This new series demystifies the vagaries of a democratic government in the 21st century. Created for a university audience, it is linked with Harvard University historian, Tom Patterson's textbook, "We the People," published by McGraw-Hill. Concepts are illustrated with case studies and interviews with leading scholars and politically engaged citizens, respected politicians and policymakers such as Kay Lehman Schlozman, David Gergen, Mike McCurry, and Mickey Edwards among others. Featured topics include: American political culture and ideology; development of our constitutional democracy; the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government; granting civil liberties and civil rights; the electoral process and voter participation; interest groups; public opinion and the media in politics; and the creation of economic, social and foreign policy.
American Heritage - American politics today cannot be understood apart from the nation's heritage. This episode examines the key principles that have shaped American politics since the country's earliest years.
The American Experiment - This narrative story of the settlement and early days of the colonies culminates in the fight for independence and the evolution of a constitutional framework of government for the new United States.
The Living Constitution - The Constitution in contemporary terms reveals a short document-7,000 words long. Only thirty-three of the more than 11,000 amendments that have been proposed have been approved by Congress. Twenty-seven have been ratified. Nevertheless, the Constitution is an unfinished work.
A Question of Sovereignty - One national government; fifty state governments; town, city, and county governments - there are various ways of ordering relations between central governments and local units. Federalism is one of them. Understanding federalism and how it differs from other forms of government is critical to understanding the American political system.
The Most Basic of Rights - Without government, people live in a state of anarchy. With unbridled government, men and women may live in a state of tyranny. The civil liberties imbedded in the Bill of Rights place specific limitations on governmental power
Rights of the Accused - Because the United States has a high violent crime rate, it is not surprising, therefore, that many citizens have strong opinions about the rights of the accused. At the basis of this discussion are the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendments of the Constitution-amendments that specifically address the rights of criminal defendants.
The Struggle for Equality - In this program we examine the rights of minorities and groups, and their struggle for equal treatment in the United States.
Frames of Reference - The United States is a country marked by divergent political views. Public opinion plays a powerful role in the politics of this country. In fact, the scientific measurement of public opinion has become a permanent fixture of the political scene.
Voice of the People - Americans attach great significance to the right to vote. In addition to voting, citizens participate in the political process through community and campaign activities, and by participating in social movements and protests.
Party Politics - The patterns of party politics in the United States provide a fascinating platform from which to view American political history. Divergent interests join with others in creating a common political agenda, often under the Republican or Democrat banner.
Campaign Trail - Today, party organizations are alive and well in America, but they are no longer the driving force in contemporary campaigns. This episode looks at organizing and financing campaigns through the eyes of candidates, strategists, managers and critics.
Pressure Politics - The degree to which Americans form groups to solve civic problems and lobby for their economic or political interests is unique among the nations of the world. The structure of government, particularly at the local level, invites public participation.
The Fourth Estate - On a daily basis, more Americans connect to politics through the news media than through the activities of parties or groups. The press brings events and problems into public view, serves as a channel through which political leaders can address the public, and scrutinizes political behavior.
The First Branch - The founders of the American republic believed that the bulk of power exercised by a national government should be in the hands of the legislature. This episode follows three current and past members of Congress and it examines the differences between the ways the Senate and House of Representatives operate.
Government by Committee - Most of the actual work of legislating is performed by the committees and subcommittees within Congress. This episode explores the various routes bills may take before being enacted into law.
The Glorious Burden - This episode explores the foundations of the modern presidency, and takes viewers from the campaign for nomination to staffing the executive branch of government.
Leader for a Nation - Without congressional authorization and funding, most presidential proposals are nothing but ideas, empty of action. Whether a president's initiatives are likely to succeed or fail depends on several factors, including the stage of the president's term, the president's support in Congress, and the level of public support for the president's leadership.
The Federal Workplace - Modern government would be impossible without a bureaucracy. Yet the bureaucracy is also a problem. Today's civil servants, governed by stringent rules and regulations, are encumbered by regulatory impediments that would appall their private sector counterparts.
The Power Imperative - Although agencies are subject to scrutiny by the president, Congress, and the judiciary, bureaucrats are able to achieve power in their own right. This episode depicts the nature of the federal bureaucracy and the politics that surrounds it.
The Rule of Nine - The writers of the Constitution were determined that the judiciary would be a separate branch of the federal government but, for practical reasons, did not spell out the full structure of the federal court system.
Legal Precedent - In recent years the judiciary has become an increasingly powerful policymaking body. The courts have considerable discretion in the way they interpret these laws. This episode probes contemporary questions regarding the federal judiciary including the debate surrounding originalism, textualism, judicial review, and judicial activism.
Balancing Act - This episode focuses on the economic role of government: its promotion and regulation of economic interests, its fiscal and monetary policies, the politics of economic decision making, and the management of the public debt.
The Nation's Welfare - Just what government's role should be in alleviating poverty, which affects about one in seven Americans is an intensely debated, partisan issue.
Health of the Nation; Health of the Planet - This episode looks at various governmental attempts to insure a healthy America, from the work of various research agencies and regulatory units to specific governmental programs, like Medicare and Medicaid.
Global Politics - This episode takes a close look at the foreign policy of the United States and shares the first-hand experiences of those who were involved in its formulation.
Preserve, Protect, and Defend - Since September 11, 2001, the protection and defense of the United States has occupied center stage. This episode looks not only at the nation's response to the terrorist attacks, but also examines the defense and "peace keeping" policy of the country in the post-Cold War.
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