Slideshow describing how essay is

1. Formal Branches of the U.S. Government text Legislative Branch Congress House of Representatives & Senate The People fully informed on facts and ideological possibilities; fully engaged in political life Executive Branch Presidency Cabinet White House Offices The Bureaucracy Judicial Branch Supreme Court Federal Court System

2. Political Institutions in the U.S.Persistent structures and mechanisms of social order, control, and cooperation in a human collectivityThe formal and informal “rules of the game” which, in a democracy,should be a complex, multiparty system with multiple “winners”Civil SocietyVoluntary civic and social organizations and institutions(government institutions are backed by force)(markets are commercial institutions created and maintained by business and government)This provides the social glue which allows people to work together, nurture one another, and take collective action(contrast with atomizing, anti-democratic institutions)

3. Political Institutions in the U.S. Political Socialization – how get our foundational, background ideas Public Opinion – what “the people” think and how we know it Mass Media – the means for acquiring information or distributing propaganda Interest Groups (lobbyists) – organizations with hired staff expert in pressuring Congress Social Movements – large groupings of individuals or organizations for social change. Political Parties – formal organizations seeking to elect and appoint political officials Voting – formal and informal regulation of who can vote, where, and when Campaigns – public information and pressure to gain election for a candidate Elections – the process of selecting political officials

4. Government Policy Domestic enforce law and order, private property, contracts strengthen civil society, social relations: e.g. education mitigate the effects of industrial capitalism; e.g. health/welfare, regulation create mechanisms for social justice Foreign safeguard the nation’s and citizens’ interests around the world achieve the nation’s goals in international relations project U.S. power around the globe project and protect the interests of U.S. corporations

5. Link Political Institutions and Policy A major issue in society (e.g. the availability of oil and the consequences of its use)