Political Science trying to be a science doesn't make it a science, but it approaches actionable results. Trump, Obama campaigns use "Hope and Change," or "MAGA" based on how voters interact with the political system. Or presentations based on hard work vs god/religious messages. Data collection and targeted messaging is getting better. # American Gov and Process The government is slow/inefficient, but this is how it was designed by the founders. What did they want? - Feared tyranny = distrust of power (in general) - System of government - Divides power (branches balance each other's power) - Competitive: {bicameral legis. competes, states compete, branches compete} for power - Checks and Balances, Federalism - Government is slow, piecemeal, and balanced Types of Gov (formal structure that rules people) - Who governs? Autocracy = one, oligarchy = group, democracy = people - How much gov control? Authoritarian = ( state > individual rights ), often violent Totalitarian = ( state eliminates other forms of power, transforms society ), always violent Constitutional = power, rights, responsibilities designed beforehand - Other, more complex classifications