Introduction: Crash Course U.S. Government and Politics

Summary

In this inaugural episode of Crash Course Government and Politics, host Craig introduces viewers to the importance of understanding government and politics to become informed citizens. He poses a series of thought-provoking questions about everyday life and government involvement, highlighting the various ways individuals can participate in politics beyond just voting. The episode sets the stage for a series that will delve into the intricacies of American government, political ideologies, and the role of media, aiming to empower viewers to engage actively in the political process.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Government is a set of rules and institutions that people establish to function together as a unified society, often referred to as a state, nation, or country.
• 🗳️ Voting is a key way to participate in government, but it is not the only method; citizens can also engage through various other activities.
• 💡 Politics involves the distribution of power within a government and the decision-making processes regarding who holds office.
• 🤔 The study of government and politics is essential for becoming informed citizens who can participate intelligently in the political process.
• 📚 Education is crucial for good citizenship; understanding how government works and how to participate is fundamental for effective leadership.
• 📧 Active citizenship can include contacting representatives, working on campaigns, displaying political support, and engaging in public discourse.
• 📊 Participating in politics also involves responding to public opinion polls, writing letters to the editor, and sharing views on social media platforms.
• 🎓 Knowledge of politics serves as a defense against manipulation by those who might exploit public ignorance for their own ends.
• 🌐 The media plays a significant role in shaping government and politics, influencing public opinion and the dissemination of information.
• 🏛️📈 The structure and function of government branches, the division of power, and the roles of political parties and interest groups are central to understanding American government.
• 📚 By the end of the series, viewers will have a deeper understanding of government operations and how to contribute to making it more responsive and inclusive.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the show 'Crash Course Government and Politics'?

The purpose of the show is to explore various aspects of government and politics, aiming to educate viewers on how these systems work and how they can participate in them more effectively.

Why do people often complain about taxes?

People may complain about taxes due to a lack of understanding about where their tax dollars go and how they are used to fund public services and infrastructure.

What is the significance of studying government and politics?

Studying government and politics is crucial for becoming better citizens who can participate in an informed way, understand the distribution of power, and make decisions that affect their lives and communities.

What does the term 'anarchy' refer to in the context of the script?

In the script, 'anarchy' refers to a state of society without government, which raises questions about societal order and the potential consequences of the absence of governing institutions.

Why is it important to participate in government beyond just voting?

Beyond voting, participation in government includes contacting representatives, working on campaigns, and engaging in discussions, all of which contribute to a more responsive and inclusive political process.

What are some unconventional ways mentioned in the script to participate in politics?

Unconventional ways to participate in politics mentioned in the script include displaying yard signs, blogging, making YouTube videos, tweeting, attending rallies, and even running for office.

What is the role of education in becoming a good citizen?

Education is essential for becoming a good citizen as it provides the necessary knowledge and understanding of how government works and how citizens can effectively participate in it.

How does the script differentiate between 'government' and 'politics'?

The script defines 'government' as a set of rules and institutions set up for society to function together, while 'politics' refers to the distribution of power within the government and the decision-making processes.

What is the significance of the USA being a republic and a democracy?

As a republic, the USA elects representatives to govern, and as a democracy, it allows citizens to participate in the government, emphasizing the importance of citizen involvement in the political process.

What are some of the topics that will be covered in the 'Crash Course Government and Politics' series?

The series will cover topics such as the structure and function of government branches, the division of power, political parties, interest groups, the role of media, the legal system, civil rights, and political ideologies.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Crash Course Government and Politics

Craig introduces the Crash Course Government and Politics series, posing a series of thought-provoking questions about everyday life and government involvement. He emphasizes the importance of understanding government and politics to become informed citizens. Craig explains the distinction between government as a set of rules and institutions and politics as the distribution of power within government. The video aims to explore the workings of the U.S. government and how individuals can participate beyond just voting, such as by engaging in discussions, contributing to campaigns, and educating themselves on political matters.

05:01

🗳️ Exploring Active Citizenship and the Role of Education

This paragraph delves into the various ways individuals can participate in government and politics beyond voting. Craig highlights the importance of contacting representatives, working on campaigns, and engaging in political discussions. He points out that participating in politics is like participating in sports, with winners and losers, but with more significant real-life implications. The paragraph underscores the significance of becoming educated about government to be an effective citizen and to prevent being manipulated by those who exploit ignorance. Craig concludes with a preview of the topics that will be covered in the series, such as the structure of government, political parties, media influence, and the legal system, with the goal of fostering a more responsive and inclusive government.

Keywords

💡Government

Government refers to the set of rules and institutions that people establish to function together as a society. In the video, it is discussed as a crucial element for understanding how a unified society operates, with examples such as the establishment of laws and regulations for public services like highways.

💡Politics

Politics is the process by which power is distributed within a government, particularly in terms of decision-making and the allocation of offices. The video emphasizes the importance of politics in shaping the distribution of power and the way individuals and groups influence decisions, like who gets elected to office.

💡Citizen Participation

Citizen participation is the act of being involved in the political process, which can take many forms beyond just voting. The video script highlights various ways citizens can participate, such as contacting representatives, working on campaigns, or engaging in public discourse, to stress the importance of active involvement in government.

💡Tax Dollars

Tax dollars represent the funds collected by the government from taxpayers, which are then allocated to various public services and programs. The video raises the question of where tax dollars go, suggesting that understanding this allocation is key to being an informed citizen.

💡Licensing

Licensing is the process of obtaining permission from the government to perform certain activities, such as driving, hunting, or practicing a profession like barbering. The video mentions licensing to illustrate the role of government in regulating activities for safety and order.

💡Voting Age

The voting age is the minimum age at which citizens are allowed to vote in elections. The video script points out the discrepancy between the legal age for drinking alcohol (21) and voting (18), raising questions about the rationale behind such age distinctions.

💡Regulations

Regulations are rules or directives made and maintained by the government to control certain behaviors or activities. The video refers to Wall Street regulations and Obamacare as examples of government regulations that impact various sectors of society.

💡National Debt

National debt is the total amount of money owed by a country's government. The video script mentions the national debt as a topic that can confuse people, indicating its significance in understanding a country's financial health and policy decisions.

💡Civil Rights and Liberties

Civil rights and liberties are the rights and freedoms that every citizen has, which are protected by the government and the legal system. The video discusses the role of courts in safeguarding these rights, emphasizing the importance of understanding how they are maintained and defended.

💡Political Ideologies

Political ideologies are sets of beliefs about how a society should be organized and governed. The video mentions various ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, socialism, and anarchism, to illustrate the diversity of political thought and its impact on government and politics.

💡Anarchy

Anarchy is a political philosophy that advocates for the absence of government and hierarchical authority. The video uses the concept of anarchy to explore what society might look like without government, and to discuss the potential implications of such a state.

Highlights

Introduction to Crash Course Government and Politics with Craig as the host.

Discussion on why people complain about taxes and who pays for public infrastructure like highways.

Questioning the reasons behind the use of specific textbooks in schools and licensing for various professions.

Exploring the age differences for drinking alcohol vs. voting and gambling, and the potential gambling nature of voting.

Inquiry into the confusion caused by terms like Wall Street regulations, Obamacare, and the national debt.

Investigation into the limited number of cell phone carriers and cable companies.

Debating the legality of prayer in schools by student groups vs. school principals.

Questioning the limits on police searches in various personal and public spaces.

Exploring the difference between free speech in public vs. consequences in employment for the same speech.

Understanding the difference between being sued and being fined in legal contexts.

Discussion on the government's role in actions and inactions, and the concept of anarchy without government.

The importance of studying government and politics to become better informed citizens.

Definition and explanation of government as a set of rules and institutions for a unified society.

Differentiation between government and politics, with politics being about power distribution and decision-making.

Highlighting the importance of citizen participation beyond just voting, such as contacting representatives and participating in campaigns.

Emphasizing the various ways individuals can be politically active, including social media, public opinion polls, and running for office.

Stressing the importance of education in government and politics for informed participation and defense against manipulation.

Overview of the series topics, including the structure of government, political parties, media role, legal system, and civil rights.

The goal of the series to help viewers understand government workings and how to improve it for personal and community benefit.

Introduction of next week's topic on Congress, its functions, and operations.

Credits and production notes for Crash Course Government and Politics, including support from PBS Digital Studios and Voqal.

Transcripts

Hi, I’m Craig. I’m not John Green, but I do have patches on my elbows, so I seem

smart. And this is Crash Course Government and Politics, a new show, hurray!

Why are fireworks legal or illegal? We might find out. Will we find out Stan?

Anyway, I have a question for you. Have you ever wondered where your tax dollars go or

why people complain about it so much? Or who pays for the highway that runs past your house?

Or why you use the textbooks you use in science class? Or why you need a license to drive,

or to hunt or to fish or to become a barber? I’ve always wanted to cut my own hair, back

when I had it. Have you ever wondered why you have to be

21 years old to drink alcohol but only 18 to vote? Or gamble. Sometimes voting is a

gamble - actually always. Do you get confused when you hear people talk about news about

Wall Street regulations, or Obamacare, or the national debt? Do you wonder why there

are so few cell phone carriers and cable companies? How about why it’s ok for student groups

to lead prayers in schools but not for the principal to do so? Have you ever wondered

if there are any limits on when, where, and how the police can search your home, or your

car, or your locker, or you, or your friend, or your grandma, or your grandma’s friend?

And do you know why you can stand outside a government office with a sign and a bullhorn

complaining about military action that you think is unfair and the police can’t stop

you, but you can be fired from your job for doing the exact same thing?

Have you ever been sued? Or fined? Ever wonder what the difference is between being sued

and being fined? Have you ever wondered why the government

does the things it does and why it doesn’t do other things? Have you ever wondered what

it would be like if we had no government at all? That would be anarchy. Can we play the

Sex Pistols, Stan? That’s probably illegal. Why is it illegal?

And probably the most important, have you ever thought about how you can change the

things that seem unjust or unfair or that you just don’t like?

Ok so that was more than one question, and obviously there isn’t a single answer to

all of those questions, except in a way, there is. The study of government and politics.

And that’s what we’re going to talk about today, and this whole series: Crash Course

Government and Politics - aptly titled.

[Theme Music]

So let’s start by doing what human beings do when confronted with complicated questions

they can’t answer. We’ll answer a simpler one. In this case, what are government and

politics and why do I need to learn about them.

Government is a set of rules and institutions people set up so they can function together

as a unified society. Sometimes we call this a state, or a nation, or a country, or Guam.

And I’ll use these terms somewhat interchangeably - except for Guam, that might be a little

confusing. So, we study government in order to become better citizens.

Studying government enables us to participate in an informed way. Anyone can participate,

but doing so intelligently that takes a little effort, and that’s why we need to learn

about how our government works. Politics is a little different. Politics is

a term we used to describe how power is distributed in a government. And in the U.S it basically

describes the decisions about who holds office and how individuals and groups make those

decisions. Following politics is a lot like following

sports in that there is a winner and a loser and people spend a lot of time predicting

who will win and analyzing why the winner won and the loser lost.

The outcome of an election might affect your life more than the outcome of a sports game

though. Unless you’re gambling - which might be illegal.

Government is really important. Everyone born in America is automatically a citizen, and

many people choose to become citizens every year so that they can have a say in the government.

The USA is a republic, which means that we elect representatives to govern us, and a

democracy, which means that citizens are allowed to participate. This ability to participate

is something we take for granted, but we shouldn’t. History tells us that that citizen participation

is the exception rather than the rule. But we’re not going to look at history. Who

has time? That’s what history courses are for with that other guy.

So one way people can participate in government is through voting. And many people will tell

you that that’s pretty much the only way we can participate in government and politics,

but THEY’RE WRONG. And I love pointing out when people are wrong. Let’s go to the Thought Bubble.

Sure, when you mark a ballot, you are participating in the political process, but there are so many other

things you can do to be an active citizen. You can contact your representatives and tell

them what you think about a political issue. People used to do this by writing letters

or sending telegrams, but now they tend to call or send email, although there’s nothing

like a good old-fashioned angry letter. People can work for campaigns or raise money

or give money. They can display yard signs or bumper stickers. They can canvass likely

voters, try to convince them to vote or even drive them to the polls on election day.

You participate in politics when you answer a public opinion poll. Or when you write a

letter to the editor or comment on an online article. You participate in politics when

you blog, or tumbl, or make a YouTube video, or tweet. I guess even YouTube comment counts.

First! Ever been to a march or a rally or held a

sign or worn a t-shirt with a slogan on it, or discussed an upcoming election at the dinner

table and tried to convince your parents who to vote for? You’ve participated in the

political process. And if you’ve actually run for office you’ve

participated, even if you didn’t win, and if you did win, congratulations, now get back

to work. You should already know this. But probably the most important thing you

can do to participate in government and politics is both the easiest and the most challenging.

Become more educated! Anyone can be a citizen, but to be a good citizen requires an understanding

of how government works, and how we can participate. It requires knowledge and effort and we have

to do it because otherwise we end up being led rather than being leaders. We learn about

politics because knowledge is our best defense against unscrupulous people who will use our

ignorance to get us to do things that they want rather than what we think should be done.

Thanks, Thought Bubble. That was my first Thought Bubble narration! Hurray! You guys

are fun. This is fun. So that’s where we come in. Over the course

of this series we will be looking in depth at American government and politics.

We’ll be talking about stuff like the structure and function of the branches of government,

the division of power between the national government and the state governments, what

political parties are, what they do, and how they are different from interest groups.

We’ll examine the role the media plays in government and politics, how the legal system

and the courts work and how they protect civil rights and civil liberties.

We’ll look at political ideologies: what it means when you say you are a liberal or

a conservative or a libertarian or a socialist or an anarchist – okay we probably won’t

talk about anarchy because that’s sort of the rejection of government. Again, Sex Pistols,

Stan? Can’t... copyright issue.

I’ll take care of it. ANARCHY - WOOO! I’ve been known to do that from time to time.

We’ll try to understand the forces that are shaping American government and politics

today. And we’ll work towards becoming more involved and developing our knowledge so that

we make our government more responsive and our politics more inclusive.

By the end of this series – and actually before the end – you will understand how

our government works and how you can make it work better for you and your community.

Not only will you be able to answer most of the questions I started this episode with,

but you will become, if you pay attention and think for yourself, a more engaged and

active citizen. And you might have a beard - if you don’t shave.

Next week we’ll talk about Congress, how it works, and what it does, when it does anything.

Thanks for watching, I’ll see you next week. And that’s my first Crash Course episode!

Are we out of poppers Stan? I’ll just throw ‘em… wooohoo! Bang! Wooo! Bang!

Crash Course Government and Politics is produced in association with PBS Digital Studios. Support

for Crash Course U.S. Government comes from Voqal. Voqal supports non-profits that use

technology and media to advance social equity. Learn more about their mission and initiatives

at Voqal.org. Crash Course was made by all of these nice people.

Thanks for watching. Can we call Craig Course, Stan? No? Crash Course Craig? ...Can't.