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American Government 4/e Thomas E. Patterson | |||||
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American Government 4/e Thomas E. Patterson | |||||
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CHAPTER OUTLINE
Introduction
In last few decades, many Americans have lost confidence in the federal government
Many believe government is not performing as well as it should; high expectations
Modern government characterized by complexity and bigness
Public policy problems more complex; often defy resolution
Government today touches nearly every aspects of Americans’ lives
Complexity—increases cost of the search for policy solutions
Bigness—dilutes resources of society, forces trade-offs among goals
A problem of modern government is "overload"
The Challenge of Leadership
Leaders need help from groups and executive agencies
These special interests were controlled by checks and balances (Madison)
Today, the "tribalization of politics" (special interests over general interest)
Checks and balances is a cause of policy deadlock
Problems rarely addressed in its early stages
Leaders can gain widespread support only if a "sense of urgency" exists
Separate interests and institutions will not give up their own policy agendas
Genuine leadership; build public support for burdensome policies
Candidate-centered politics serves personal power needs, not collective accountability
Framers: should not wrench leadership from an institutional context
Americans are prone to think of an individual over institutions (president)
Must forge "effective instruments of collective leadership and purpose"
Party ideology remains the "foundation of majoritarian politics"
GOP Contract with America is an illustration
Need competitive, disciplined, and programmatic parties
The Challenge of Citizenship
Are people today capable of any public judgment?
People are too diverse in their ways of life
People are too pressed for time to recognize their common interests
People live in a world "not easily scaled down to the level of their daily lives"
Decentralization not a panacea
Institutions and problems are interdependent, both national and international
People cannot take an active role in all decisions; must delegate to leaders
Individualism (de Tocqueville) can degenerate into selfishness (undercut community)
Chief goal becomes narrow gain
Public is seen as only equal to public interests within it
Strength of contending interests becomes basis for just policy
Group membership is today more of a mail-order variety (money sent in response to a letter)
Many groups do not serve public interest, but are self-seeking
Participation in lobbying groups is not the same as active citizenship
Group activity is dominated by wealthier, better-educated people
A widening gap between the poor and rest of America
Engels had noted lack of class antagonism among poor
In 1980s, rate of inflation hurt lower-class wage increases, but not well-off
Changes in tax laws shifted tax burden downward
American business engaged in leveraged buyouts due to changes in taxes (led to drop in number of manufacturing jobs)
Technological/scientific changes threaten to create a permanent underclass
Richard Harwood’s study: Americans feel politically powerless, not apathetic
Democracy is a way of life, needs a proper foundation as noted by Jefferson:
Sound education, general prosperity.
Meaningful work, personal liberty
Exemplary Leadership and a free/vigorous press
Strong institutions, a broad sharing of political power, social tolerance
The Challenge of Ideals
Americans have been guided for more than two hundred years by the same set of ideals:
Liberty, equality, self-government, individualism, diversity, and unity
Today, less clear as to what can be done to advance these principles
America’s principles have never been fully reconcilable with each other
Self-government (many rule) vs. liberty (individualism)
No right can be granted today without cost to other values
Current challenges to full realization of ideals operating in unfavorable conditions
Sharing power and opportunity, not hoarding them
In past, U.S. enjoyed a high level of affluence and a belief in collective progress
Turner’s "West"
Past industrialization, and World War II aftermath
Since 1970s, U.S. has had to compete with other highly developed nations
Between 1945 and 1970, median family income rose by more than 100 percent
Between 1970 and 1995, median family income rose by less than 25 percent
The end of fast economic growth leads to more frequent social conflict
Still, societies need ideals and a governing vision; otherwise selfishness will result
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