CHAPTER ONE: Freedom, Order, or Equality?
Government: the legitimate use of force within territorial boundaries
to control human behavior
Govern: to control
National Sovereignty: each government has the right to govern its people as it wishes,
without interference from other nations
How has globalization changed the idea of national sovereignty?
we get involved in other countries business due to our economic ties
The U.S. is the most powerful nation in the world.
Do other countries question our national sovereignty? YES
If so, in what areas?
Our use of the death penalty, our refusal to participate in the
International Criminal Court
Our treatment of prisoners
A. What are the Three Purposes of Government?
1. MAINTAIN ORDER--- How has the U.S. changed since 9-11??
Hobbes- Survival, "Leviathan" Locke- protect private property
2. PROVIDE PUBLIC GOODS
benefits to all--- roads, sewers, electric, police, fire, schools
3. PROMOTE EQUALITY
Economic: redistribute the wealth
Social: regulate social behavior --pass laws that give harsher sentences for hate crimes
B. What are the two most controversial purposes of government?
MAINTAINING ORDER & PROMOTING EQUALITY
C. Concept: a generalized idea that groups events, objects or qualities
under a common classification
There are FIVE Concepts used throughout this text:
Three Concepts identify the values pursued by government.
(What government tries to do)
a. Order
b. Freedom
c. Equality
**How Government chooses the proper mix of these three in its
policymaking has to do with the process of choice
D. Two concepts describe models of democratic government
(How governments impose the above three)
a. MAJORITARIAN DEMOCRACY
b. PLURALIST DEMOCRACY
I. The Concepts of Freedom, Order and Equality
A. Freedoms different uses
1. Freedom of- similar to the word ____LIBERTY____
Freedom of Speech, religion
absence(lack) of constraints in areas of speech and religion
2. Freedom from- _Immunity___from some type of __deprivation___
Freedom from need/poverty immunity from discrimination
fear/want
= MORE EQUALITY
B. Order
1) narrow view- involves ONLY the protection of life & property
"Libertarians" follow this ideology
2) Broad view – Encompasses social order and use of police power
“Leviathon”--you must control (use police force) to keep order
How do Americans feel about order? Pg. 18
C. Equality
1) Political equality: one person, one vote
2) Social equality: equality in wealth, education and status
a. Equality of opportunity: equal access to public goods &
social economic advancement
b. Equality of outcome: "ENTITLEMENTS"
social & economic equality as a result of government policies
to redistribute wealth & status
ex: workman's comp, welfare, social security etc.
D. TWO Major Dilemmas of Government
1) Original Dilemma: FREEDOM vs. ORDER
Examples:
Shouting fire in a movie theatre
No more hit lists in schools or threats
more security checks at airports, subways and on busses
Sobriety checks
traffic cameras to cite tickets
Art gallery exhibits
the Draft
Aids testing
FCC fines on Howard Stern and Janet Jackson
2) Modern Dilemma: FREEDOM vs. EQUALITY
Equal Pay Act
1990's Americans with Disabilities Act
includes drug addicts and alcoholics
Title IX--women and girls sports
Busing children in the 1970's
Benefits for same sex civil unions
education benefits for children of illegal immigrants
E. Scope of government: How far government should go to maintain order,
provide public goods and promote equality.
a. Ideology: consistent set of values & beliefs about the proper purpose &
scope of government
F. Continuum of ideologies based on beliefs about governmental scope (pg.22)
1) Totalitarianism: Controls ALL aspects of behavior
examples: Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Kim Jong Il
check out chart
on pg. 22
2) Socialism: the state/government has broad authority in the
economic life of the nation
Democratic Socialism--guarantees civil liberties along with more
equal outcomes
3) Capitalism:
Pure Capitalism-- private businesses operating without
government regulation
U.S. is a MIXED MARKET-- capitalism & some socialism
4) Libertarianism: opposed to ALL government action except
what is necessary to protect life and property
5) Anarchism: opposed to ALL government they value Freedom most
Liberals & Conservatives
1. Liberals:
a) favor broad scope of government in providing public goods
b) reject-censorship, regulation of abortion(personal issues)
2. Conservatives:
A) opposes government role as activists in our economy
B) Favors SMALL Government--scope of government --narrow
C) favors government regulation of social behavior
American political ideologies and the purpose of government
NEW Differences:
1. Conservatives
A) coercive power of the state may be used to force citizens to be orderly
B) preserve traditional patterns of social relations
2. Liberals
A) scope of government is broad
B) purpose of government is to promote equality
(coercive power of government can be used)