776; Constitution: 1789 Head of State/Head of Government: Head of State/Head of Government:

President George W. BushPresident George W. Bush Languages: English & SpanishLanguages: English & Spanish Religion: 56% Protestant, 28% Catholic, Religion: 56% Protestant, 28% Catholic,

2% Muslim, 2% Mormon, 2% Jewish, 10% 2% Muslim, 2% Mormon, 2% Jewish, 10% NoneNone

Current Policy ChallengesCurrent Policy Challenges

War on Terror – no clear cut enemyWar on Terror – no clear cut enemy Economic RecessionEconomic Recession Socioeconomic Status/ Social Issues faced by African-Socioeconomic Status/ Social Issues faced by African-

Americans and Hispanic AmericansAmericans and Hispanic Americans ““War on Drugs”War on Drugs” Environmental Issues/ Global WarmingEnvironmental Issues/ Global Warming Education – National TestingEducation – National Testing ImmigrationImmigration Foreign Policy – “Bush Doctrine” – preemptive strike in the Foreign Policy – “Bush Doctrine” – preemptive strike in the

wake of 9/11, in particular to thwart the possible use of wake of 9/11, in particular to thwart the possible use of WMD’sWMD’s

War in Iraq (Acting unilaterally, without UN support)War in Iraq (Acting unilaterally, without UN support)

Bush PolicyBush Policy

Patriot ActPatriot Act ““No Child Left Behind” NCLBNo Child Left Behind” NCLB Running large deficits in the national Running large deficits in the national

budgetbudget Right-wing Christian fundamentalist Right-wing Christian fundamentalist

resurgenceresurgence Tax cut – in particular for the wealthyTax cut – in particular for the wealthy Increased size of federal government more Increased size of federal government more

than any president in U.S. historythan any president in U.S. history

U.S. HistoryU.S. History

Oldest standing constitutionOldest standing constitution Democratic Party is the oldest active Democratic Party is the oldest active

political party in the worldpolitical party in the world Civil War was the watershed event in Civil War was the watershed event in

solidifying the U.S. political system solidifying the U.S. political system (14 Amendment, citizens of U.S. first, (14 Amendment, citizens of U.S. first, then the states)then the states)

GeographyGeography

Bordered by Atlantic Ocean (East), Bordered by Atlantic Ocean (East), Pacific Ocean (West), Canada Pacific Ocean (West), Canada (North), and Mexico (South)(North), and Mexico (South)

This secluded geographic position led This secluded geographic position led to the practice of isolationism in to the practice of isolationism in foreign policy through the 19foreign policy through the 19thth centurycentury

PopulationPopulation

300 million300 million 3 waves of immigration3 waves of immigration

1. 1840-1860 (Western Europe/Scandinavia1. 1840-1860 (Western Europe/Scandinavia

2. 1870-1920 (Asia/Eastern Europe)2. 1870-1920 (Asia/Eastern Europe)

3. 1945-Present (Latin America/Asia)3. 1945-Present (Latin America/Asia)

EconomyEconomy World’s largest economy, GNP of $9.9 trillion in 2000World’s largest economy, GNP of $9.9 trillion in 2000 America has become largest debtor nationAmerica has become largest debtor nation

1. Americans buy more foreign goods than foreigners by 1. Americans buy more foreign goods than foreigners by U.S. U.S. goodsgoods

2. Federal government operates enormous deficits in the 2. Federal government operates enormous deficits in the federal budget.federal budget.

American government subsidizes many American American government subsidizes many American businessesbusinesses

American government pays for research, design, American government pays for research, design, production, and marketing in many areas and allows for production, and marketing in many areas and allows for access to this research for freeaccess to this research for free

Tariffs & Import QuotasTariffs & Import Quotas Minimum WageMinimum Wage

Constitutional SystemConstitutional System

Bill of Rights – secures civil liberties, Bill of Rights – secures civil liberties, due process, and individual rightsdue process, and individual rights

Federalism – government powers Federalism – government powers divided among national, state, and divided among national, state, and local governmentslocal governments

Constitution continuedConstitution continued

Powers Assigned to Federal Powers Assigned to Federal Gov’tGov’t

1.1. Declare WarDeclare War

2.2. Make Treaties with Foreign NationsMake Treaties with Foreign Nations

3.3. Coin MoneyCoin Money

4.4. Regulate Commerce between statesRegulate Commerce between states

Constitution continuedConstitution continued

Powers Assigned to States by Powers Assigned to States by 1010thth Amendment Amendment

1.1. EducationEducation

2.2. Marriage/DivorceMarriage/Divorce

3.3. Intrastate CommerceIntrastate Commerce

4.4. Regulation of Motor VehiclesRegulation of Motor Vehicles

5.5. Federal grant moneys limit states Federal grant moneys limit states authority by determining how money is authority by determining how money is spentspent

Constitution continuedConstitution continued

Powers that can be exercised Powers that can be exercised by both Federal & State by both Federal & State GovernmentGovernment

1.1. Imposing TaxesImposing Taxes

2.2. Defining & Punishing CrimesDefining & Punishing Crimes

3.3. Supreme Court decides which acts of the Supreme Court decides which acts of the federal government & state governments federal government & state governments are within their powersare within their powers

Separation of PowersSeparation of Powers

““Presidential Democracy”Presidential Democracy” System of Checks & BalancesSystem of Checks & Balances Legislative Power – CongressLegislative Power – Congress Judicial Power – Federal CourtsJudicial Power – Federal Courts Executive Power – Office of the Executive Power – Office of the

PresidentPresident See Figure 13.2See Figure 13.2

Constitution continuedConstitution continued Article I, Section 6 – “No person can hold any Article I, Section 6 – “No person can hold any

office in the U.S., while serving as a member of office in the U.S., while serving as a member of either House” (Separation of Powers as opposed either House” (Separation of Powers as opposed to fusion-of-powers, Great Britain & Germany)to fusion-of-powers, Great Britain & Germany)

Member of the House – two-year term(unlimited)Member of the House – two-year term(unlimited) Member of the Senate – six-year term (unlimited), Member of the Senate – six-year term (unlimited),

1/3 of the Senate up for election every two years)1/3 of the Senate up for election every two years) Electoral College – selects presidentElectoral College – selects president Federal Judges appointed by President, approved Federal Judges appointed by President, approved

by the Senateby the Senate Judicial ReviewJudicial Review

Political CulturePolitical Culture

Melting Pot vs. Patchwork QuiltMelting Pot vs. Patchwork Quilt Trust in Government – Skeptical Trust in Government – Skeptical

about politiciansabout politicians Love for country (Patriotism); distrust Love for country (Patriotism); distrust

of political office/officialsof political office/officials Politically efficaciousPolitically efficacious Litigiousness of SocietyLitigiousness of Society

Political SocializationPolitical Socialization

FamilyFamily SchoolSchool Mass media – “scarcity doctrine” – Mass media – “scarcity doctrine” –

print media is not regulated, print media is not regulated, however, broadcast media is limited however, broadcast media is limited in nature therefore it is regulated in nature therefore it is regulated and monitored with greater scrutinyand monitored with greater scrutiny

Social groups/relationshipsSocial groups/relationships

Political ParticipationPolitical Participation

Voter turnout – relatively poor in the Voter turnout – relatively poor in the U.S. compared to other advanced U.S. compared to other advanced democraciesdemocracies

Voter registrationVoter registration Campaign ActivityCampaign Activity Communal ActivityCommunal Activity Protest ActivityProtest Activity Table 13.4, pg.427Table 13.4, pg.427

Recruitment of LeadersRecruitment of Leaders

Middle & Upper class of social ladderMiddle & Upper class of social ladder Well educatedWell educated Look & Sound good on TVLook & Sound good on TV

Unique Direct PrimaryUnique Direct Primary

Candidate Selection – Who party members Candidate Selection – Who party members will campaign for and supportwill campaign for and support

Nomination – Who party will officially Nomination – Who party will officially nominatenominate

Election – process of voters registering Election – process of voters registering their choices among the nomineestheir choices among the nominees

Direct Primaries – candidates selected Direct Primaries – candidates selected directly by voters in government electionsdirectly by voters in government elections

PrimariesPrimaries Closed Closed – only persons registered as – only persons registered as

members of a particular party can vote in members of a particular party can vote in a primary (25 states)a primary (25 states)

Crossover Crossover – voters do not have to choose – voters do not have to choose a party to vote for until election day. (14 a party to vote for until election day. (14 states)states)

Open Open – voter’s can vote in whichever – voter’s can vote in whichever party primary they choose without party primary they choose without disclosing affiliationdisclosing affiliation

Blanket Blanket – voters can switch back and – voters can switch back and forth between parties in voting without forth between parties in voting without disclosing the switchdisclosing the switch

Interest Articulation:Interest Articulation:PAC’sPAC’s

They support or oppose candidates They support or oppose candidates nominated by partiesnominated by parties

Mainly interested in public policies Mainly interested in public policies elected officials draw up and passelected officials draw up and pass

Greatest increase in PAC’s have Greatest increase in PAC’s have come since 1974come since 1974

NRA largest campaign contributing NRA largest campaign contributing PAC, more than $14 millionPAC, more than $14 million

Over 4,000 PAC’s in the U.S.Over 4,000 PAC’s in the U.S.

PAC’sPAC’s

1.1. Narrow Material Interest PAC’s Narrow Material Interest PAC’s – back – back candidates that support legislation that favors a candidates that support legislation that favors a particular business or company (ie. Chrysler, particular business or company (ie. Chrysler, GE, Texaco, Coca-Cola)GE, Texaco, Coca-Cola)

2.2. Single, nonmaterial Interest PAC’s Single, nonmaterial Interest PAC’s – support – support candidates who support their nonmaterial candidates who support their nonmaterial issues (ie. NRA, National Right to Life issues (ie. NRA, National Right to Life Committee, Abortion Rights Action League)Committee, Abortion Rights Action League)

3.3. Ideological PAC’sIdeological PAC’s – support candidates – support candidates committed to certain ideology. (ie. National committed to certain ideology. (ie. National Committee for Effective Congress (Liberal), Committee for Effective Congress (Liberal), National Conservative Political Action National Conservative Political Action Committee (Conservative) )Committee (Conservative) )

Pressure GroupsPressure Groups

LobbyistsLobbyists

LitigationLitigation

Special Characteristics of American Political Special Characteristics of American Political PartiesParties

Two-Party System (Democrats vs. Republicans)Two-Party System (Democrats vs. Republicans)

““Americanization” of Electioneering (TV debates & Americanization” of Electioneering (TV debates & Advertisements, Canvassing voters, polling citizens)Advertisements, Canvassing voters, polling citizens)

Low Cohesion amongst party membersLow Cohesion amongst party members

Weak Discipline – neither president nor party congressional Weak Discipline – neither president nor party congressional leaders have any effective power over party members in leaders have any effective power over party members in Congress or at the state & local level to compel them to Congress or at the state & local level to compel them to vote one way or anothervote one way or another

Divided Party Control of Government (Ticket-Splitting)Divided Party Control of Government (Ticket-Splitting)

Decentralized OrganizationDecentralized Organization– Stratarchies (National, State, Local)Stratarchies (National, State, Local)

National LevelNational Level

Presidential PartyPresidential Party

Congressional PartyCongressional Party

State LevelState Level

Gubernatorial PartyGubernatorial Party

Legislative PartyLegislative Party

Local LevelLocal Level

Congressional District CommitteesCongressional District Committees County CommitteesCounty Committees City CommitteesCity Committees Wards/Precinct CommitteesWards/Precinct Committees

Policymaking in AmericaPolicymaking in America

Checks & BalancesChecks & Balances DeadlocksDeadlocks Coalition BuildingCoalition Building ““Government is a powerful and dangerous Government is a powerful and dangerous

institution created by fallible human institution created by fallible human beings. Its primary objective – its only beings. Its primary objective – its only legitimate reason for existing and being legitimate reason for existing and being obeyed – is to secure every person’s God-obeyed – is to secure every person’s God-given right to life, liberty, and property.”given right to life, liberty, and property.”

Policy PerformancePolicy Performance

Tax Policies Tax Policies – Federal government collects 62% of all – Federal government collects 62% of all taxes and 57% of revenues from all sources.taxes and 57% of revenues from all sources.-Progressive tax system that places heaviest burden on -Progressive tax system that places heaviest burden on those who can paythose who can pay

Distributive PerformanceDistributive Performance – Federal government spends – Federal government spends 56% of budget on social welfare functions, 19% on 56% of budget on social welfare functions, 19% on defense, 13% on national debt interest. (Education, 0.7%)defense, 13% on national debt interest. (Education, 0.7%)

Regulatory PerformanceRegulatory Performance1.1. Social InsuranceSocial Insurance2.2. EducationEducation3.3. Environmental ProtectionEnvironmental Protection

– TABLE 13.8, pg.448TABLE 13.8, pg.448– HOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO OTHER NATIONSHOW THE U.S. COMPARES TO OTHER NATIONS