Course Descrition and Objective

Class,

Course Description and Objective

This course will focus on the ideas and practice of contemporary government and politics in the United States enabling students to obtain an introduction to the constitutional foundations of our governments political institutions, and the development of current U.S. policies. A general education course, the class emphasizes how the American political system produces the kind of policies that it does, as well as a working knowledge of the actors and institutions that govern those outcomes. The primary goal of this course is to improve the student’s ability to read, write, and think with a greater degree of sophistication, imagination, and precision.
Prof. Mike

What is Political Science?

Political Science

Politics has been defined in terms of governance, power, and as the authoritative allocation of values, and, even who gets what, when, and how. But no simple definition can capture the broad range of subject matter that is included in political science. You can get some idea of the scope of the discipline from the four main sub-fields that make up the undergraduate curriculum: Political Theory, Comparative Government International Relations, and American Government.

Political scientists study topics such as the exercise of power and influence; sources and resolution of conflicts; the relationship of politics to the economy, culture, and other aspects of society; the adoption and implementation of public policies; and the development of political systems. These topics are studied at all levels, from local communities to the global community.

However politics is defined, it is clear that actions in the political arena have vital effects on our lives, liberties, and well-being. From this standpoint, political science deals with how we reach the collective decisions that shape our common fate.

The American Dream

Class,

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN DREAM?

This nation of ours is unique. You may not realize it and most of us surely take it for granted. We may complain about the economy but just try to explain the Price Club to a Russian or a Cuban. We may complain about our government or our President but in how many other countries is the press free to report out leaders indiscretions? We have so much and yet we complain so much … actually I believe it is the ability to complain that makes America great. It is the freedom to dissent, to rail against the incumbent powers. This freedom to disagree is what makes us so special and it is this very freedom that is the very essence of America. What is the American dream? Surely it is different for everyone. For some it is wealth or power. For others it is religious freedom and justice. For others it may be a roof over their heads. How has this nation been able to provide these things … we shall see.

Values and Ideals.

What are values and ideals? They are things we stand for, things we feel are right and correct. In America our values and ideals are: 1. Justice 2. Liberty 3. Fairness 4. Democracy 5. Equality

Why is understanding the American dream so important?

1. We vote and influence government via democracy and we should know what this nation is supposed to be about before we make these serious and important decisions.

2. Policies should be consistent with stated ideals.

3. We have a responsibility to the nation and the world because our unique status as an economic and military superpower.

How has the dream, our ideological roots, been created?

1. Mores (the values of society) and culture developed over time. Our values have been shaped by our forefathers and our foremothers. Our history and the legacy of those that came before have created our culture.

2. Religion teaches values and influences us.

3. Enlightenment thinkers from the 1600’s like Locke, Montesquieau, Rousseau, Hobbes, Machiavelli and Voltaire have had a great impact on our government and our political philosophy.

A. Locke - The Declaration of Independence - natural rights “In a state of nature all men are free and equal.” “In a state of nature no man ought to harm another.” - consent of the governed “In order to remedy problems resulting from a state of nature … men enter into contract, thereby creating a civil society … to defend the natural rights of men.” - life, liberty and property (later changed to “pursuit of happiness” by Jefferson “Man acquires property through the products of their labor.” - right to rebel “If a government violates the social contract … it rebels against the people, and the people have the right to dissolve the government.” This meant that government was created by the people and the people gave up absolute freedom in exchange for safety against problems. The concept is called “consent of the governed.” Consent is given by what is referred to as a “social contract.” This also says that if the government violates the social contract the citizens have the right to remove the government because it was the citizens that created the government. This is called the “right to rebel.” These four concepts are the basic philosophical foundations of the nation!

B. Voltaire - 1st Amendment - Freedom of Speech “I may disagree with what you say but I will defend till death your right to say it.”

C. Montesquieau - Constitution - separation of powers, checks and balances - divided government into three branches

D. Machiavelli and Hobbes - endorsed a strong government - became part of the basis of federalism

4. The Mayflower Compact - 1620

A. The Pilgrims wrote out their laws and created their government before they even set foot in America so that the society would have a basis in law. This written “compact” was the foundation of their society.

B. This was a written “social contract.”

C. It illustrates the idea of consent of the governed because it was created by the governed. They all agreed to give up absolute and object freedom in exchange for rule of law.

5. Revolutionary ideas like those of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine created a nation out of rebellion. Dissent is the very basis of this nation, it is our heritage.

6. Immigrants have stocked this great nation. We are a nation of immigrants. We come from every continent and every nation. Immigrants come here for economic opportunity, religious freedom, and to seek justice. These are our values because we are all the children of immigrants.