Department
of Politics and Society
University of California, Irvine
Spring 1996
CAN THE GOVERNMENT GOVERN?
AN INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN POLITICS
As we approach the close of the 20th century, Americans seem to be profoundly
dissatisfied with many aspects of the political system. Notions of deadlock,
stalemate, and, of course, "gridlock," have become part of the popular vernacular.
Opinion polls suggest that the public is increasingly cynical about politics
and downbeat about the future of the nation. At the heart of these issues is
a crucial question: Can the government govern? Or, to put the point another
way, can American democracy as it is presently constituted meet the economic
and social challenges that we face at this juncture in our history? In this
course we will use this question as the basis for our exploration of the contemporary
American political system. We will begin with a consideration of the basic architecture
of the Constitution (the separation of powers, federalism) and then move on
to a discussion of how interests are organized and represented in politics,
how American political institutions actually operate, and the kinds of policies
that eventually are produced. As we explore these different aspects of our governmental
system, we will always ask what incentives our elected officials and other political
actors (such as the news media, interest groups, etc.) are facing, and how these
incentives structure their behavior. If the incentives encourage endless conflict,
blame-avoidance, demagoguery, and very little compromise, then we may be in
serious trouble. If, on the other hand, there are real and continuing incentives
for coming up with public policies that serve the national interest, then there
is less to worry about. Since I believe the former is at least as likely as
the latter, we will also be considering various proposals to reform American
politics as the course proceeds.
Required Texts:
Edward S. Greenberg and Benjamin I. Page, The Struggle for Democracy (G&P)
Tip O'Neill with William Novak, Man of the House: The Life and Political Memoirs
of Speaker Tip O'Neill
Bob Woodward, The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House
Course Reader (a set of articles available for purchase at the university bookstore).
SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND READINGS
STRUCTURES: ONGOING INCENTIVE SYSTEMS
1. Introduction to the Course and Key Concepts
G&P, Chapter 1; O'Neill, Prologue.
2. The Making of the Constitution
G&P, Chapter 2; Declaration of Independence; The Constitution; Federalist
Papers Nos. 10 and 51;
Course Reader (entire).
3. The Logic of Federalism
G&P, Chapter 3
4. American Political Culture
G&P, Chapters 4 and 5.
5. The Market as Prison?
G&P, Chapter 4
POLITICS: ORGANIZING INTERESTS AND ACCESSING GOVERNMENT
6. Interest Groups and Social Movements
G&P, Chapters 7 and 10.
7. Political Parties and Elections
G&P, Chapters 8 and 9; O'Neill, pp. 27-119.
8. The Mass Media
G&P, Chapter 6.
GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNING: HOW INCENTIVES MATTER
9. Congress: The Electoral Connection
G&P, Chapter 11; Chapter 4; O'Neill, finish entire book.
10. The Presidency and the Executive Branch
G&P, Chapters 12 and 13: Woodward, entire book.
11. The Courts and Civil Rights
G&P, Chapters 14 and 15.
CONCLUSION
12. Beyond the Frozen Republic
G&P, Afterword.