AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Democracy

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Democracy

Basic Definition:

System of selecting policymakers and of organizing government so that policy represents and respondsto the public’s preferences

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Democracy

Famous Quote about America:

Government of the people, by the people, and for the people

From?Gettysburg Address

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Democratic Theory

Key principlesthat specify how governmental decisionsare made in a Democracy

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Democratic Theory

According to political scientistRobert Dahl (Yale)

The ideal democratic processshould satisfy 5 criteria

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(1) Equality in Voting

“ One person, One vote”

Does not have to be . . . Universal

But must be . . . Representative

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(2) Effective Participation

Citizens must have

Adequate and Equal opportunitiesto express their preferences

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(3) Enlightened Understanding

Marketplace of ideas

Freedom of Speech & Press are essential

If one group monopolizesand distorts information, Citizens cannot truly understand

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(4) Citizen Control of the Agenda

Collective right to control the government’sPolicy Agenda

the issues that attract the attentionof public officials and other peopleinvolved in politics at any given time

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(4) Citizen Control of the Agenda

Problem:If one group has influence beyond its numbers (of people

represented)

Citizen control of the Agendawill be distorted

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Traditional Theory ~ 5 Criteria

(5) Inclusion

Government must includeand extend rights to All.

Citizenship must be open to all within a nationif it is to call itself Democratic.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Fundamental Principles

MAJORITY RULE

When choosing among alternative policies

The desires of the Majority should be respected

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Fundamental Principles

MINORITY RIGHTS

The Majority should not be able to doANYTHING it wants

Especially if what it wants to doseriously infringes on the rights of the Minority

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Fundamental Principles

REPRESENTATION

In a LARGE SOCIETY

Direct political involvement by all is impossible.Solution?Use of people to represent others in governmental decision making.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Contemporary Theories

An Important & Basic Question

WHO REALLY GOVERNS?3 Contemporary Theories . . .

* Pluralist* Elite & Class* Hyperpluralism

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Pluralist Theory

Groups with shared interests influence public policy by pushing for decisionsthat respond to their concerns.

Essentially optimistic that the “public interest” will eventually prevail through a process of bargaining and compromise.

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Pluralist Theory

“all active and legitimate groups in thepopulation can make themselves heard at some crucial stage in the process”

We are a “nation of joiners” Robert Dahl

Alexis de Tocqueville1830’s

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Pluralist Theory

Have Americans reduced this tendencyto be “joiners” & members of groups?

Robert Putnam (Harvard)2000

Technology has isolated people.We are more involved in self-defined ways instead of in groups

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Elite & Class Theory

Society is divided along class linesUpper class elite will hold significant powerWealth is the basis of this power

The wealthy can afford to finance election campaigns & control key institutions such as corporations

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Elite & Class Theory

“The people who own the country ought to govern it”

John Jay 1st Chief Justice

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Elite & Class Theory

“Many of our rich men have not been contentwith equal protection and equal benefits, but have besought us to make them richer by act of Congress”

Andrew Jackson 7th President

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Elite & Class Theory

“The 1980’s were the triumph of upper America – an ostentatious celebration of wealth, the political ascendancy of the richest third of the population, and a glorification of capitalism, free markets and finance”.

Kevin PhillipsNixon strategist

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Hyperpluralism

Groups are so strong that Government is weakened

Resulting in an extreme form of Pluralism

In a sense, groups treat government as their servant

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Hyperpluralism

Groups push for their own policiesat whichever level and branch of governmentmay result in policies they favor

Create “battlegrounds” atNational, State & Local levelsin Executive, Legislative, & Judicial branches

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS – Democracy

Hyperpluralism

Governments respond to all groups

Creating policies that areconfusing, contradictory & muddled . . .

The “public interest” is rarely well served