POLS 15B - Chapter 1 - Political Thinking PDF

Preview

Summary

Textbook notes.
Professor: Jeremy Abrams...

Description

POLS 15B - Chapter 1 – Political Thinking & Political Culture: Becoming a Responsible Citizen I.

Learning to Think Politically a. political thinking: critical thinking focused on deciding what can be reasonably be believed and then using that information to make political judgments b. Enables citizens to act responsibly c. NOT defined by conclusions a person reaches d. process through which conclusions are reached e. Involves critical evaluation of information in process of forming a judgment about issue at hand f. John Stuart Mill i. English philosopher ii. Claims that responsible citizenship is the basis for democracy iii. Rejected authoritarianism and embraced democracy 1. Provides opportunity for personal development, but individuals bear responsibility a. In this sense, democracy is double edged

II.

Obstacles to Political Thinking a. Unwillingness to make the effort b. Social media c. Sticking with views similar to own

III.

What Political Science Can Contribute to Political Thinking a. Will learn how to think politically b. political science: systematic study of government and politics c. Different frameworks: i. Rational Choice Theory ii. Institutional analysis iii. Historical reasoning iv. Behavioral studies v. Legal reasoning vi. Cultural analysis d. Analytical tools i. Reliable information about how U.S. political system operates ii. Systematic generalizations about major tendencies in American politics iii. Terms and concepts that precisely describe key aspects of politics

IV.

Political Culture: Americans’ Enduring Beliefs a. political culture: widely shared and deep-seated beliefs of its people about politics b. Americans are linked together by shared set of ideals, not ancestry like other countries i. Rooted in European heritage of first white settlers ii. Arrived during Enlightenment period

1. Possibility of individual choice iii. Colonists overturned European way of governing iv. American Revolution 1. First successful large-scale rebellion in human history 2. Later, leaders would be required to govern within set of rules designed to protect people’s rights and interests V.

Core Values: Liberty, Individualism, Equality, and Self-Government a. liberty: principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose i. Provided they don’t infringe unreasonably on freedom and well-being of others b. individualism: commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency c. equality: individuals are equal in moral worth and thereby entitled to equal treatment under the law d. self-government: principle that people are ultimate source of governing authority

VI.

Limit and Power of Americans’ Ideals a. Cultural beliefs  idealistic b. No guarantee that people will live up to promise of ideals i. Slavery ii. Segregation iii. Jim Crow laws iv. Ban on certain immigrants c. Public education system reflects Americans’ determination to build more equal society d. Society has also been shaped by principles of liberty and self-government

VII.

Politics and Power in America a. politics: means by which society settles conflicts and allocates resulting benefits and costs b. Those who prevail in political conflicts are said to have power c. power: ability of persons, groups, or institutions to influence political developments d. authoritarian government: openly represses political opponents i. methods 1. intimidation 2. prohibitions on free expression 3. brutalizing/imprisoning opposition ii. U.S. is opposite

VIII.

Democratic System a. democracy: form of government in which people govern (directly/indirectly through elected representatives) i. demos: “the people” ii. kratis: “to rule” iii. different from: 1. oligarchy: controlled by small group

2. autocracy: controlled by single individual b. majoritarianism: political leaders respond to policy desires of majority c. party (partisan) polarization i. occurs primarily between Republicans and Democrats ii. competition has intensified over time d. some political scientists claim that government often operates as pluristic systems (multi-interest) i. pluralism: preference of special interest largely determines what government does ii. authority: recognized right of officials to exercise power IX.

Constitutional System a. constitutionalism: idea that there are lawful restrictions on government power b. legal action: use of courts as means of asserting rights and interests c. Gideon v. Wainwright i. Gideon stood trial without aid of a lawyer ii. Supreme Court ruled that the 6th amendment was violated 1. If the accused is too poor to hire a lawyer, the government must provide one

X.

Free-Market System a. communism: government owns most or all major industries and also takes responsibility for overall management of the economy b. socialism: government owns a number of major industries and guarantees every individual a minimum standard of living c. free-market system: operates mainly on private transactions d. U.S. is mainly a free-market system e. Enormous concentrations of power and wealth exist in private sector (large corporations) f. corporate power: operates in part through the influence that firms have with government officials g. wealth is foundation of elitism h. elitism: power exercised by well-positioned and highly influential individuals

XI.

Who Governs? a. Power is wide-spread b. Exercised by many groups

XII.

**Extra Information** a. public policy: decisions of government to pursue particular courses of action...