POLS 206 American National Government Megan K Dyer September 4 2014 What is Politics Classic definition Politics is who gets what when and how Harold Lasswell 1935 This means Managing social conflicts between competing interests values Individuals groups have to reach agreement on a common course Who takes part Who decides Overview Collective Decision making Today 1 American democracy and political values 2 Who are political actors 3 Why do they act the way they do a What constrains the way they act b Why can it be difficult for groups of people to work together Democracy other values Popular government government by the people Mod democracy Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner Democracy other values The American political system has other values than democracy Liberty Individual rights Justice Rule of law Threats from an overweening majority Aside The Founders thoughts on democracy The democratization of the American political system Who Are Political Actors Who governs If our political system is democratic The American people must either be political actors themselves And or exercise control over the relevant political actors Who Are Political Actors TWO historical broad theories about who really governs the nation 1 Elite Theory Joseph Schumpeter A small group of people make the most important decisions The people choose between sets of elites Who Are Political Actors Who really governs the nation 2 Pluralist Theory Robert Dahl Government is open accessible Groups of citizens with shared interests influence public policy No single group can ever control any major policy area Who Are Political Actors 3 Hyperpluralism PLURALISM GONE WILD Too many interests too many groups Public policy is fragmented held hostage Makes it impossible to govern Who Are Political Actors Which do you think is closer to the truth 1 Elite Theory 2 Pluralist Theory 3 Hyperpluralism What Determines Political Actions Discussed Who might be the political actors Next HOW and WHY they act the way they do in politics What Determines Political Actions Many political scientists claim that political actors are rational They assume that individuals are rational actors have preferences outcomes they want more than others The act in accordance with them e g ice cream e g strong environmental policy What Determines Political Actions Is rationality perfect Information Bounded rationality Think of making rational choices like this What do I want What do I know Knowing what I do what should I do to get what I want Rationality and the Design of Government If political actors are rational the way government is designed to work will influence how they act Institutions like Congress the President the Supreme Court Rules the Constitution rules that affect lawmaking in Congress Institutions and rules shape outcomes Rationality and the Design of Government Rules constrict choices 1 The number and kinds of choices available 2 The consequences of one or more choices 3 The information an individual has about the choices and or consequences Rationality and the Design of Government Institutions Usually change slowly but can change over time Are not inherently fair Institutions are designed to favor some groups interests values over others 1 Institutional changes create new choices new outcomes 2 The use of institutions helps to resolve competing preferences Difficulties of Cooperation Institutions rules help individuals coordinate group actions i e Lawmaking Congressional rules mutually acceptable framework for getting things done e g alt But Sometimes they can make cooperation more difficult checks and balances this framework enables cooperation But adversarial powers that cause conflict e g veto override Difficulties of Cooperation Why is it so difficult for individuals and groups to cooperate and coordinate TWO Primary reasons 1 Coordination issues 2 Collective action problems Difficulties of Cooperation Coordination Issues A group of people all have similar preferences But organizing is a costly activity e g A group of people want to see an opening night movie e g some members of Congress favor certain tax policies Difficulties of Cooperation Collective Action Problems A mutually beneficial outcome exists for a group of people BUT it will not be achieved because people in the group have conflicting preferences E g The Prisoner s Dilemma The Prisoner s Dilemma The Prisoner s Dilemma Individuals pursue individual benefits at the expense of each other Even though the outcome would have been better if they cooperated e g Perp sweating two robbery suspects The Prisoner s Dilemma The Prisoner s Dilemma What happens Difficulties of Cooperation But that outcome MAY be avoided if Interactions are repeated Compliance is monitored over time Or if you change the benefits of certain actions Difficulties of Cooperation Real life prisoner s dilemma like situations E g organizing a tailgate Best outcome for you Worst outcome for you What if everyone chooses not to contribute E g two politicians decide whether or not to use negative ads Difficulties of Cooperation Collective action problems can occur when Individuals can benefit from collective action w o incurring costs Individual contributions will not make much of a difference This problem often occurs with public goods collective goods Difficulties of Cooperation A public good is Non excludable If provided to one person in a group must be provided to all regardless of who paid for it Non rivalrous The additional cost of 1 more person using it is virtually zero Examples National defense safe roads clean air and water a nice park Difficulties of Cooperation Public goods are often hurt by the free rider problem Free riding free rider problem Occurs when goods cannot be withheld from those who have not contributed to the production of the public goods Result Everyone has an incentive not to participate Difficulties of Cooperation Example political situations w free riding possible You and like minded people want Ted Cruz to be the next president but voting takes time and effort Congressmen decide whether to focus their time campaigning or trying to pass much needed legislation Difficulties of Cooperation Classic examples of free riding You don t pay your taxes for national defense You throw your trash out onto the road because its easier than collecting it in your car to throw away later You overfish the bay and deplete the fish stocks Difficulties of