Professional Documents
Culture Documents
President Obama is giving a State of the Union address tonight- Why? a. He needs to shore up support b. Congress requested he do so c. The Constitution requires an annual report d. Its a tradition started when television became available
2009, Pearson Education
Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson, and Mayer New American Democracy, Sixth Edition
Types of Government
Government by One Person monarchs and dictators Actons quote on absolute power Government by the Few aristocracy: leaders chosen by birth oligarchy: leaders chosen by virtue of wealth, power or membership in political party Government by the Many Democracy: system in which governmental power is widely shared among the citizens, usually through free and open elections
2009, Pearson Education
Reform?
Americans frustrated by nature of government, but should view proposals for radical reform cautiously. Examples calls for more popular democracy more elections more opportunities to exert popular pressure or more power for elected officials Such reforms overlook the tremendous popular pressure from a diverse public that political leaders are already under. That may be part of the problem, not the solution.
Figure 1.3 The Total Costs of American Elections Have Increased Dramatically in The Last Five Decades
Note: All figures have been adjusted For inflation in terms of 2001 CPI Dollars.