American Democracy Now Chapter 1: People, Politics, and Participation Chapter Summary: This chapter contains fundamentals of the study of politics and government, including the following: • The value of studying American politics • What government does • The types of government • The origins of American democracy—natural law, a social contract, and representative democracy • Political culture and American values • The study of ideologies • The changing demographic nature of American democracy Chapter Learning Objectives: Having studied this chapter, students should be able to do each of the following: • Define politics. • Describe the functions of government. • Explain the types of government. • Explain the origins of American democracy. • Identify and describe the key components of American political culture. • Understand the concept of political ideology. • Explain how the demographic characteristics of the U.S. population are changing. Chapter Outline: I. Why Should You Study American Democracy Now? A. How Technology Has Changed Politics B. The Political Context Now C. Americans’ Efficacy D. Civic Engagement: Acting