theories of democratic government. power and authority

Theories of DemocraticGovernment


• Power and Authority



Power is the ability to get another to act in accord with one’s intentions.



Authority is the legal right to use power.



Authority is the legal right to use power.

In most countries, including the United States, the right to exercise authority comes from legal or constitutional sources.


• Citizens accept decisions made by the government if they believe those decisions come from people who have the right to make them.


• Citizens accept decisions made by the government if they believe those decisions come from people who have the right to make them.

In most countries, including the United States, the right to exercise authority comes from legal or constitutional sources.

• Question:

What makes a law or a constitution a source of authority?


• Answer:

Legitimacy


• In the United States, legitimacy of the government, in the minds of Americans, is based on the concept of democracy.


• The Meaning of Democracy




Democracy (1):



Democracy (1):

“The rule of the many” Aristotle

• Aristotle believed that a government was democratic if all, or at least most, citizens participated directly by holding office and making policy.



• Aristotle believed that a government was democratic if all, or at least most, citizens participated directly by holding office and making policy.

• This is often called direct or participatory democracy.



Democracy (2):



Democracy (2):

Leaders gain office and power by means of a competitive contest for the votes of the people.



Democracy (2):

Leaders gain office and power by means of a competitive contest for the votes of the people.

This is often referred to today as a representative democracy.

• Because of the shear size of the U.S., it is impractical for the people to decide on all public issues, so representatives must be elected to formulate policy.


• Problems with representative government




1. There must be competitive elections for top leadership positions.



1. There must be competitive elections for top leadership positions.

2. Communication must be free and untainted so that voters can make meaningful choices.



3. Political parties must be allowed to compete.



3. Political parties must be allowed to compete.

4. Decisions over which offices should be elected and which appointed.



5. How many candidates should be allowed to compete before choices become hopelessly confused.



5. How many candidates should be allowed to compete before choices become hopelessly confused.

6. Who should pay for campaigns?

• Because of these problems, some argue that some of the virtues of direct democracy could play a role in today’s complex society.



• Because of these problems, some argue that some of the virtues of direct democracy could play a role in today’s complex society.

• This can be done with the use of referendums and initiatives.

• Referendums:

Policy choices that are placed on the ballot at the suggestion of the citizens themselves.



• Referendums:

Policy choices that are placed on the ballot at the suggestion of the citizens themselves.

• Initiatives:

Policy choices that are placed on the ballot by the state legislatures.

• Distribution of Political Power




Even in a democracy, policy will reflect the views of those who are most sufficiently motivated to participate actively in policy-making.


This group is usually small and sometimes does not represent the majority of the voters.



This group is called the political elite and represents the actual distribution of power in making and implementing policy.



This group is called the political elite and represents the actual distribution of power in making and implementing policy.

They are identifiable groups that possess a disproportionate share of power.


• Theories on Political Elites



1. Marxist Theory:



1. Marxist Theory:

Marxist believe that all societies are divided into economic classes based on their relationship to the economy.


• Marxist also believe that the U.S. government is “a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.”


• Marxist also believe that the U.S. government is “a committee for managing the common affairs of the whole bourgeoisie.”

In other words, the government only represents the rich.



2. Nongovernmental Elitist Theory:



2. Nongovernmental Elitist Theory:

An elite group, primarily outside of the government, makes most of the major decisions.


A coalition of three groups, (corporate leaders, top military leaders, and a handful of key political leaders) sets the most important policies along with leaders of the major communications media, major labor leaders, and the heads of various special interest groups.




3. Bureaucratic Theory:


3. Bureaucratic Theory:

Most political power belongs to bureaucrats, those who operate government agencies.


• Regardless of who comes to power, those in charge of government agencies continue to have most of the control to set policy.


• Technical experts, know as “technocrats” are needed more and more as policy decisions become more complex.




4. Pluralist Theory:



4. Pluralist Theory:

Political resources like money, prestige, expertise, organizational position, and access to the media are so widely distributed that no single elite has a monopoly on them.

• In addition, there are so many levels of government that no single group, even if it had vast resources, could dominate the political process.


• Political Change



Who governs and how government behaves are two questions answered differently with changing circumstances.



What government does today is heavily influenced by what it did yesterday.


• Example 1:

In the 1920s the general rule was that the federal government should play a minimal role in individual lives.


• Example 1:

In the 1920s the general rule was that the federal government should play a minimal role in individual lives.

From the 1930s through the 1970s that view changed and government began to provide a “safety net” all Americans.


• Example 1:

In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan began to reverse that trend by cutting taxes, spending less on social programs, and reducing federal regulations on businesses. Thus less government involvement.


• Example 2:

American policy in foreign affairs has seen many changes. When the nation was founded, policy was a response to the actions of France and England.


• Example 2:American policy in foreign affairs has

seen many changes. When the nation was founded, policy was a response to the actions of France and England.

By the 1840s, the U.S. looked toward expansion into lands owned by Mexico and Canada.


• Example 2:

In the 1890s the U.S. practiced colonialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific.


• Example 2:

In the 1890s the U.S. practiced colonialism in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

From isolationism between the World Wars to the role of international leader after World War II.


• Political change is not always accompanied by changes in policy and law, but the policy process is one of the best guides to who governs and how they govern.


theories of democratic government. power and authority

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