Am. Gov. Final Exam Review - Week 16: Who Governs? To What Ends?

Focus on Governmental Reform Movements.
Key Facts:

I.                    Key Questions on government

a.       Who Governs?

b.      To what ends?

II.                  No easy answers

a.       Everything depends on

                                                               i.      The policy being proposed

                                                             ii.      The opportunities to mobilize

1.       For opponents

2.       For proponents

III.                Changes over time

a.       Responsibilities and activities of Government have expanded

b.      New Challenges to Government

                                                               i.      Gov’t Structure

                                                             ii.      Ideals of Gov’t

IV.                Proposed reforms

a.       Can be sweeping (broad, expansive)

                                                               i.      One example: replacing Congressional system with Parliamentary one

b.      Effect will always be limited

                                                               i.      In how much they affect gov’t efficiency

                                                             ii.      Motivation behind reforms limit the speed of the reforms

c.       Motivation for reforms

                                                               i.      Public Opinion

                                                             ii.      Preserving rights = top goal\

                                                            iii.      Attempt to shape government

1.       Attempt to make gov’t more accountable

2.       Desire for more responsive leadership

V.                  Effects of attempts to change government

a.       May be effective

b.      Typically slow to take effect

Key Questions

1. What motivates political change?

2. Why doesn't political change take effect immediately?