Post on 30-May-2018
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
1/38
Introduction toIntroduction to
AmericanAmerican
Government(s)Government(s)Professor: Johnathan Gay, Esq.Professor: Johnathan Gay, Esq.
606-743-4005 (O)606-743-4005 (O)
606-662-9630 (H)606-662-9630 (H)
859-797-5759 (C)859-797-5759 (C)
**
151 University Drive, West Liberty, KY 41472151 University Drive, West Liberty, KY 41472**
jgay@kyinnovation.comjgay@kyinnovation.com
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
2/38
Class WebsiteClass Website
http://westlibertygov141.blogspot.cohttp://westlibertygov141.blogspot.co
http://westlibertygov141.blogspot.com/http://westlibertygov141.blogspot.com/http://westlibertygov141.blogspot.com/8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
3/38
Course DescriptionCourse Description
The purpose of this course is toThe purpose of this course is to
introduce students to the politicalintroduce students to the political
science that underpins Americanscience that underpins Americangovernments. At the end of thisgovernments. At the end of this
course students should be familiarcourse students should be familiar
with the major institutions in Americawith the major institutions in America
that play a driving role in Americanthat play a driving role in Americangovernment. We will pay specialgovernment. We will pay special
attention to: the role of the courts;attention to: the role of the courts;
public opinion in a multimedia era;public opinion in a multimedia era;
foreign policy, the two major politicalforeign policy, the two major political
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
4/38
Course FocusCourse Focus
In addition to giving you an overallIn addition to giving you an overall
explanation of the federalexplanation of the federal
government system in America, wellgovernment system in America, well
pay special attention to some of thepay special attention to some of the
following:following:
The PresidencyThe Presidency
The EconomyThe Economy
Foreign PolicyForeign Policy
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
5/38
ReadingsReadings
Textbook chapters TBATextbook chapters TBA
Outside reading list TBA I hope toOutside reading list TBA I hope to
have a comprehensive list by Jan. 12,have a comprehensive list by Jan. 12,
2009.2009.
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
6/38
Textbook:Textbook:
The Struggle for DemocracyThe Struggle for Democracy
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
7/38
Course RequirementsCourse Requirements
1) Four exams1) Four exams 10 points each10 points each
(40%)(40%)
2) Comprehensive final2) Comprehensive final
20 points20 points
(20%)(20%)
3) Create a political blog3) Create a political blog 15 points15 points
(15%)**(15%)**
4) Essay4) Essay (10 Pages)(10 Pages) 1515
points (15%)***points (15%)***
5) Participation5) Participation 10 points10 points****10% **** and Attendance
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
8/38
BlogsBlogs
A weblog shortened to blog is a websiteA weblog shortened to blog is a website
where entries are made [and] displayed inwhere entries are made [and] displayed in
reverse chronological order.reverse chronological order.
Blogs are a way for you to express yourBlogs are a way for you to express yourpoliticalpolitical
opinions on an issue in a way that could beopinions on an issue in a way that could be
educational, opinionated, etc. Blogs areeducational, opinionated, etc. Blogs aretools fortools for
campaigns, whether those campaigns arecampaigns, whether those campaigns areforfor
candidates or causes or ideologies.candidates or causes or ideologies.
Examples in KY:Examples in KY:
10.10. www.pageonekentucky.comwww.pageonekentucky.com
(left/liberal/Dem)(left/liberal/Dem)
http://www.pageonekentucky.com/http://www.pageonekentucky.com/http://www.kyprogress.blogspot.com/http://www.pageonekentucky.com/8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
9/38
Essay AssignmentEssay Assignment
Write an introductory essay on aWrite an introductory essay on a
Federal government issue of yourFederal government issue of your
choosing.choosing.
Once youve determined what issueOnce youve determined what issue
you want to write on, get finalyou want to write on, get final
clearance from me. (I just want toclearance from me. (I just want to
ensure that this is actually a federalensure that this is actually a federalissue.)issue.)
Write the essay from the standpointWrite the essay from the standpoint
of Federal policy (this can includeof Federal policy (this can include
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
10/38
Socratic MethodSocratic MethodSocratic method is used in contemporary legalSocratic method is used in contemporary legaleducation by many law schools. In a typicaleducation by many law schools. In a typicalclass setting, the professor asks a question andclass setting, the professor asks a question andcalls on a student who may or may not havecalls on a student who may or may not havevolunteered an answer. The professor eithervolunteered an answer. The professor eitherthen continues to ask the student questions orthen continues to ask the student questions ormoves on to another student.moves on to another student.
These subsequent questions can take a fewThese subsequent questions can take a fewforms. Sometimes they seek to challenge theforms. Sometimes they seek to challenge the
assumptions upon which the student based theassumptions upon which the student based theprevious answer until it breaks. Furtherprevious answer until it breaks. Furtherquestions can also be designed to move aquestions can also be designed to move astudent toward greater specificity, either instudent toward greater specificity, either inunderstanding a rule of law or a particular case.understanding a rule of law or a particular case.Finally professors use the Socratic method toFinally professors use the Socratic method to
allow students to come to legal principles onallow students to come to legal principles ontheir own through carefully worded questionstheir own through carefully worded questions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Plato-raphael.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Plato-raphael.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Plato-raphael.jpg8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
11/38
Class AttendanceClass AttendanceMandatory Unless ExcusedMandatory Unless Excused
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
12/38
Academic HonestyAcademic Honesty
Do your own workDo your own work
Borrow ideas, always, but NEVERBorrow ideas, always, but NEVER
steal wordssteal words
Always, always, always attributeAlways, always, always attribute
Ronald Regan: Trust, but verify.Ronald Regan: Trust, but verify.
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
13/38
Class DisruptionClass Disruption
Dont do it.Dont do it.
Turn off cell phonesTurn off cell phones
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
14/38
Special Needs?Special Needs?Confer with instructor. AllConfer with instructor. All
efforts will be made toefforts will be made toaccommodate you.accommodate you.
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
15/38
Office HoursOffice Hours
After class, by appointment.After class, by appointment.
Accessible by telephone and emailAccessible by telephone and email
Can arrange to meet you whenCan arrange to meet you whennecessary.necessary.
Th St l f (Th St l f (
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
16/38
The Struggle for (aThe Struggle for (a
republican form of)republican form of)
DemocracyDemocracy
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
17/38
Why Have aWhy Have a
Government?Government?
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
18/38
Types of GovernmentTypes of Government
OligarchyOligarchy
MonarchyMonarchy
DemocracyDemocracy RepublicRepublic
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
19/38
Americas DemocracyAmericas Democracy
Republican: Governed by a charterRepublican: Governed by a charter
Democratic: The voters ultimatelyDemocratic: The voters ultimately
decide most issues, but there aredecide most issues, but there are
checks and balances.checks and balances.
Representative: The voters exerciseRepresentative: The voters exercise
their opinions through electedtheir opinions through elected
officials.officials.
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
20/38
Benchmarks of OurBenchmarks of Our
DemocracyDemocracy Popular Sovereignty: Ultimately thePopular Sovereignty: Ultimately the
people rule and that determines ourpeople rule and that determines our
governments legitimacygovernments legitimacy
Political Equality: One Man, OnePolitical Equality: One Man, One
VoteVote
Political Liberty: The rights thatPolitical Liberty: The rights that
guarantee your ability to be involvedguarantee your ability to be involved
in your political systemin your political system
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
21/38
Some Problems withSome Problems with
Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy
The Tyranny of the MajorityThe Tyranny of the Majority
Voters can be very uninformed andVoters can be very uninformed and
irrationalirrational
Majorities threaten minoritiesMajorities threaten minorities
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
22/38
The StruggleThe Struggle
The policy of American governmentThe policy of American government
is nearly always arrived at ONLYis nearly always arrived at ONLY
following struggle.following struggle.
Regional StruggleRegional Struggle
Ethnic StruggleEthnic Struggle
Industry StruggleIndustry Struggle
Ideological StruggleIdeological Struggle
Purely political strugglePurely political struggle
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
23/38
Political StructurePolitical Structureof all Americanof all American
Government(s)Government(s)
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
24/38
A constitutionA constitution
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
25/38
FederalismFederalism
Federal GovernmentFederal Government
State GovernmentsState Governments
County GovernmentsCounty Governments City GovernmentsCity Governments
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
26/38
The PThe P
WordWordPolitics Ugh!!Politics Ugh!!
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
27/38
PoliticsPolitics
Public OpinionPublic Opinion
Interest GroupsInterest Groups
The partiesThe parties ElectionsElections
The News MediaThe News Media
The Old News MediaThe Old News MediaThe New News MediaThe New News Media
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
28/38
Federal GovernmentFederal Government
Three Branches (plus)Three Branches (plus)
CongressCongress
ExecutiveExecutive
CourtsCourts
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
29/38
The FourthThe Fourth
Branch??Branch??The Federal BureaucracyThe Federal Bureaucracy
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
30/38
What Does the FederalWhat Does the Federal
Government Do?Government Do?
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
31/38
Determines the LowerDetermines the Lower
Boundaries of FreedomBoundaries of Freedom
Civil Rights and LibertiesCivil Rights and Liberties
Freedom of speechFreedom of speech
Freedom of religionFreedom of religion PrivacyPrivacy
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
32/38
Sets Economic and SocialSets Economic and Social
Welfare PoliciesWelfare Policies
The Commerce ClauseThe Commerce Clause
Social SecuritySocial Security
Law and orderLaw and order
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
33/38
Conducts Foreign Policy &Conducts Foreign Policy &
National DefenseNational Defense
TreatiesTreaties
Foreign AidForeign Aid
Commits TroopsCommits Troops Conducts WarConducts War
Carries out EspionageCarries out Espionage
Connecting the MainConnecting the Main
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
34/38
Connecting the MainConnecting the Main
Factors of Political Life inFactors of Political Life in
AmericaAmerica See Page 19(?) Figure 1.1: TheSee Page 19(?) Figure 1.1: TheAnalytical FrameworkAnalytical Framework
Policy Pyramid or Policy PipelinePolicy Pyramid or Policy Pipeline
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
35/38
The PolicyThe Policy
Pipeline/PyramidPipeline/PyramidThe Well: Society, Economy, PoliticalThe Well: Society, Economy, Political
Culture (shaped by popular culture),Culture (shaped by popular culture),
International System, ConstitutionalInternational System, Constitutional
Rules (interpretation)Rules (interpretation)
The Pump: The Political System:The Pump: The Political System:
Public Opinion and the News Media,Public Opinion and the News Media,
Interest Groups and SocialInterest Groups and SocialMovements, Political Parties,Movements, Political Parties,
ElectionsElections
The Tap: Government- The President,The Tap: Government- The President,
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
36/38
The Wellsprings ofThe Wellsprings of
American Public PolicyAmerican Public Policy
Society: The people, or the voters, dividedSociety: The people, or the voters, divided
as they are in their disparate groups,as they are in their disparate groups,
ethnicities, religions, etc.ethnicities, religions, etc.
The Economy: How scarce resources areThe Economy: How scarce resources areallocated. In American, that means aallocated. In American, that means a
regulated free marketplace.regulated free marketplace.
Political Culture: In American, egalitarian,Political Culture: In American, egalitarian,
independent spirited, competitiveindependent spirited, competitive
Constitution: The hard rules we live by.Constitution: The hard rules we live by.
International System: How we postureInternational System: How we posture
ourselves to deal with others outsideourselves to deal with others outside
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
37/38
The Pump: PoliticalThe Pump: Political
LinkagesLinkages Public Opinion: Peoples opinions travel in herds.Public Opinion: Peoples opinions travel in herds.
Whats hot today may be cool tomorrow. Still,Whats hot today may be cool tomorrow. Still,very powerful.very powerful.
The News: They shape our public opinion byThe News: They shape our public opinion by
telling us whats newsworthy and by covering it intelling us whats newsworthy and by covering it ina certain way.a certain way.
Interest Groups and Special Interests: TheseInterest Groups and Special Interests: Thesegroups tell us whats important to our interests.groups tell us whats important to our interests.Unions, NRA, Civil Rights Movement, etc.Unions, NRA, Civil Rights Movement, etc.
Parties: Rs and Ds these give us a way to hangParties: Rs and Ds these give us a way to hangour hats w/out the burden of deep research.our hats w/out the burden of deep research.
Elections: Very structured in America. TheseElections: Very structured in America. Thesecycles set the rhythms by which our electedcycles set the rhythms by which our elected
officials conduct public policy.officials conduct public policy.
8/14/2019 Gov 141 Class 1
38/38
The Spout:The Spout:
Governmental LevelGovernmental LevelThe PresidentThe President
CongressCongress
Supreme CourtSupreme CourtThe Bureaucracy: They do help makeThe Bureaucracy: They do help make
public policy and theirpublic policy and their
enforcement/administration of publicenforcement/administration of public
policy makes their opinions verypolicy makes their opinions very
influential and ensures a certaininfluential and ensures a certain
amount of autonomy.amount of autonomy.