Introduction to US Politics Paul E Johnson http://courseware.ku.edu Syllabus, Study Guides, & Readings Links out to http://pj.freefaculty.org/ps110/presentations Textbook Fiorina, Peterson, Johnson, Mayer New American Democracy, 7th Ed (Pearson 2011) Lecture Outlines Lectures: not based on textbook, but cover many similar topics You get tested on both readings and lectures By 7pm of day before lecture: 1 http://pj.freefaculty.org/ps110/presentations How you get graded Test 1 The Constitution: (10%) 2 midterms during lecture time (2 x 20%=40%) One Final: comprehensive (40%) Discussion (quizzes & partic) (10%) 90-80-70-60 Discussion Sections are Vital Separate Reading Schedule Readings online and available in “course pack” from Political Science Main office, Blake 504 You must attend & participate Quizzes What about you? Any fresh-persons here? Don't be drunken idiots. What about Me? What do I like? Sub Sandwiches Linux: The Free & Open OS Saving Our Planet Caring for Plants and Nature Eating My Home Town Todo List #1 Stop making fun of people from Missouri Todo List #2 Clean up office Todo #3. Teach Political Science 1 I have many “big ideas” to share! 2 Here’s one for today: Division of authority is Ubiquitous (common, ever present), and Problematic (source of failure, disappointment) Division of authority Life would be simple if the same one person could Have an idea Figure how do get it done Do it That’s really 2 problems 1: “We” have to decide what to do, and 2: “We” have to get somebody to do it. Terminology Principal-Agent Problem Principal: who wants something done (but cannot do it) Agent: “expert” hired to try to do the job Slippage is possible Can’t monitor (P. lacks time) Agent has unique expertise (P. lacks skill) Outcome does not necessarily reflect effort Transaction Costs: Principal must either Cancel the project Gamble on the agent’s good will Impose wasteful/tedious monitoring mechanisms Things we have agents do Regulate banks (Federal Reserve) Control obscenity on TV Janet’s Wardrobe Malfunction Where’s your “take away” information? We usually assume that intention == result That’s generally not true when the PA problem exists Does this make me a “conservative”? Sometimes Sometimes it makes me a more-strategic “liberal”.